Family Wellbeing during the Pandemic

If you or your children feel tired, sad and uninterested, it is a natural reaction to the unusual and unknown situation in which we all find ourselves. What matters is our response to this non-standard situation. Adults are a role model for children on how to approach such challenges, how not to succumb to hopelessness and helplessness. Children do not just want to be passive recipients of instructions, but want to take an active part in their family and social life. They need us to create a sense of security, predictability and daily structure.

Parents often ask me for specific recommendations how they can improve their children’s mood and motivation, but also relationships in their family. There are small things you can do for yourself and others. Try to consider together with your children which of the following points can be used in your family:

- Maintain communication

Having meals together several times a week will support family life and natural communication. Set clear rules and display them in a visible place. Appreciate family members even for the little things. Talk about your feelings, don't be afraid to talk about the negative ones as well (they will pass one day).

- Develop safe forms of contact

Create a family video and send it to your grandparents right away. Send letters, small parcels or a piece of cake to the ones you love. Sing to your friends at their house. Make a quiz for friends. Enjoy contact and fun with pets.

- Increase your resilience

You don't have to run marathons, go for walks with a goal – to walk up a hill or climb up all the hills in Prague. Dance or run up the stairs. Limit junk food.

Find things you are grateful for. Dedicate energy to things you can change…

- Maintain and create family rituals

E.g. family cooking, reading aloud or singing, counting birds on a tree by the window, regular board game time (for Czech speaking families - you can download an unusual one here: https://www.empatikarty.cz/storage/app/media/podklady/empati_karticky_hra_DIY.pdf )

Or create a family pandemic scrapbook (it can be a digital or paper one) - once it's over, it will be a document about how you handled it.

- Do something for others

Do shopping for an elderly neighbour, decorate the house windows or garden, paint a picture and give it to someone nearby, it will be surely a pleasant surprise for them.

Painting Stones

Paint and place stones in your neighbourhood, put them in places where people can find them. Such a nice little thing can make them happy. You can find inspiration here: www.facebook.com/groups/kaminky