Parenting During The Pandemic

While we’re two years into “unprecedented times,” there are still ways that our youth needs support and what adults can do to help them

By Jasmine Navarro

When we talk about health, we usually think about our physical health but actually, our mental health and well-being are just as important.

The uncertainty of the last two years which affected us all has negatively affected the younger generation, and we are not out of the woods yet. Children, teenagers, and young adults spent more time than ever relying on technology for social and academic purposes as they spent more time at home due to safety precautions. This resulted in an increase in feelings of loneliness, isolation, anxiety, stress, pressure, and procrastination.

Based on my research and experience of giving interactive workshops in schools and universities and one-on-one coaching with this age group, this is a very concerning development. However, the solution to prevent these negative effects is a lot simpler than we might anticipate.

Increasing self-awareness, building confidence and resilience, and finding ways to master life challenges in a healthy way are key. Equipping children, teenagers and young adults with these tools and techniques enable them to access their inner strength and courage when needed. This allows them to become independent, self-reliant, and confident individuals. The healthier they are mentally and physically, the better they will show up in the world with whatever they choose to do.

Here are some useful tips that you as a parent can implement straight:
Being an active listener – taking a step back and really listening to what your child has to say without any judgement or assuming you need to need to change or fix
Creating a safe space – allowing your child to feel safe enough to trust and open up
Being there for them – providing guidance instead of control
Accept them as they are – giving them the opportunity to be seen and heard and allowing them to express themselves in a way that feels right for them
Avoid comparisons and pressure – supporting their efforts instead of criticising has been proven to lead to be more motivating and lead to productive results

It’s easy to have an all-or-nothing mindset which can often result in not making any changes. We must remember to have a growth mindset and be reminded that it’s the small habits we do every day that make a real difference in our lives long term. 

Change starts with you and your family. Everything else will follow. Contributing ways to create healthy, balanced individuals will certainly have a positive impact on the world. Happy, healthy people make better life decisions. It all starts with self-awareness, allowing us to make conscious choices that serve us, protecting us and the world around us. 

In my work as a family coach, I help children, teens, young adults, and parents find psychological safety so they can flourish during this vital development period and will thrive into their futures. My interactive online course for teens and young adults applies an authentic, creative, multi-dimensional approach that is fun and dynamic. I support not only teens, but also, siblings, parents, friends, and even teachers, because well-being is a multifaceted area of health, and we all have our parts to play.

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