Parenting Page
A Message from Maggie Dent to support families
Hello to all of you in Sydney and surrounds,
Every time I hear the news updating the latest case numbers and changing restrictions I feel so deeply for all the families impacted. It soon wears thin trying to work from home while the kids are home schooling (or dealing with the financial and emotional impacts of not being able to operate your business!) -- I know it's a real recipe for stress for so many.
In an effort to make some contribution to support you at this time, I wanted to share with you a collection of specific articles and videos, and gift you a few resources that may help you navigate your current lockdown.
Resourcing you for resilience…I have asked my team to collate information from some of my seminar handouts as well as sharing with you some information and resources which I was gifting to schools and corporates when I was running my Parenting in a Pandemic webinar.
There are three ebooks there, some audio tracks you can use with your families, plus some helpful videos and articles. CLICK HERE for your free resources to support Sydney & surrounds families during COVID
If you find what is contained within this email is beneficial for you, your family, your neighbourhood, your school and your community you have my permission to share this page with loved ones elsewhere in NSW.
Given that the pandemic has created a sense of grief and that some of you may have lost a loved one, I am including some information on supporting yourself and your children after a death, loss or trauma.
I know we keep hearing it but it's true … we are all in this together Adversity is not all bad and this generation of children and teens, once this horrible pandemic has gone, may have been gifted with a deep understanding and awareness of what resilience really means. The role of the family and the systems that are connected to the family — like our neighbourhoods and schools — are showing our kids in the ways they they have adapted to cope with this challenge that human connectedness is a profoundly important part of not just surviving, but thriving as human beings.We cannot be resilient on our own and the more connected we are, and the stronger the sense of belonging our children have, the healthier they will navigate these challenging times.
Wellbeing comes first So keep in mind those of you who are working from home while also having children doing remote learning, that wellbeing needs to come before learning outcomes and work outcomes. Until our amygdala – our threat centre – is calm, all learning and working is compromised. Stressed brains don’t learn well and they certainly struggle to manage big ugly feelings well. Please check out my Maggie Soothers – for simple quick ways of lowering cortisol. Some of them are serious fun and others deceptively brilliant at calming us all down.While lock down stops real human connectedness, finding a safe predictable place to belong without judgement can be more than a physical tonic – it can fill the heart and nurture the soul. Reach out to your friends over the phone or online as much as you can. It's so important to be really nurturing in supporting yourself right now.
Finally...Please remember the power of the simple things, kindness and gratitude. When the grown-ups are able to find the light in the darkness, and bring hope to hide the despair, children learn how to do the same.
Take care. Stay strong. Choose love. Be kind.
Huge hugs, Maggie |
Is your child watching the teacher videos to support remote learning?
Most teachers are recording videos for students and including links to these either on the Weekly Learning Schedule or on Seesaw. Many teachers have noticed the number of times the videos are viewed and are naturally concerned that not all children are watching the videos. There has been the odd occasion when only 6 or 7 students across a grade view a video.
These video recordings are well thought out by teachers and are an essential part of the learning process.
Parents are encouraged to remind their children that they must watch these videos. If your child skips the video and just moves onto the task then they are missing essential learning and instruction. Often the answers to questions from students or parents are in the videos.
Need help getting your children organised in the morning?
CatholicCare offers mental health support through Mindfulness webinars
The uncertainty of the current times we live in, mixed with physical distancing and isolation from families and loved ones due to the recent COVID lockdown has left many feeling anxious, stressed, and worried.
To help support people through these difficult circumstances, CatholicCare Wollongong has released six Keeping Calm and Connected: Mindfulness webinars with practical steps to reflect and calm the mind.
Tips for Parents in the Digital Age
In a world where children are "growing up digital," it's important to help them learn healthy concepts of digital use and citizenship. Parents play an important role in teaching these skills. Here are four simple tips parents can put into place right now!
Set limits and encourage playtime. Media use, like all other activities, should have reasonable limits. Unstructured and offline play stimulates creativity. Make unplugged playtime a daily priority.
Screen time shouldn't always be alone time. Co-view, co-play and co-engage with your children when they are using screens—it encourages social interactions, bonding, and learning. Play a video game with your children. It's a good way to demonstrate good sportsmanship and gaming etiquette. Watch a show with them; you will have the opportunity to introduce and share your own life experiences and perspectives—and guidance. Don't just monitor them online—interact with them, so you can understand what they are doing and be a part of it.
Don't use technology as an emotional pacifier. Media can be very effective in keeping kids calm and quiet, but it should not be the only way they learn to calm down. Children need to be taught how to identify and handle strong emotions, come up with activities to manage boredom, or calm down through breathing, talking about ways to solve the problem, and finding other strategies for channelling emotions.
Apps for kids – do YOUR homework. More than 80,000 apps are labelled as educational, but little research has demonstrated their actual quality. Products pitched as "interactive" should require more than "pushing and swiping." Look to organisations like Common Sense Media for reviews about age-appropriate apps, games and programs to guide you in making the best choices for your children.Please click on the attachment below for some APP FACT SHEETS you will find very useful. I would like to highlight the age rating and how important it is that you ensure that your child/ren do not have accounts or access apps with a rating above their age. Please note that Common Sense Media also provides you with detailed information about apps and the recommended age rating, which often differs from the app provider age rating.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss any of the information here please contact Mr Aguilera.
Parental As Anything Podcast
Presented by Maggie Dent
Maggie Dent is one of Australia's pre-eminent and much-loved parenting authors and educators. She's an advocate for kids and parents alike and is known for her common-sense approach to parenting.
How much screen time should you let your kids have? How do you talk to your tweens and teens about sex and consent? How do you keep your cool when your child throws a tantrum?
Maggie Dent, one of Australia's favourite parenting authors and educators gives you practical tips and answers to your real-world parenting dilemmas.
Maggie talks to parenting experts from around the world to find practical solutions to the challenges every parent is facing today.
She'll help you be the parent you really want to be and give you ideas on how you can raise healthy kids who thrive.
Listen for free from the ABC listen app, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.
Access is also available via this linkhttps://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/parental-as-anything-with-maggie-dent/
Need Help with Devices and the Internet at Home?
The eSafety Commissioner website helps Australians to have safer, more positive experiences online. The site has a parent page that provides advice for parents and carers to help children have safe experiences online. eSafety Commissioner.
ADDITIONAL SHORT ARTICLES FROM 'PARENTING IDEAS'