Tips for parenting during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
< Back to UNICEF COVID-19 portal The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has upended family life around the world. School closures, working remote, physical distancing — it's a lot to navigate for anyone, but especially for parents. We teamed up with the Parenting for Lifelong Health initiative to bring parents and caregivers a set of…, Explore the parenting tips, 1. One-on-one time 2. Keeping it positive 3. Get structured 4. Bad behaviour 5. Keep calm and manage stress 6. Talking about COVID-19, 1. One-on-one time, Can’t go to work? Schools closed? Worried about money? It is normal to feel stressed and overwhelmed. School shutdown is also a chance to make better relationships with our children and teenagers. One-on-One time is free and fun. It makes children feel loved and secure, and shows them that they are important. Download COVID-19_parenting_tips_en…, 2. Keeping it positive, It‘s hard to feel positive when our kids or teenagers are driving us crazy. We often end up saying “Stop doing that!”. But children are much more likely to do what we ask if we give them positive instructions and lots of praise for what they do right. Download COVID-19_parenting_tips_en these tips [PDF format]. Say the behaviour you want to see…, 3. Get structured , COVID-19 has taken away our daily work, home and school routines. This is hard for children, teenagers and for you. Making new routines can help. Download COVID-19_parenting_tips_en these tips [PDF format]. Create a flexible but consistent daily routine Make a schedule for you and your children that has time for structured activities as well…, 4. Bad behaviour, All children misbehave. It is normal when children are tired, hungry, afraid, or learning independence. And they can drive us crazy when stuck at home. Download COVID-19_parenting_tips_en these tips [PDF format]. Redirect Catch bad behavior early and redirect your kids’ attention from a bad to a good behavior. Stop it before it starts! When they…, 5. Keep calm and manage stress, This is a stressful time. Take care of yourself, so you can support your children. Download COVID-19_parenting_tips_en these tips [PDF format]. You are not alone Millions of people have the same fears as us. Find someone who you can talk to about how you are feeling. Listen to them. Avoid social media that makes you feel panicked. Take a break…, 6. Talking about COVID-19, Be willing to talk. They will already have heard something. Silence and secrets do not protect our children. Honesty and openness do. Think about how much they will understand. You know them best. Download COVID-19_parenting_tips_en these tips [PDF format]. Be open and listen Allow your child to talk freely. Ask them open questions and find out…