From Karen Gonzalez ... you are on my mind.
March 23, 2020
Hello Families,
I really enjoyed seeing many of you at our online coffee hour on Saturday and your kids at our online FD on Sunday! I've been thinking a lot about how hard this is for your kids and wanted to share something with you.
When my youngest was in the 4th grade, she spent part of almost every night sleeping in our bedroom. It took us awhile to determine the cause, but essentially it came down to this: she was afraid for us. She was afraid that when she wasn't looking, something bad would happen to us! We'd spent so much time reassuring her that she was fine and safe, but we didn't realize that we had to tell her we were, too!
I can imagine that some of your kids may be feeling that their parents aren't safe - especially if you are needing to go to work or leave your house for any other reason. I offer some of the following suggestions, some of which I'm sure you are already doing. I hope they help.
- Try to keep their exposure to news at a minimum. Choose one room from which you can watch or listen to the news, or read on your phone during only specific times.
- Try not to share your concerns with them - they have enough of their own!
- Do tell them what you're doing to be safe and share (or fake) your confidence in those practices.
- Remind them that love surrounds them, and love surrounds you, too!
- Remind them that there are many helpers and they will do their best to keep everyone safe, including you.
- Remind them that they are also helpers and ask them what more they can do to help - draw pictures or write messages for hospital/ grocery store/ delivery workers, give a parent a shoulder massage, mail a letter to a friend who is also sad.
- Sing! Many of our hymns can be found on Youtube. I attached "Love Surrounds Me" here.
- Revisit the meditation I used on Sunday. I've attached that here, too.
- Encourage them to help in creating a schedule for themselves for each day that includes self-care time, fun time, exercise time, and time to care for others. The more empowered they feel, the more resilient they'll realize they are.
Below is some helpful information: a copy of the Emily Dickinson poem I read on Sunday and some coloring and activity pages that could help fill the time.
I'd love to see them next Sunday. You can also send me images of things your kids have created and I'll post them to our Facebook page. For older kids (or grownups) who would like to fill their time volunteering right now, I've attached a list of interesting online volunteer projects - would your kids like to create close-captions for their favorite Youtube video?!
I'm working on creating some activities for us this week and will let you know when they're scheduled. Our Sunday class time will likely change, too, as I'd like to create separate classes for everyone this week.
Until then, give your kids a hug from me and have them give you a hug from me, too!
In faith,
Karen Gonzalez
Director of Faith Development
River of Grass Unitarian Universalist Congregation
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