Parent Wellbeing
Tips on how to cope while not being able to go out
Build Your Routine – whatever routine works for you, identify what it is, write it down, stick to it and tick it off as you go through the day to create a sense of stability and achievement. This is something you can get your child involved in. Get them to observe your routines, think about how these routines can be made into household charts and posters, how your routines can be made more efficient, who can do what in the household, any potential rewards and so on. Are there things that you usually do as a parent which you can delegate to your child? All of this is valuable learning.
Build Your Crew – identify the people that you can turn to for support. Check in with these people regularly via text or with a phone call. The academy is committed to being part of your support network at this time so please do get in touch if there are things we can help with. You can also use some of the organisations listed below as part of your support network.
Find a space – finding space within a busy household can be a great challenge as physical space may simply not be available but there is a need for every individual to find a space in every day even if it is putting earphones in and listening to music for a few minutes. Identify what your ‘space’ can be and fight to protect this each day as much as you possibly can.
Useful links to keep children safe online :
Thinkyouknow (advice from the National Crime Agency to stay safe online)
Internet matters (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)
Parent info (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)
LGfL (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)
Net-aware (support for parents and carers from the NSPCC)
Managing your child’s anxiety:
Supportive Organisations & Resources
CLICK for a wealth of topics such as autism, money worries and much more in this government guide for parents/carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID 19) outbreak.
CLICK for updated government information for parents/carers during the school closure.
CLICK picture for the latest version of the CAMHS Alliance Directory, which has been updated for 20/21 with new services.
CLICK picture for Anna Freud, an excellent website which supports young people’s mental health during periods of disruption.
CLICK picture for practical advice on how to help children manage their own worry about Coronavirus with a a link to a children’s book written by a nurse for younger children worried about Coronavirus.
CLICK for the Hackney WellFamily Plus Service, provided by Family Action, helps individuals, couples and families to manage their mental health and prevent problems from getting worse.
CLICK picture for information about WellFamily Plus who support people over the age of 16, who experience mild to moderate mental health difficulties. This service offers holistic assessments, advice, and information, emotional and practical support.
CLICK picture to read ‘Coronavirus: A book for children’. What is the coronavirus, and why is everyone talking about it? This book helps answer these questions and many more, providing children and their parents with clear and accessible explanations about the coronavirus and its effects - both from a health perspective and the impact it has on a family’s day-to-day life.
CLICK picture to read the children’s book ‘It’s OK to worry about Coronavirus’. This book offers support to children who are feeling worried about Coronavirus and the sudden changes it brought to their lives.
CLICK for a list of different types of mental health concerns with helpful coping strategies & information from the mental health charity MIND.
CLICK for a story to help young people with ASD understand coronavirus (COVID-19).
Meeting your own needs:
CLICK for advice on school closure and what to do if you are worried about your own child or someone else’s via ‘Family Lives’ (previously known as ‘Parentline’). You can call 0800 800 2222 Mon – Fri 9am to 9pm and Sat and Sun 10am – 3pm or email askus@familylives.org.uk
CLICK for advice on how to care for your mental wellbeing, specifically during the Coronavirus crisis, as well as a wide range of mental health support materials from the mental health charity MIND.
CLICK picture for a great article full of lots of practical ideas from Nuffield Health - How to manage your mental health in uncertain times.
CLICK picture for free online mindfulness sessions (including some in French and German) from Mind With Heart, an organisation that has been working with our year 8 students over the past year to develop mindfulness.
