Parenting can be tough at the best of times, but family life has changed dramatically during social isolation that鈥檚 been mandated by COVID-19. The good news is children thrive in an incredible variety of settings. Emerging evidence suggests that a little stress, particular in the context of a supportive parent-child relationship, can actually be beneficial because it聽.
As clinical psychology scholars,聽聽looks at how parent-child relationships can promote healthy development, particularly in the context of stress.
Here are a few research-based strategies to make this unprecedented time more enjoyable.
1. Notice what鈥檚 going well
Living in close quarters, it鈥檚 easy to pay attention to all the things going wrong, which can make children more resistant to helping out. Praising your kids and letting them know you appreciate their effort pays overtime by .
You have permission to praise anything that you want to see more of. 鈥淭hanks for saying please when you asked for (your third) snack,鈥� or 鈥淣ice job sitting so calmly!鈥�
2. Plan (a little)
Children benefit from being able to predict small things and having some control. If you鈥檙e into making a daily schedule 鈥� great 鈥� but it might work just as well to chat about choices for upcoming activities a couple times each day.
If a task needs to happen, like schoolwork or cleaning, try sandwiching it between child-chosen activities. Research suggests that child choices can increase. Look for patterns and use that to your advantage by setting up extra incentives to prevent problems.
3. Get down to their level
Getting in multiple chunks ofthroughout the day can help kids manage their emotions and behaviour, build cognitive skills and support parent-child bonds.
It鈥檚 easier to participate when you are sitting on the floor and can give play your full attention. If you鈥檙e having a hard time being distracted, try being over-the-top with silly voices, jumping jacks or getting messy. Imaginative play can be a welcome escape for adults too.
4. Give good directions
When you need something done, it鈥檚 wonderful to ask only once. Increase the likelihood of this by giving good directions: get close to your kids and make eye contact first. Ask them to do a specific, time-limited task, with no more than two or three steps, depending on child ability. 鈥淚 need to you put away this game then come to dinner.鈥� Wait there and count to 20 to make sure you receive a response. If not, try 鈥淒ylan, can I get an OK to cleaning up the game? It鈥檚 dinner time.鈥�
Make sure the demand is realistic given their mood and energy. Using a 鈥渨hen-then鈥� statement can be a powerful way to maintain control. 鈥淒ylan,whenyou clean up the gamethenyou can choose an ice cream for dessert.鈥� If that sounds too much like a sugary bribe, offer a family movie or playing with Super Soakers.
5. Take a step back
Pay attention to what your body feels like or your thoughts sound like right before you react. If you can step away from an escalating situation, chances are you鈥檒l have a more pleasant day.
Identify what you might do to take a break 鈥� hand off parenting to a partner if possible, splash cold water on your face or take in a breath of fresh air. Even five deep breaths and reminding yourself about your聽聽can provide the space you need to tackle the situation with a clear(er) mind.
6. Choose not to react (when you can)
厂辞尘别迟颈尘别蝉听聽of a minor challenging behaviour is the most effective way to move through the day. Another option is to describe what you鈥檙e seeing and offer some choices.
鈥淲ow, you have a lot of energy and just kicked the door. Can you show me your 20 best clucking chicken moves?鈥� Saying the unexpected can move kids into playful compliance.
If exhaustion is making this hard, try a grandparent-approved adage: 鈥淎dd water or fresh air.鈥� This can include ice cubes, baths, coloured water, a walk around the block or even spotting birds or dog poop piles from an open window.
7. Reset and move on (when you can鈥檛)
Unpleasant outbursts or harsh words can happen to everyone. It鈥檚 sometimes helpful for parents to offer a brief apology and gently move into new activities.
It鈥檚 equally important not to force an apology from your child, which can have the unintended consequence of making things worse. When you鈥檙e in this 鈥渞esetting鈥� mode, try to think back on the points above 鈥� getting down to their level, being goofy or noticing small positives will make it easier to move on with your day.
8. Be generous with affection
Across species,聽. As much as your sheer quantity of family time might not make extra squeezes or hand-holding automatically appealing, that鈥檚 often exactly what kids need to manage big emotions that are simmering under the surface.
We hope this list provides some assurance that you can offer your kids exactly what they need to feel loved, safe, and supported. If you鈥檙e reading this, chances are that you鈥檙e already providing just that.
Leslie Roos is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Manitoba. Jessica Flannery is a Doctoral Candidate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Oregon.
If you鈥檇 like to share your experiences during the pandemic, we are researching how parents of children 0鈥�8 years old are managing and what else they need at聽. Our ultimate goal is to develop resources for our communities to better meet family needs.
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