Building Resilience: Being Good Enough!
Being Good Enough!
Being a “perfect parent” is an impossible task to accomplish even in the best of circumstances, let alone during a pandemic. Be kind to yourself! Do the best you can and remember that your best varies from moment to moment depending on many factors (sleep, hunger, work stress, sleep, worry, sleep!). If you lose your temper and feel bad about it afterwards, apologize and model for your child that we all make mistakes by saying, “I’m sorry.” If you are striving for something as a parent right now, strive to be a “good enough” parent or caregiver; you can’t get it “right” all the time. And you can’t change the reality of the COVID-19 circumstances.
This quote from Emily W. King, Ph.D., nicely summarizes the current struggle for parents and caregivers:
Public Service Announcement
Parents: What we are being asked to do is not humanly possible. There is a reason we are either a working parent, a stay-at-home parent, or a part-time working parent.
Working, parenting, and teaching are three different jobs that cannot be done at the same time.
It’s not hard because you are doing it wrong. It’s hard because it’s too much. Do the best you can.
When you have to pick, because at some point you will, choose connection. Pick playing a game over arguing about an academic assignment. Pick teaching your child to do laundry rather than feeling frustrated that they aren’t helping. Pick laughing, and snuggling, and reminding them that they are safe.
If you are stressed, lower your expectations where you can and virtually reach out for social connection. We are in this together to stay well. That means mentally well, too.
Keep in mind that in ten years, your children probably won’t remember the academics they were doing during these months. Getting through this with some grace, laughter, togetherness and love is what they will remember.
Note: Mental health is always important, but during times of crisis it is paramount. The following guidelines are designed to support you in finding ways to cope, understanding how to practice self-care, and nurturing your connection with your child. Building Resilience: Parenting During a Pandemic is a joint effort between Louisiana Children's Museum and Tulane Institute of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health.
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