Parenting Through COVID-19, Part 1

RH Family Making History

QUESTIONS WE ASK

1. First of all, what has life been like for you guys the past three weeks?

2. How do we help our kids process what is going on in our world as it changes daily and weekly?

3. How important is family rhythm as we continue through this season for preschoolers, kids, and students?

4. How do we process and address fear and uncertainty?

5. What types of behaviors indicate that your child is struggling in this season? Some of your kids may be adjusting just fine, but there are others that may not know how to articulate how they are feeling. What are signs that we need to step in or seek further help for them?

HIGHLIGHTS

• We are setting new times, new routines, new ways.
• This season can help you further identify the personalities of your kids and the ways they process and things they need.
• Boundaries don’t limit our freedom, they protect it. We are learning new safe practices. Learning the what and why we are having to do what we do is key!
• You have to listen to your kids and help them direct part of the conversation. Understanding where they are, what they’ve heard, and how much exposure they have.
• Be cautious about the amount of exposure our kids have, depending on personalities, age, etc. Filter what they are able to hear and understand. Ultimately, we want our kids to know we trust God for every part of this.
• Flattening the Curve and Social Distancing Illustration- be sure to go and watch how Nic Allen illustrates, on an age appropriate scale, Covid-19 and how we work together to stop the spread. He uses an illustration of protecting their family pet.
• Family rhythm is highly important in this season. Adding structure to our day is so important: get up, get ready, extra family time, have breakfast and conversations about what we are studying and learning from God’s Word.
• Make the weekend a weekend. Plan things for your kids to look forward to!
• What if, after this season, we have created new rhythms and new practices that make our families and lives richer and stronger?
• What part of our rhythms before do we miss and want to establish again? What part of our rhythms before were really unnecessary and we don’t need again? We can take inventory of what matters and allow those to form part of our new! God wants us to do a new thing through all of this.
• Things to look out for in your family members: Where are we getting stuck? What worries or anxieties are we not able to get past? You know your kids best! Watch for things that appear abnormal or prolonged: defiant behavior, changes in sleeping or eating patterns, sadness, or excessive crying. Be sure to listen and speak truth into what you are hearing and seeing.
• Talk to your kids about who God is and attributes of His character! Teach them to take their thoughts captive, make lists of things they are afraid of BUT match them with God’s Word and His truth and show them how to trust Him more and more.
• Model healthy habits for them when fear creeps in. Talk a walk, replace those thoughts with how we can love others well, pray with them, discuss their fears, establish “we can” phrases, and make them a part of your family language.

Resources:

Making History Parenting Podcast & Resource Page

At-Home Resource Page

Missional Living: Ways to Help

Be sure to follow our social media accounts during this season:

Preschool: @rhccpreschool

Kids: @rhcckids

Students: @rhccstudents