You usually hear from me in my capacity as a Congressman, but I’m first and foremost a dad to two grade-schoolers. Talking to our kids about the coronavirus and maintaining any sense of normalcy at home has been a challenge for so many parents and caregivers. There’s no playbook for parenting during a global pandemic.
My wife Nicole and I sat down with Dr. Funda Bachini, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. She gave us some helpful advice for parenting during the COVID-19 crisis, including the importance of keeping routines, taking breaks and having honest conversations about what’s happening. More than anything, she stressed that there’s no one right way to parent.
I learned a lot from our conversation, and I wanted to share it with you. Watch the full video here.
Visit the CDC’s website for more resources for parents and caregivers to help children manage stress and anxiety and stay healthy. And public institutions such as the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress also offer free educational games and activities to keep kids engaged at home.
Let me know what other COVID-19 resources you and your family need by taking my survey.