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Feeling ill?
Message from the GHA Counseling Department
Dear Parents,
I hope this message finds you well.
We all know that COVID-19 brings with it feelings such as anxiety, stress, uncertainty, discouragement, etc.; and those feelings are felt especially by children of all ages.
Now that your child has encountered school closure, cancellation of events, separation from friends, a new method of teaching, etc; they will need to feel loved and supported more than ever before.
Green Hills Academy Counselling Department would like to share with you some tips to cope with the situation, recommended by Dr Lise Damour, expert adolescent Psychologist.
1. As a parent, try to be calm and proactive:
Parents should have a conversation with their children about the COVID-19 and the important role they can play in keeping themselves healthy. They have to understand and empathize with the fact that their children are feeling nervous and worried.
Dr Lise Damour, tells us that “Parents should encourage their kids to let them know if they are not feeling well, or if they are feeling worried about the Virus so that the parents can be of help”.
Parents also have the responsibility to remind children about effective things they can do to keep themselves and others safe and to feel in better control of the circumstances by respecting the recommendations of the ministry of health, such as: frequently washing hands, to not touch their faces, engage in social distancing, etc.
2. Stick to a routine: Children need Structure
Make sure there is a schedule for the day: that will include play/free time (being on the phone to connect with friends); time to help around the house, etc.
Let children between the age of 10,11 or older design the structure themselves, and have a discussion about it.
3. Let your child feel their emotions:
With School closures due to COVID-19, all school games, sport matches, concerts, school plays and other school activities are cancelled, and children are deeply disappointed about it.
Dr Damour advice is to let them be sad. In her own words, she asks us to “Support, expect and normalize that they are very Sad and very frustrated about the losses they are mourning.” She says that “in the scope of an adolescent’s life, these are major losses.”
4. Check in with them about what they’re hearing
It is very important to find out what your child already knows and start from there to get them on the right track. In case they have questions, use it as an opportunity to let them talk about their fear and to explore and get answers together.
5. Create Welcome distractions
It is important to balance talking about feelings with finding distractions. Dr Damour says that it is very important to allow distractions when kids need relief from feeling very upset. It helps them to refocus and to be more productive.
Family games could help, cook a meal together, do exercise in family, karaoke, etc.
6. Monitor your own behavior
There is no doubt that Parents are anxious and overwhelmed too, and kids may take emotional cues from them, yet they rely on the latter to provide them with a sense of safety and security.
It is recommended to Parents to do what they can to manage their anxiety and stress in their own time and try to not overshare their fears with their children.
I would like to thank you again for your cooperation as we navigate the way forward. Please remember to contact our Counseling Department for any emotional assistance. You can access our contact information at this link on the school closure site: https://www.smore.com/zgw8v
Wishing you all a healthy stay home period,
Ms. Immaculee Sugira
Head of Counseling Department
+250783579896| sugirai@greenhillsacademy.rw