For many, parenting in 2020 has felt somewhat like an ongoing natural disaster. The pandemic has continued to unfold right before our eyes, and yet no one knows how to mitigate the overwhelming sense of confusion in our nation. Returning to school safely in the current climate is a major concern for everyone. So, what is a parent to do? Children across the country are eagerly expecting to return to school in the coming weeks, and yet no real plan has been established for how to do so safely.
Regardless of school opening plans made by local leaders, there are preventative measures we can take as parents to reduce the severity of the pandemic’s effects. Taking the following steps will help you create your Pandemic Preparedness Plan to help reduce stress, fear, and anxiety. You can use this plan to help prepare your kids (and yourself) for an unusual back-to-school season, filled with novel transitions and uncomfortable change.
Pandemic Preparedness Plan
Step 1: Gather Information
Now is a great time to do a check-in. Whether you do it collectively as a family, or you check in with each family member independently, see how everyone is doing and consider their concerns. Discuss any hopes and fears your child may have and what you can do to support them. Don’t forget to prioritize checking-in with yourself.
You will also want to gather information from your local school district. Determine where they are in the planning stages, the direction they are headed in, and assess for any safety concerns. Will the children be made to wear masks during school? If yes, will you be responsible for providing masks? What about hand sanitizer and other cleaning supplies? Obtaining these items early may help to reduce stress for you and your child in the fall. If you have friends or family members who can possibly help out during this coming school year, be sure to gather this information as well. This step is crucial to creating a functional plan.
Step 2: Establish Priorities
Consider the specific needs in your household, and identify what needs to take priority this school year. Take into consideration the overall well-being of your family, expected levels of performance, and capabilities. Use this information to then determine roles and responsibilities. Always prioritize your family’s health and safety, and identify any barriers to doing so.
Step 3: Practice Your Plan
Creating a plan is half of the battle. Practicing and keeping up with your plan will present its own unique challenges. Once you have come up with a plan that takes into consideration the family as a whole, you will want to share the plan with your family. Make any adjustments necessary, and discuss the need to keep the plan up-to-date.
As a family, be prepared to pivot as necessary. Pivoting is a skill we are often forced to learn. But remember, children will need additional support with adjusting and adapting to our current reality. Assure your child that no matter what happens, you will help them navigate the transitions. Take some time to teach your children their roles within the plan, and practice. You will also want to plan how you can work with others during difficult moments.
As mentioned in step one, make sure you increase your check-ins, and communicate frequently. Ask open-ended questions, and create a safe space for respectful honesty. Increased communication will lend way for increased connection and closeness. Take this time to grow closer as a family.
These steps are by no means exhaustive, but they include a few important considerations for preparing to go back to school. When any unexpected crisis strikes, the situation has the potential to create chaos and confusion. Developing a plan that works for you and your family is crucial for resiliency and sustainability. It helps to provide the stability and consistency families need in order to thrive.
Similar to being prepared for a disaster, creating your pandemic preparedness plan can help lessen the impact of the current climate on your family. We can’t always predict the climate, but we can plan and prepare for changes. Moving forward with a plan is always better than proceeding cautiously without one. Remember, natural disasters don’t last forever, and neither will the pandemic.