In twenty years’ time…

By Donna Ashworth, Scottish author and poet

People will not ask the children of 2020/21 if they caught up with their studies.

They will not ask them what grades they made, despite the year off school.

They will ask them with wonder ‘what was it like?’

They will ask them ‘how did you cope?’

‘How did you feel?’

‘What do you remember of those days?’

They will listen in awe to the tales of clapping on doorsteps for the medical workers.

They will sit open-mouthed to hear of daily walks being the only life we saw and how much we missed human contact and gatherings.

They will be amazed to know about empty supermarkets, online concerts, birthdays spent on a screen and a life lived inside.

They will listen, then sit back with amazement and say, ‘Wow. You went through so much.’

So think about what you would like your children to take away from this whole year.

Tell them they are not behind.

Tell them they are not missing out.

Tell them they are extremely special indeed and they will be forever made stronger by this unique time.

Tell them catching up is not even a thing because they have grown so much in so many other ways.

Remind them too of the fun stuff, the family jigsaws, the window rainbows, the zoom bingo.

The feeling of safety and togetherness amidst the chaos.

Let them take that thought with them through life.

Change the narrative now and it will travel far.

Tell the children they are not behind.

They are special.

Resources to support students and families during COVID-19

Emerging Minds has produced a document titled “Helping children to cope with uncertainty during COVID-19” – please find here:

Hugh, from The Resilience Project appeared on Channel 10’s ‘The Project’ last week. In this clip, Hugh discusses strategies to support our mental health during this difficult time. We encourage you to take the time to watch it by clicking on this link - The Resilience Project on "The Project" - https://vimeo.com/587616933/2cdd0ddd21

The Resilience Project website has some ideas for things you can do to improve wellbeing at home: https://theresilienceproject.com.au/at-home/everyone/
Our ‘Wellbeing Resources’ page has tips and hints to support you discussing COVID-19 with your children as well as stories to discuss coronavirus: https://beaumarisnorthps.vic.edu.au/wellbeing-resources/

Reach Out have some great resources and suggestions to encourage you to prioritise self-care: https://parents.au.reachout.com/skills-to-build/wellbeing/things-to-try-self-care

If you or anyone you know needs help: