Support for Parents During COVID-19

We’ve collated a list of resources with a range of different focuses to help you with some the different challenges that parents are facing whilst young people are at home due to government restrictions. It is an incredible challenge for every family to be isolated together, and advice such as this should only be followed where it is realistic for the particular situation of your family. 

The Child Mind Institute has written a piece on the difficulties of older children during the coronavirus lockdown. Within the article there are a list of tips covering social distancing compliance, remote schooling and supporting their mental and physical health.

It also explains some of the reasons why teenagers may react in certain ways differently to younger children (or adults!) Unicef in conversation with an adolescent psychologist and discuss potential discussions between parents and teenagers and how to address some of the issues that may be raised. 

Mental Health

Unicef have also created teenager-specific mental health advice. The article addresses teenagers on how to cope with the already difficult stage of young adulthood with the added pressure of coronavirus. Childline has resources directed towards both children and parents. Anxiety about coronavirus is a big issue and this page has advice on how to tackle if your child has anxiety about coronavirus. Body & Soul is providing a weekly MindSET Livestream session that will be accessible to any young person in psychological distress. MindSET delivers effective, concrete skills to help young people manage emotional distress. Register online, for more information contact enquiries@bodyandsoulcharity.org. There are mini-programmes on this site to help with focussing on things other than coronavirus with your young person.

Education

An article using advice from a seasoned home school parent on how to help your kids if they are are trying to study for GCSEs or A Levels from home. The advice on time-structures are useful because they explain why study-time should be shorter during this period. It also includes tips on how to support remote learning from schools. The Maths Factor is matched with the national curriculum and is supporting young people who are learning maths at home while schools are closed, and might be a useful tool for parents helping children work from home.

Physical Activity

There have been a myriad of different challenges on social media involving physical activity, from keepy-uppys with toilet roll to press up challenges. It has been said by many experts that keeping physically active is key to maintaining good mental health during this period. But getting a young person to stay active when there is limited resources to do so could be extremely challenging.

The Sport England stay in work out movement may be a way to get your child involved in activity. The site and related social media pages might be a good place to direct young people as there are links to different apps and online resources that help keep you fit. The interactivity of the #StayInWorkOut might also provide some motivation. PE with Joe Wicks is another way to stay active.

Co Parenting 

The government has said it is permissible for children to travel between separated parents. This may be difficult has childcare arrangements are not as simplistic as moving between two homes on a regular schedule. This article discusses how you can maintain safely a coparenting relationship. 

Employment

Unemployed young people may suffer with a lack of purpose and financial strain. Staying productive can help young people to stay positive. Here is specific advice on tenancy rights during this period for young people. There is an opportunity in the free time, as employability skills can be grown. Ignite’s youth workers are also available to assist with personal development over this period.

Addiction

People in recovery may find this period of isolation more difficult than others. This list of addiction support helplines has a range of functions, including support for the families of drug and alcohol users. There are online resources to support the continuation of meeting attendance.