Practical Tips and Resources for Parents of School-Aged Children Amid a Pandemic

Guest Post by Jenna Sherman

We are living in strange times, to say the least. For many parents, not only have everyday routines been completely changed, but there are the fears and anxiety that come with the uncertainty of everything that’s going on. 

How long will the pandemic last? What will the school year look like? What can I do to best protect my household from the coronavirus? To help you address these concerns, we’ve provided some practical tips and resources below. 

Get Your Child Into a Rhythm

Whether your child will be attending school, homeschooling, or doing a combination of the two, it’s essential to help them establish a healthy rhythm.  

• At least a couple of weeks before school begins, start transitioning your child’s bedtime and wake time to match school year time. 
• Make sure your child is eating a healthy diet, as this will do wonders for helping them to focus, learn, and stay healthy. 
• Contact your child’s teachers to discuss topics and curriculum so that you can start to introduce them to your child at home. 
• If your child will be taking online courses, make sure that you both understand how to navigate them before the school year begins. 

Fight Those Germs

Germs are always a concern when it comes to your home and kids. But nowadays, in particular, it’s important to be extra vigilant when it comes to cleaning. 

• Make sure everyone in your household has access to good hand sanitizer for when they are unable to wash their hands.
• If you have a young child, teach them to keep their hands and fingers out of their mouth, ears, and nose. 
• Be diligent about cleaning and disinfecting your home on a regular basis, as it is the most effective way of protecting your family from coronavirus. 
• And if you have the budget for it, consider hiring a professional to deep clean your home.

Review Safety Precautions

If your child will be going to school or venturing out in public for other reasons, make sure they are taking the proper precautions. 

• Explain social distancing and maintaining a six-foot distance from others.
• Explain that they should always cover their coughs and sneezes.
• Make sure they know to wash their hands frequently.
• If your child will be asked to wear a face mask at school, try to get them used to it beforehand, and be sure to wash the mask daily. 

There’s no denying that this is a challenging year for parents. But by making the right preparations, you can help your household thrive during this time. Try to get your child into a good routine before school starts, make sure you are keeping your child and home as clean as possible, and explain essential safety precautions to your child. Most importantly, remind yourself daily that you will make it through this!

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About Jenna Sherman

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