From the Counselling Team
- Online Boxing Session on Teams
- How Parents can Cope with Homeschooling - Again
- Wellbeing Letter to Parents/Carers
- Counselling Team Information
How Parents can Cope With Homeschooling - Again
Many parents will be understandably struggling as they re-enter a time of home schooling and keeping the family unit at home for the entire day.
When parents are ‘thrown’ into a teaching role, feelings of stress, guilt, and resentment over inadequacies in home schooling are common, with many parents and carers negatively comparing themselves to others who may have more time and energy to spend on school tasks.
But there may be some benefits to home schooling that we’re overlooking. Dr Bridianne O’Dea, a Senior Research Fellow at the Black Dog Institute, talks about some of the opportunities presented by this change in routine, and some strategies to help parents to reduce stress during this time.
“This can be a time of critical thinking, shared problem-solving, and creativity. Instead of focusing on the negatives, we can focus on helping each other,” says Dr O’Dea.
“Home schooling is a rare opportunity for parents to gain greater insight into what their child is learning, a new chance to get to know their child and their world outside the home, and to learn what they enjoy most or struggle with when learning.”
Dr O’Dea also says it’s a great opportunity to teach children how to help out more around the house, and a chance to direct the time saved from not having to do drop-offs/pick-ups or prepare school lunches into something that you enjoy.
Strategies for reducing stress when home schooling
Set up designated workspaces for your children
Finding a designated learning space for children has been associated with lower levels of parental stress. For many, this may be the kitchen table and this is okay.
Set it up and pack it away each day to signify a routine that “starts and ends”. It also helps to create the mental environment needed that “this is where I come to learn”.
Acceptance, positive reappraisal, and refocusing
Children’s adjustment during stressful events depends to a great extent on their parents’ emotional state. Parents should actively try to reframe the situation to give it a positive meaning. They can do these together with their children by exploring positive and negative thoughts, and by thinking about positive experiences. For example, saying “It was great to spend more time learning with you today”.
Gratitude activities, such as being grateful for own and family health, more family time, and bonding with children, can help focus on the positive side of these disruptive changes, and try to avoid using self-blaming or absolutist language (e.g. “I just can’t teach my child, I am terrible at it” or “Why can’t you just listen properly?”).
Take breaks for rest and have meals together as a family
Use these opportunities to practice taking turns talking, questioning, and listening – key skills that young people learn in the school environment.
Try to find ways to be more organised
Involve your children in planning meals, cooking dinner, and other activities that can keep them busy around the home. Having an activity that they can do safely with minimal supervision can also help to juggle working meetings when working from home and home-schooling.
Introduce family rewards and recreate your favourite activities together
Movies, restaurants, and concerts can all be imagined/recreated at home with some creativity. Encourage your family to try a new recipe, or set up a scavenger hunt at home. Use Internet communications such as video calls to connect with family and friends, or plan a movie night together.
Try low-intensity mental health activities together as a family
Things such as mindfulness or the Bite Back 30 day fitness challenge can be done together as a family. Laughter is very important during times of uncertainty and stress, so watch a funny movie together, tell jokes, play dress-ups, and do as much as you can to bring laughter into the home.
Don’t forget to move!
We know that engaging in physical activity keeps us healthy. While outdoor parks are great, the cold and rainy weather can make lockdown harder to bear and physical activity more difficult. Encourage your children to keep active and work to keep fitness levels up. Don't forget this applies to parents too!
Lastly, self-care for parents!
It’s important to acknowledge that home schooling is an extra role for parents and carers, and you still need to look after your own health.
You may not have lots of spare time at the moment but try to set aside some regular time each week (even finding five minutes a day can be incredibly important) to focus on what you need, and always seek professional help if you need it.
Crisis support: If you find yourself very distressed and need immediate support contact:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
- Beyond Blue on beyondblue.org.au or 1300 22 4636
Mrs Judy Gill - Psychologist and College Counsellor
Wellbeing Letter to Parents/Carers
Please find attached a letter which was forwarded to all parents/carers today from the Pastoral Team with good advice for parents about assisting their children in online learning.
Mr Paul Ticli - Acting Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care
College Counselling Team
The College Counselling Team are available to provide confidential emotional and social support and guidance for your son and family. For reference our College Counselling Team contact details are shown below.
Mr Rick Russo
Counsellor (Full time Monday to Friday) working with students across all year groups.
Email: rrusso@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Direct Phone: 9414 4359
School Mobile (in case of emergency): 0418 438 325
Ms Joe McCarthy
Psychologist (2 days per week: Tuesday and Thursday) working with students across all year groups.
Email: jmccarthy@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Direct Phone: 9414 4322
Mrs Judy Gill
Psychologist (2 days per week: Wednesday and Friday) working with students across all year groups.
Email: jgill@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Direct Phone: 9414 4315
The Counselling Team, together with the Diverse Learning Team, look forward to providing CONFIDENTIAL support to assist your son to build his SELF CONFIDENCE / SELF ESTEEM AND RESILIENCE within a caring, supportive Catholic school community. Please do not hesitate to make contact with any of the above team should the need arise.
Mr Rick Russo - College Counsellor/Chaplaincy Services