Hello Wildcats and Parents! This is quite a wild time we are in. Thank you for your patience and persistence as we all walk these uncharted waters. Please be patient with yourselves as well as our staff. Here are some tips to remember: How does the fear and uncertainty of what's to come affect all of us? Humans rely on predictability. We are built to read our environment, anticipate what comes next and prepare ourselves for it. We do it consistently to manage our day-to-day. Under normal circumstances, we feel some stress when there's uncertainty. Look for small victories as you go throughout your day. How can parents help their kids? Create routines. It doesn't have to be like the military, but kids need the world to be predictable more than they need it to be consistently pleasant. Anything we can do to move toward routines, the better. What's hard is that parents have lost their routines as well. So, be gentle with yourself and your child. What should we be on the lookout for with our kids? Be careful about negative coping mechanisms. These include withdrawal and mistreating others. Even if what they're doing is unhealthy, they're doing it as a way to feel better. The trouble with unhealthy coping mechanisms is that they offer some relief in the short term but make things worse in the long term. We should encourage them to find ways to feel better that will not hurt themselves or others. Pay attention to how YOU are feeling! Take time to relax: Sometimes, our minds and bodies just need a break. Meditation, mindfulness, and other replenishing activities (yoga, walks, etc.) Take the time to notice your feelings then pause and let go of the pressures of the day. Also, don’t forget the importance of sleep. Adults need 7-9 hours of sleep and kids need 9-11 hours of sleep. As your school counselor, I am still here to support you in any needs that may arise. We are all in this together. Please feel free to reach out and let me know how things are going for you and your family. Misty Nicol School Counselor [email protected] |
AuthorI will be posting activities happening at school along with projects we will be completing during the school year here. ArchivesCategories |