Struggling with Uncertainty
Dear Families - As the last few weeks of summer wind down I know that for many of the you the future seems uncertain due to the predicted resurgence of COVID among the unvaccinated this fall, many of whom are your children not old enough to receive the vaccine. And even if your entire family has already been vaccinated, you may be wondering if and how a resurgence would affect you.
If you're like me, your first reaction might be, "Oh, no! Not again!" Here are some strategies to help you through another wave of uncertainty.
Recognize that you have already been through A LOT since March 2020 and yes, you should be tired. Go easy on yourself and the family. Know that pandemic dread/fatigue is real.
Instead of trying to go back to "normal," it's time to go "simple" - cut back on family obligations and the constant busyness which was the norm pre-pandemic. When I was a teacher in a private prep school I'd advise busy parents who felt pressured to enroll their children in extracurriculars five days a week to limit them to just one extracurricular and one social obligation like church each week for the whole family's well-being.
Remember that you somehow made it through the previous waves of the pandemic, and that you have acquired many new skills and have already adapted to a new way of life. You've come a long way!
I'm sure you are experiencing anxiety for your children returning to school - schools with no masks or distancing requirements. Talking to sympathetic friends and classmates' families can help: sharing your fears with close friends can help ease the burden, and classmates can support each other to normalize mask wearing and distancing at school.
Give your children the words to explain why they are wearing masks so they can answer those who question their mask wearing. Have your child practice saying simple phrases such as "My family wears masks in public places like school." or "I don't want to get sick so I'm wearing a mask."
The diagram below usually helps me cope with the uncertainty around the virus and can be used with children, too. I like this diagram because not only does it remind me of what I have control over in my life, it teaches me to come to terms with events and decisions I can't control. It doesn't mean giving up or giving in to the powers that be and the decisions made for me, but instead helps me think outside the box, reminds me to do what I can, and then be at peace with my decisions and actions.
The fall will be an anxious time for all families. Please remember Horizon is here for you even through the building is not yet open. Reach out to Pastoral Care or me if you'd like to talk.
Your in Faith,
Lauren
Lauren Daniell
Director of Lifespan Religious Education
DLRE@horizonuu.org