Resources to support families in lockdown during COVID-19

To support parents throughout this time, I’d like to gift you several resources to help you have a calmer home and a more resilient family.

Free audio tracks…

I also have four free audio tracks that will be useful for anyone in your household…

Additional resources

I would encourage all parents to read my articles Coping With Corona Chaos, Gentle steps to Recovery , Why Boys can Find Isolation Particularly Difficult, Helping Kids to Cope with Lockdown 2nd Time Around, A New Normal: Back to School After Isolation… and please check out my regularly updated Top tips and links for families in isolation. I also wrote for ABC Life about Parenting an Only Child Through the Pandemic  and How to Help Stop Your Kids Fighting During Periods of High Stress.

Several episodes of the podcast I host for the ABC, Parental As Anything were devoted to parenting in this pandemic too. Check out the episodes we did on how to talk to kids about coronavirus, working from home, supporting kids to learn from home, going it alone in lockdown (whether a single parent or parenting an only child) and reducing conflict in your home during these trying times. I spoke with some wonderful people for these episodes including Dr Kristy Goodwin, Dr Prue Salter, Michelle Mitchell and Dr Justin Coulson. I also made this video with the ABC on Talking to Kids About Coronavirus which may be helpful to revisit as we deal with these new variants.

If you look at nothing else, please check out my suite of “Maggie Soother” videos, which offer simple exercises, tips and strategies for kids and adults to ease the anxiety and stress that families may be experiencing during these uncertain times.

Resources for coping with death, loss or trauma

 

All unexpected change causes stress. When this change is significant, and lasts more than a week, it becomes distress and involves a sense of loss. Distress impacts deeply on several levels and children are particularly vulnerable to its damaging effects. Death, social dislocation, prolonged absence of loved ones and unexpected change that lasts causes stress to children and adolescents. For my full range of resources on death and loss, please click here. Otherwise, below are some key resources which we hope will help support you and your family at this time.

I would encourage you to take a look at my articles below but also for parents and school staff who are worried about the risk of suicide in their communities please read this excellent post from the CEO of Enlighten Education, Dannielle Miller. It is full of practical advice and links to further resources for help and support.

I have several video blogs for families on the subject of loss and death, including:

Support Services Directory

Please remember you are not alone at this time… if you need support for yourself, your child or your family, reach out. Find help here.