Navigating CovID-19 with your student: Action plans to consider
The COVID-19 pandemic serves as a reminder that we must call upon the best of who we are as individuals, parents, and as members of our local and world communities.
It also is a reminder that our everyday world can drastically change in the blink of an eye and it is imperative that we respond well to both seen and unforeseen challenges.
Just like everywhere else, this pandemic has created unprecedented circumstances for our University of Arizona community. We’ve had to act quickly, ask our students to return home, care for those students that remain, migrate to an online teaching format, and cancel commencement ceremonies. As we’ve addressed these challenges, we have been working with our students, here and at home, to protect and serve in a manner that demonstrates commitment, competence, and compassion.
So, what can we do as parents? We continue to love and serve our children whether they are back at home in Tucson, or elsewhere. Where and how do we response to COVID-19, as parents?
Perhaps the first place to look is, how we are personally responding to this pandemic. Are we experiencing fear and/or possibly submerged in overwhelming anxiety or worry? Fear is an appropriate response to a real threat and motivates us to take decisive action. Anxiety and worry are reactions to both real and perceived threats. Distinguish between what is real and what is not. Facts matter. Anxiety and worry can take us away from thoughtful action planning. If you experience an over-abundance of anxiety or worry, harness it as a motivator in order to take reliable action and not let it overrule sensible decisions.
This means you find ways to soothe yourself for your own and for your student’s sake. Remember, your child will be looking to you for a sense of security and calmness and will take cues from you on how to respond wisely. So, soothe yourself. Take walks with proper physical distancing, video-chat with peers who can support you, try a little at-home yoga, set a time limit on viewing or listening to the news. Binge watch something enjoyable (I recommend Hulu’s, Better Things - moms will especially relate to it). Enjoy some comfort food, dance in the living room, notice the beauty of nature, BREATHE, etc. Do anything that will ground you so you can manage a thoughtful response to the COVID-19 pandemic. See, hear, and touch the beauty that exists in the world and the abundance of joy that is available to cherish…when you look for it.
So, now that you are grounded again - nice job, BTW! – it’s time to make sure to address your best action as a parent. The following links will assist you with personal and public health techniques to make sure you can maximize your own, your student’s, and the public’s safety:
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Info
Next: It is likely that your student is going to miss out on those last precious months of hanging out with their friends. Perhaps you have a senior who will miss graduating in the traditional ceremonies. It’s important to validate your student’s feelings about missing these important milestones Listen! With input from your student, friends and family, create a new graduation ritual that will feel meaningful to. Many colleges are coming up with online graduation events and the University of Arizona is no exception. Stay tuned.
Counseling & Psych Services Info
Pay attention to the behaviors of your student(s). Almost everyone’s feelings are more amplified during this crisis. Learn to distinguish between normal expressions of sadness, anger and worry from expressions that you need to become deeply concerned about. Pay attention to destructive behaviors, especially an inability to function in routine activities. Do not hesitate to contact our counselors who are seeing patients through Zoom video chats. Here are helpful links to CAPS, should your student need such support:
Tips for Coping during COVID-19 Pandemic
Remind students of their responsibility to complete their e-learning assignments and classes. Encourage them to keep others in their community safe- as some young people feel invulnerable and sometimes forget their responsibility to others. It is possible for a person to be infected, even without symptoms, and potentially infect others. A family or community member who is an elder, has a weakened immune system, or has a compounding condition, like diabetes, may be at great risk.
Ultimately, use your strengths as a family to navigate through this timeframe. Communicate and connect. Validate and celebrate everyday beauty and acts of kindness.
The staff at the University of Arizona have created a significant number of resources to help. The following link is THE place to go for UArizona information, including updates, guidance and resources:
University of Arizona COVID-19 Info-Main Page
Our hearts, thoughts, and actions go out to you all as we do our very best to support you, as parents, and your students, as members of our community. We will get through this, together!