6 Tips for Parenting During a Pandemic While Managing Stress

Unfortunately, there isn’t a parenting book out there that leads you down the right path to navigate a pandemic with kids. On a normal day, being a parent is the most difficult job there is. But now we have all been thrown into a new parenting situation that has left us ALL pretty exhausted and burnt out. We are ALL dealing with extra frustrations and stress. Many people have lost their jobs or even their lives due to this pandemic. Our mental health and stability have been tested. Relationships have been strained, and so many of us are just trying to stay afloat the best way we know how. Teaching our kids coping skills may be the last thing on our minds, but it is more important now than ever before.

Teaching Kids Coping Skills During a Pandemic

The other day, my son turned to me in the car and said, “I really hate these mean germs, Mommy. Why won’t they just go away!?” I was both taken aback and sad all at once. He knows he has to wear a mask when we go out, but he hasn’t really shown me his true frustrations like that before.

I sort of froze because, to be honest, I didn’t know how to react.

He was sad. I could almost see the anger he felt building up, and I could tell that he sort of realized he wasn’t living the normal life that he used to. He is 5, and we don’t have many in-depth conversations to discuss what’s going on in the world. I try to stick to the basics, but even then, it can be very confusing for a kindergartner.

But it is our job as parents to teach our children how to cope with stressful situations and provide them with the tools they need to get through tough times. It’s important to ask yourself some key questions:

• Am I being a good role model for my kids?
• How am I handling my stress in front of them?
• Am I showing my kids the responsible way to navigate through these tumultuous times?
• Am I trying my best to be a good parent and learn from the mistakes I’ve made?

Why is Managing Stress Important?

Surprisingly, a person’s ability to problem solve is directly linked to how well they manage stress. As early as age 3, children can learn problem solving skills and emotional coping mechanisms that will carry into adulthood.

Modeling responsible behavior and appropriate stress management for our children is extremely important. They see and absorb everything going on around them, even at a very young age. And that means they see how you handle stress in your own life.

After a long day working, home schooling, and taking care of the kids, do you turn to a drink to take the edge off?

It’s true, I find myself drinking alcohol a bit more these days because of the amount of stress on my plate. But with our kids watching our every move, it is extremely important to show them how to handle stress appropriately.

We can better equip our children to deal with day-to-day challenges and stresses without outside help, whether from us or from other sources, like alcohol. As parents, it is so important to ensure our children receive the right messages about stress management and responsible alcohol consumption.

1. Cut Yourself Some Slack

2. Stay Curious and Open to Learning

3. Take Care of Yourself First

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Apologize

6. Check in with Others

It is important to lean on your loved ones and seek guidance or just someone to vent to. Sometimes, it is helpful to know a close friend or family member experiences similar emotions and feelings.

When you are surrounded by the same few people (especially the kiddos) day in and day out, it can be difficult.

If you are feeling that loss of connection with others, there are ways to stay connected. Setting up a video call with friends or family after the kids to go bed is a great way to vent and unwind in the presence of adults. Virtual game nights with some of your couple friends or socially distanced get togethers, if possible, are also great ways to stay connected with people.

BONUS: #TalkEarly About Drinking Responsibly

Now is a great time to start (or continue) the conversation with your children about how to drink responsibly! Your children may be seeing your interactions with other adults or your own relationship with alcohol more often now. Be open in sharing your experiences with your children in these instances. It’s the perfect way to open the discussion early.

Responsibility.org is an excellent resource for conversation starters and how to approach the topic at all ages and stages. Talking with your kids about alcohol early and often really is the best way to help prevent underage and irresponsible drinking as your children grow and become more easily influenced by outside sources.

Remember, parents are the leading influence on their kids’ decisions to drink – or not to drink – alcohol.

Final Thoughts on Teaching Kids Stress Coping Skills

The tantrums, the crying, the fighting and the outbursts – this is all normal right? And the answer is YES, you are not alone. We are all struggling. So we are all experiencing this together!

Let’s be honest, we are faced with an unnatural amount of time with one another. That time together can easily amount to frustrations, outbursts, tantrums, and elevated stress levels.

Be kind to yourself. Know you are not alone. Build trust and honesty with your kids. And know that teaching kids coping skills can be as easy as modeling responsible behavior for your children as often as you can!

XO, CG

I am proud to be a #TalkEarly blogging ambassador for Responsibility.org. This is a Sponsored Post! While I have received compensation, all opinions are my own.