Whilst we need to support our children during Lockdowns, no less important is the support we can provide for parents. By caring and supporting each other, we help take away some of the stress and feeling of “….I – We are alone on this journey!…”
Our AFUO/CYOA Members, churches and community organisations are here to help and support. If you need something – JUST CALL.
Last week we sent you some ideas for children to do. TODAY IT’S THE PARENTS TURN.
Good luck, and we hope you find some of this information helpful! STAY SAFE – ARE IN THIS TOGETHER.
We will get through this together! We need to support each other.
Stay Safe!
On behalf of the AFUO Committee we wish you well!
Stefan Romaniw OAM
Co-Chair
COVID SUPPORT……..WHAT ABOUT US PARENTS – WHO IS SUPPORTING US?
Parents do the heavy lifting during COVID LOCKDOWNS. There is no relief – Lockup in a home, home-schooling work, bills, stresses…. YOU ARE THE ENGINE ROOM.
You need to look after your health – physical and mental.
YOU DESERVE TIME OUT OR WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY ARISES TO PAMPER YOURSELF AND SHOW EACH OTHER – We are in this together!
PARENTS LOOKING AFTER THEMSELVES
SOME IDEAS –
Dinner Date – Plan for YOU AND ME time when the kids have gone down
A WEEKEND TREAT
- PLAN THE MENU AND BEVERAGES
- DECORATE THE TABLE, FLOWERS, CANDLES
- CHOOSE THE MUSIC
- IT’S YOUR TIME AND SPACE
EXERCISE
YOUR EARLY MORNING WALK OR RUN (or whenever you can get out)
EXERCISE – WALK TIME TOGETHER –
GIFTS – I AM THINKING OF YOU!
At the supermarket …. Buy some flowers or another small gift give to give to your husband, wife or partner ….. with a message “WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER” ❤️
YOUR TME
MEDITATION – QUIET TIME (you not only DESERVE you NEED IT)
WRITE A NOTE (slip it under the pillow)
WRITE YOUR HUSBAND, WIF, PARTNER a NOTE – Slip it under their pillow
“Hi Thought I’d let you know we did well today !“
“Hi, Just a note to say I love you – Thanks for your work today!“
“Hi, Boy the kids were tough today – Lucky we have each other !
- PLAN the days TOGETHER
- SUPPORT EACH OTHER
- SHARE THE LOAD
CHILDREN CAN HELP TO TAKE SOME OF THE LOAD
GRANDPARENTS
- Call in via Zoom regularly – so as a family unit you stay connected.
- Post each other a note, a book, or some surprise – Children to grandparents, Grandparents to children
THOSE ON THEIR OWN
- Don’t forget your parents if they are own their own – widow, widowers
- A regular call
- Send them flowers or small gift (express post – Cheap)
- What about a meal through one of the providers e.g. https://www.gourmetdinnerservice.com.au/
YOU ARE HUMAN – YOU CAN SAY IT’S TOUGH – I NEED SUPPORT OR NEED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE –
IT’S OK AND NORMAL TO DO SO!
Most importantly if it is getting too much – seek help and advice.
- https://www.psycom.net/too-much-stress/
- https://youngwomenshealth.org/2013/03/27/stress/
- https://yogasamatva.com/blog/yoga-lifestyle/50-things-to-do-when-you-are-feeling-stressed/
- Australian Government: Head to Health https://www.headtohealth.gov.au
- Beyond Blue Support Service – Support. https://www.beyondblue.org.au
- Black Dog Institute. https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
Stay safe and let’s support each other!
IDEAS, ACTIVITIES AND SUPPORT
Five ideas for parents with young children in lockdown – https://www.bestchance.org.au/blog/ideas-for-children-in-lockdown
Lessons from lockdown one: Remote learning and the pressures facing working parents – https://lens.monash.edu/@politics-society/2020/07/13/1380825/lessons-from-lockdown-one-working-parents-need-understanding-and-support
https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/coronavirus-covid-19-guide
https://www.antonine.catholic.edu.au/uploads/Resources-to-assist-Parents-during-COVID.pdf
#125 FUNS IDEAS FOR FAMILIES DURING LOCKDOWN
https://newywithkids.com.au/family-fun-social-distancing-coronavirus
