The ‘new normal’ for parents

The ‘new normal’ for parents –

A few months into the pandemic most of us are tired of hearing and talking about Covid-19. The jokes that are forwarded are no longer funny; we’ve had enough of that too.

Unfortunately for as long as the world has not found a cure or a vaccine for Covid-19, our current situation and lifestyle are not going to change drastically in the foreseeable future. What has been termed a ‘new normal’ (you might even start to dislike this expression too!) is going to be all around us: a new way of living, a new way of moving around, which will be less often than before, a new way of working and a new way of interacting with others.

Everything happens step-by-step and change is inevitable

South Africa is a large country and the dynamics of the outbreak are different in different provinces and regions. Our government, together with governments across the world, are learning as they go along as this is the first modern pandemic the world has had to face.

It’s futile to fight against what is decided – it will take time before we return to a life that resembles the one we knew before all of this took place.

‘Let’s NOT talk about Covid-19’ was the suggestion on www.psychologytoday.com. Precisely because everything is happening step-by-step yet changes to what can be done or can’t be done is made on a regular basis, it is recommended that you spend your time productively and that you focus on what is positive. Too much focus on the virus, pandemic and lockdown rules will only lead to feelings of helplessness, frustration and anxiety. Rather focus on being adaptable to what is happening around you.

Parent involvement is more important than ever before

It is generally agreed that parent involvement is one of the most accurate predictors of a child’s academic achievement. At the moment this is even more paramount than ever before.

Ensuring that your child has access to academic resources, remains in contact with his/her teachers, keeps up to date with school work, follows a timetable for working at home and remains emotionally secure are a large part of what parents should monitor for as long as schools have not fully reopened yet.

A hug as you walk past whilst they are at their desks will also go a long way to help your child cope emotionally. All work and no play, makes days (or the lockdown, even in Level 3) dull – set time aside to make good memories by coming up with fun activities to do. Make the ‘new normal’ work for everyone in the family.

Rewind to the 80s, but with internet

On www.news24.com Herman Singh, an adjunct professor at the UCT Graduate School of Business, described the ‘new normal’ as ‘Rewind to the 80s, but with internet’!

So – say thank you to the universe for providing us with internet and haul out the music from the 80s!

Read Singh’s insightful opinion piece on the ‘new normal’ here.