By Claudia Rios-Gastelum, LMFT 97284 Para este blog en ESPANOL,
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This post is the first of 4 on the topic of “Organization & Routines: How to coach my kids through at home learning.” This year’s back to school routine is not like any other. The global pandemic has pushed most students to start distance learning requiring parents to act not only as caregivers, but also as teachers. Having to balance the roles of parent, partner, employee and teacher is demanding, and we want to support parents in developing organizational tools to cope with the stressors of the evolving challenges this academic school year. Here are 3 values to practice during distance learning to help support you and your children.
1) Flexibility: Practicing the value of flexibility, the ability to adjust or compromise, during distance learning can allow us to go with the flow when hurdles come up. Remind yourself, hurdles will come up, but you can either change what is flexible (your perspective, your emotions, and your actions) or try to change the inflexible (technology not working, your child’s mood or other people’s actions). A way to practice flexibility is to focus on the silver lining of situations. Find one or two good things in the situation even if the event isn’t the most pleasurable.
2) Lean into your Strengths: As parents, we are our children’s first teachers, but that does not mean that we have been taught the same skills that teachers develop during their training. However, you have personal strengths and abilities that can allow you to support our children’s academic progress. If you have the gift of being artistic, use this gift in “the classroom” during projects or in developing visual aids of schedules or learning tools. Or let’s say that you have the gift of prudence, teach your child how to identify different choices and their possible outcomes. Not sure of your strengths, take this free quiz developed by researchers to help you identify them.
3) Practice Self-Compassion: Acknowledge that you are doing the best that you can in regards to the situation. Praise your small wins even if they do not feel like they hold much weight. When things do not go well, be kind to yourself and recognize that this situation is new to you and your child. Practicing self-compassion is such a great tool for parents and children as it allows for perseverance to grow.