Is your kid struggling from the stress of the pandemic? Do this.
A recent email received from Dr. G (7/23/21)…
Hi Libby,
For the past couple of weeks, I’ve shared ideas and strategies for helping your kids navigate the stress that the pandemic has placed on them.
We’ve talked about how stress can be an opportunity to strengthen our kids against future challenges.
I’ve also shared with you how to check in with your kids to see how they are doing.
Today, I want to talk about creating an action plan for when you discover your kid needs extra support.
When a kid has asthma, any day could be a bad day. So we give the parents an Asthma Action Plan – a way to assess their child each morning (and any other time) and steps to handle any possible situation.
When a kid has gone through a worldwide pandemic, virtual learning, social isolation, future uncertainty, any day can be a bad day.
Want an Action Plan? Yeah, me too. Because the world is picking up speed again. I’m not looking at my children in the same room as me for hours a day anymore. We’re all starting to be a bit busy. I want to believe that “busy” means “normal and fine!”
Sadly, it does not.
As one of my sons put it recently, “I think a lot of kids don’t remember how to BE normal. We’ve been on our own for a long time!”
Rates of mental distress in kids are still rising. The strategies they knew for managing big feelings, behaving in school, meeting their responsibilities before this all happened, that was two years ago!
What percentage of your child’s life is two years – 15%? A third of their life? Maybe even longer. It’s hard to remember for them and us.
They could be having a hard time on any given day, and we – no matter how busy things get this next school year – we need to know. They need us to know.
So here’s a plan of action to help.
1. Are you worried?
Look at and listen to your child for just 60 seconds. Really look. How does your gut feel? Do they seem ok? Great. Then ask how they’re doing – maybe use the 1 to 10 tool from my last email. If they don’t seem ok…
2. Figure out why you’re worried.
What do you see or not see? Hear or not hear? Then…
3. Pick a color rating.
Be transparent and say, “Today seems hard. What are you feeling?” Based on what you know about this child, their answer, and the circumstances, choose the color that best fits:
- Green – they’re really ok
- Yellow – something is not quite right
- Orange – they are struggling with something important
- Red – this child is in true distress now
4. Take action.
This is the scariest part for most parents. “What am I supposed to DO? How can I help?” These questions are not just normal, they show how invested we are in our kids’ well-being. This is where parents need support.
There is a quick answer: if your child is yellow, keep watching, and if they’re orange, stick close and if they’re red get professional help.
But if it were that simple, you wouldn’t still be reading this email. Our kids are individuals and there’s no one-size-fits-all for helping them manage their brains, their stress, their experiences.
You need a custom plan that works for each child, for you, for your circumstances (more on that below).
5. Check back in.
Whether your child was ok or not, this follow-up piece is key to making sure that you’re still in tune and helping with what’s happening today, not only what’s been on your mind since last week. Kids are each a moving target, and they need help managing their evolution.
This raises the question: when my kid is struggling (yellow, orange, or red), what are the right actions to take that meet their specific needs and circumstances?
I want to help you create that personalized plan so that you can stop worrying every day that your kids will be ok.
I want to help your kids emerge from this stressful pandemic experience stronger than ever so they can thrive and take on any future challenge they might face.
That’s why I would like you to invite you to join me for a three-part online seminar series taking place in August called…
Ready for Anything: How to Build Confidence, Resilience, and Mental Health in Your Kids
You can get all the details and enroll here.
During this three-part deep dive and coaching program, I will guide you from worrying about your child or teen’s resilience, happiness, and mental health to sleeping easy again about their ability to navigate the challenges of life and enjoy a happy future.
This is your chance to work with me to get the same expertise I provide to my own patients and their families.
During this three-week implementation seminar, I’ll explain kids’ reactions, answer your questions and provide steps you can follow to get control over the interactions happening in your home.
This program gives you clear answers and a wide array of strategies for you to choose from depending on you and your children’s needs.
I’ve helped parents who were going from day to day just hoping everything would be alright, with no idea how to help their child. After just the first of these three seminars, parents tell me that they can finally sleep again.
Here’s what one parent had to say about the results they had:
“I saw a huge change in my young daughter after employing some of Dr. G’s tips and techniques. The tools and tips Dr. G provides really create change and build resilient kids who can manage their own emotions.”
–Lorey Zaman, President, New Hartford PTA
If you’d like to get all the details or enroll, click here.
During this workshop, you will learn:
- 8 resilience skills that your kids can learn and apply to weather any storm.
- How to teach our kids how to protect themselves from the negative effects of stress.
- Red and yellow flags to watch for to know when your kids are struggling or need help.
- How to check in with your kids in a way that gets them to share what they are thinking and feeling so that you don’t have to wonder.
- How to create an effective action plan when our kids need help.
- How to help them in a way that strengthens them and teaches them how to help themselves in the future.
- How to hear the hidden messages in the things our kids share with us so that we don’t miss anything significant.
- And much more…
Here’s How Ready for Anything Works
Wednesdays
August 4, 11, and 18
6 PM Pacific / 9 PM Eastern
Via ZoomEach Wednesday for three weeks (August 4th, 11th, and 18th), I’ll work with you and other parents like you in an information and implementation seminar on Zoom.
Space is limited in this seminar to ensure I can give adequate attention to all who attend.
Get all the details here and claim your spot before they fill up.
If you have any questions, reply to this email and I will get back to you right away.
Best,
Dr. G
How to Talk to Kids and Teens about the Coronavirus
Plus comics, podcasts, and links to support your efforts.