What is Parenting?
Examining dictionary definitions of parenting is a helpful start. Sources such as Merriam-Webster, the Cambridge Dictionary, Collins Dictionary, and Dictionary.com define what parenting is in very similar ways. Using an amalgam of these official sources, the definition of parenting includes elements like these:
The process of raising a child from birth to independent adulthood
Facilitating the upbringing of a child through all stages of development
Caring for and nurturing a child
Fulfilling the parental responsibilities that accompany child-raising
The act of caring for a child rather than the biological connection to a child
Establishing a healthy environment as the child grows—taking actions to ensure social development and education that aligns with your values
Providing a financially stable home life (note: this is not the same as being wealthy)
Adjusting to the changing needs of a child as they grow and develop
These definitions are accurate and helpful, providing some insight into what parenting is. However, they are a bit stark and black-and-white, delineating a definition of parenting as a simple checklist. In that respect, they fall a bit short of valuable parenting education. Parenting can also be described as the meaning it holds for parents.
A joyful and good environment is a must especially in times of crisis. Good parenting and healthy habit during a crisis keep us safe from dangers.
Parenting In Crowded Homes And Communities During Covid-19
Keeping your family healthy and safe from COVID-19 can feel even harder when you live in crowded conditions. But there are things you can do to make this easier for your family.
Stay where you are
Limit those leaving and returning to your immediate living space to as few and as infrequent as possible.
Only leave your household or area for essential reasons like getting food or medical attention.
Help your children with physical distancing
Explain to your children that they have an important job of keeping themselves and their community healthy by temporarily physically. distancing from others
Show them extra positive attention when they make an effort to practice safe physical distancing from others.
Make Handwashing and Hygiene Fun!
It might be hard to find soap and water, but practicing good hygiene is more important now than ever.
Try to wash all family members’ hands as often as possible.
Let children teach each other how to wash their hands.
Encourage children to avoid touching their face.
Share the Load
Looking after children and other family members is difficult in cramped spaces, but it’s much easier when responsibilities are shared.
Try to share household chores, childcare, and other tasks equally among family members.
Create a schedule for time “on” and time “off” with other adults in your household.
It is okay to ask for help when you are feeling tired or stressed, so that you can take a break.
Exercise Daily
Encourage children to think of activities they can do to exercise while avoiding contact with people who do not live already in your immediate space.
Jumping activities, dancing or running in circles can be fun!
Take a Pause
You might not have space to yourself to deal with all the stress and emotions you are feeling.
Notice when you are feeling stressed or upset and take a pause…even three deep breaths can make a difference! Millions of families find that this helps.
Keeping positive, having a routine and trying to find someone-to-one time with each child when you can help you manage your child behaviours and your feelings.
Parenting Children With Disabilities
All children, including those with disabilities, need love, respect, nurturing, and time, especially during difficult and uncertain times.
Keep Your Child Safe
It is strongly recommended that you follow local guidelines for COVID-19 while helping your child stay as active as possible both indoors and outdoors.
Ask your local support team or intervention centres about special arrangements for the COVID-19.
Keep emergency contact numbers where you can easily see it, such as on the refrigerator.
Ask for help if you can
Share the load with other adult family members.
You are not alone! Keep connected with people who understand your situation. Share your challenges AND your successes.
It is normal to feel stressed, frustrated and afraid at this time.
Be kind to yourself and take a break when you need to! See “When We Get Angry” and “Keep Calm and Manage Stress” for more advice.
Be Supportive, Empathetic and Loving
Your child may not have the same support they usually have and this can lead to additional challenges, such as increased stress, anxiety and frustration.
Use physical and verbal support to make your child feel accepted and loved.
Positive body language, gestures and words make a big difference!
Communicating With Your Child
Get down to your child’s level when communicating with your child.
Maintain eye contact and a positive attitude.
Take your time to allow your child the space to communicate.
Observe, listen to and confirm that you understand your child.
Reinforce the Positive!
Reinforce strengths with praise and stimulate their abilities rather than highlight the things they cannot do.
