A Parent’s Guide to Entering the Post-Pandemic World with Confidence
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by Gwen Payne
The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough for everyone. However, parents in particular have faced excessive stress. From working at home to helping little ones with the challenges of remote learning, moms and dads have had a lot to deal with. As the world adjusts to a "new normal," it's time to recapture your self-esteem—and give your family a fresh start. Read on for actionable tips parents can use to approach the post-pandemic world with confidence. Make healthy eating part of your family routine Spending more time at home during the pandemic may have left you and your loved ones relying on conveniences like food delivery. Make a commitment to revitalize your family by adopting healthier habits. Home cooking is generally healthier than delivery or restaurant food, because you can better control the portions and ingredients. Taste of Home offers a list of "make-ahead meals'' you can reheat throughout the week to keep your family satiated. Implement exercise into your everyday life Many Americans also found that spending more time at home during the pandemic resulted in a more sedentary lifestyle. Exercise is important at any age, so look for ways to get yourself and your kids moving. There are many fun fitness ideas the entire family can enjoy, such as taking a hike, going on a bike ride, or heading to the local swimming pool. You can also do family fitness at home. Try having a dance-off in the living room, for example. Make a commitment to improved work-life balance As a parent, juggling work and home life is tough. Taking a healthier approach to your work-life balance can help simplify day-to-day living, freeing up your schedule and giving you more time to focus on self care. ZenBusiness offers tips to handle workplace stress, such as taking regular breaks during the day, using up all of your vacation time, and working remotely occasionally. Find ways to boost your child's confidence as they return to school Parents aren't the only ones struggling with self-esteem in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Your children may also have confidence issues—for example, when it comes to returning to school. Help support their success by engaging in learning activities at home. Teach Your Child to Read™ is an easy six-step phonics program you can do at your own pace in the comfort of your own home. Initiatives like this will help get your child up to speed. |
Wondering how to navigate a post-pandemic world?
Assess your family finances and plan for a more stable fiscal future
The COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted your family finances—for instance, if you or your spouse lost a job. If you're worried about money, tackle this stressor head on. Create a budget and look for ways to save. For example, if you have a mortgage, you might refinance it to reduce your monthly payments. Implement practical self care initiatives to tackle daily stress While you can take steps to minimize stress, like reducing mortgage payments, you can't erase it from your life 100%. Find ways to deal with anxiety-inducing situations as they arise. Parenthetical explains the value of parental self care and provides a list of small but effective actions you can take to keep anxiety at bay. Examples include taking a hot bath or shower, spending time with friends, or meditating. Your family will need some time to adjust to the "new normal" of the post-pandemic world. Be patient with your kids—and with yourself! Implementing the above habits can help you all slowly gain the self-esteem you need to re-enter your day-to-day lives with confidence. For more content to help your family thrive, visit the Teach Your Child to Read blog. Gwen Payne is a stay-at-home mom with an entrepreneurial spirit. Over the years, she has mastered raising her two daughters while side hustling to success through small ventures based on her passions -- from dog walking to writing to ecommerce. With Invisiblemoms.com she hopes to show other stay-at-home parents how they can achieve their business-owning dreams. |
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Mary Follin started her career as a systems engineer with IBM. She's worked in product development, market research, and more recently provides marketing consulting to professional services firms. Beyond creating Teach Your Child to Read™, she is also the author of Ethyr, winner of the the Moonbeam Children's Book Award and the Gertrude Warner Book Award.
Mary is also author, with Kristi Crosson, of the advice column ASK MOM in Fredericksburg Parent & Family magazine. |