The Better Mom

COVID-19 pandemic has taken the whole world by surprise and put everyone’s mental wellness at stake. Social distancing is the new normal but throwing in the towel would be the last option.

At the beginning of this year, Jan 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an outbreak of a new Coronavirus disease, COVID 19, and termed it as an international concern.

In March, the World Health Organization named COVID 19 as a pandemic. Because of this, schools were closed indefinitely, and parents had to work from home while parenting.

To help in the new normal, WHO took charge and published a 6-page document for guiding parents on how to balance among homeschooling, upbringing, and staying sane during this period.

Working at home as a mom while your children are around can be hectic and draining. Juggling between works and giving out all the attention that your kids need ought to be heart-wrenching and can push you over the edge. Chances of being provoked are high, and that’s why it is good to handle situations as they’re without forcing yourself to limits.

I am not an exception when it comes to this. House chores, schooling, freelancing, and attending to the children all by you can be a hard nut to crack. Imagine trying to beat a deadline, and the so-called ‘work partner’ is on your toes trying to take the laptop from you to satisfy his needs of watching their favorite cartoon. Sometimes I’m left wondering why they find it best to use my computer rather than the television!

If you as a parent aren’t careful enough, this COVID-19 will leave you drained, and if you are not stressed out, I bet family conflicts will be on the rise.

My question is; do you have strategies that will help you push through this pandemic.

Here are some of the strategies that will come through for you as a mom and your beloved children.

We all know that you can’t give what you don’t have, right? How can you remain sane during this COVID-19 pandemic?

To moms

Since we all know that we can’t give what we don’t have, how are you keeping mentally well despite the COVID-19 pandemic?

Self-care is vital, and as a mom, you should be at the forefront to ensure that you are mentally fit before you handle the stress and anxiety brought about by this pandemic?

Here are some of the things that you can practice at the comfort of your home;

1. By being mindful of self-care routines, e.g., going for a bike ride or improving on your sleep patterns.
2. Engage in productive activities, e.g., creating a portfolio.
3. Meditation
4. Be an open mom to your children; remember they’re looking up to you. Tell them how you feel and how you are handling the heat brought out about by the pandemic. It is the best thing you can offer to your kids who are looking up to you.
5. Talk openly: There is a lot of info going around on all the available social media platforms. As a mom, you must tell them what is happening around the globe as the COVID-19 pandemic is concerned. Tell them what you know and don’t shy away from telling them openly that you don’t know some of these things. If you got no idea, admit it.
6. Get a good book, and get immersed in it. Reading will help you to keep away from distractions that can be brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
7. Do you love singing and dancing along to your favorite jam? I do. Put some music on, create space, and sing your heart out with no care of what is going on around the globe. There’s a quote by Johnny Depp, “Music touches us emotionally, where words alone can’t touch.” Get lost in your world and let the music caress you and take away your worries and fears.

As a mom, the best thing you can do to yourself and to the kids that look up to you are by being mentally fit. Unfit mom mentally can never take care of herself nor handle the heat that is going on around her.

I advocate for self-care.

To children

I am sure that children have had a rough, bumpy ride while trying to consume and digest what COVID-19 is all about. Parents were prepared mentally of what this pandemic would bring, but to children, it became as a shocker.

Closure of schools, social distancing, and physical distance is hard for children to ingest and their fragile minds to conceive. Trying to convince them that what they’re witnessing is the new norm can be daunting, but it is for you as a parent to let them know what is happening without scaring them away.

Here are some of the ways that you can help kids to cope during this pandemic.

1. Have a one-on-one. Having a conversation with your child can be very helpful and reassuring. Spare and spend some time with and for them.
2. We all know that kids can become a handful at times, and driving you crazy can happen sooner or later. Don’t pour your anger; let them know of their shortcomings and always ensure that you address them by their names.
3. As fear and sadness may take a better part because of this pandemic, it helps them to find positive and helpful ways to express their feelings. Allow them to feel that safety and support are guaranteed, and this will go a long way.
4. If the children aren’t in isolation with their parents/ loved ones, kindly schedule telephone calls/ video calls and let them have conversations for their connection to remain intact.
5. Allow and encourage them to play games and socialize within the family setup. Answer any questions concerning this directive.
6. As concerns will keep on arising, be ready to address them while putting their ages into consideration.
7. Share the facts on how an individual can play a decisive part in keeping COVID-19 at bay, e.g., hand washing and observing social distance.

Final thoughts

Feeling stressed and anxious might be the norm during this pandemic, but what matters is how you, as a mom, are going to handle the heat by also ensuring your children are at ease.

Self-care is vital for your well-being. Be at the forefront to ensure that you have a stable mind so that you’ll also be in a position to help the children fit in the new normal. Sending signals that you’re stressed or giving up would be the last option.

Show some love to your kids, spend quality time together, bond, and talk openly about the COVID-19 pandemic, and this will make things easier for the family.

Let them know that once the pandemic is over, they will get back to school, and life will continue.

In the meantime, tell them how isolation, hand washing, sanitizing, and keeping a social distance is vital to help fight this monster.