Only help children when they need it. Too much support denies them the chance to become independent and can feel patronizing.
Strengthen Routines
Routines help children feel secure and safe. See “Get structured” for more information.
Create a daily routine with activities that are familiar to your child and include some of their favourite activities.
Help your child connect to friends and family members via phone chats, writing cards or drawing pictures.
Provide your child with choices so that they have a sense of control. This also increases self-esteem.
Use simple language and clear instructions and nonverbal communication for children who need it (for example: gestures, pictures, and visual aids).
Parenting Teens
Adolescents may be missing school, friends and their social life. It is important to provide them with extra support as well as the space to express themselves independently.
Spend Time With Your Teen
Plan creative ways to communicate with friends and family (e.g. writing messages or drawing pictures).
Cook a favourite meal together.
Exercise together to their favourite music.
Talk about something they like: sports, music, celebrities, friends.
Talking About COVID-19
Involve them in fact-finding and listen to their questions.
Task them with exploring a topic and reporting back to the family from a radio programme, a newspaper article or the internet.
Sharing Responsibilities
Teens appreciate having extra responsibilities. Allow them to choose a special job that helps out.
Create a time during the day where everyone shares one thing that they enjoyed.
Share responsibilities equally amongst women/men and girls/boys.
Making Routines
Involve your teen in creating daily schedules.
Set goals and rewards together.
Make sure your teen has time to relax along with structured time for chores and schoolwork.
Dealing with Difficult Behaviour
Talk through the effects of challenging behaviour.
Explore alternatives with your teen and let them make suggestions.
Decide together on clear and fair rules and boundaries.
Praise your teen when they behave well and follow guidelines.
Promote Kindness and Compassion
Model kindness and compassion for those who are sick and those who are caring for the sick.
Share how your teen can make a difference like standing up for someone facing discrimination or helping a neighbor with food deliveries if they live alone.
Help Your Teen Manage Stress
Teens will get stressed too - sometimes from different things than you.
Allow them to express how they feel and accept their feelings.
Try to listen to your teen and see things from their perspective.
Do relaxing and fun activities together.
Keep Your Teen Safe Online
Involve your teen in creating family tech agreements about healthy device use.
Help your teen learn how to keep personal information private, especially from strangers.
Remind your teen that they can talk to you whenever they experience something upsetting online.
Parenting a New Baby
We spend a lot of time indoors with a young baby and COVID-19 makes it much more intense. It is completely normal to feel isolated, overwhelmed, anxious, and scared for you and your baby.
Sharing is Caring
Use social media, phone calls and anything at your disposal to reach out and connect with others.
Take turns with others to care for your baby. Take time for YOU.
Sleep when your baby sleeps so you have energy.
Communicating With Your Baby
Follow your baby’s lead by copying or mirroring.
Repeat and react to their babble or words.
Use your child’s name when you speak to your baby.
Use words to describe what your baby is doing.
Learning with Your Baby
Make their environment interesting!
Babies respond to stimulation.
Let your baby explore the world through the 5 senses!
Babies Learn Through Play!
Get to your baby’s level and make sure they can see and hear you.
Play peek-a-boo, sing songs or lullabies, stack blocks or cups.
Make music together: banging on pots, playing with rattlers, shaking jars with beans .
Share books together - even at a very early age! Describe what is happening in the pictures. Let your baby explore books with all of the senses.
When babies cry
Respond to your baby immediately.
Check to see what is making your baby cry.
Swaddling or gently rocking can help calm your baby.
Singing a lullaby or playing soft music can be soothing.
Keep calm and take a break! You can place your baby in a safe place on their back and then walk away. Be sure to check on your baby every 5 to 10 minutes.
If you think your baby is injured or ill, call a health service provider or visit a clinic.
Be gentle with your children as they learn, but also with yourself as the parent!
Just because something didn’t go well today or you lost your temper, this doesn’t define who you are as a parent. Remind yourself of the things you did well today, even if they may seem small.