Parenting tips while in quarantine
While we are still in quarantine due to COVID-19, it can cause our kids to become restless and maybe start to show signs of bad behavior. The World Health Organization has tips on the best ways to react and redirect children’s energy to help them make good choices instead of bad choices.
The first thing the World Health Organization suggests is to redirect your child’s energy by catching their bad behavior early. Then, redirect their attention to a good behavior. For example, when your children start to get restless, distract them with something interesting or fun to do by playing a game. Games can be anything as simple as playing rock, paper, scissors to something more intricate, like a board game or reading to your children.
The next thing that the World Health Organization recommends is taking a pause when you feel like screaming. Inhale and exhale about five times before getting too upset or angry. This way, you can respond in a calmer way. When we are angry, we can say hurtful things. Millions of parents have told the World Health Organization that this works. This is also something we can teach our children to do as well.
Lastly, it is important to implement consequences for bad behaviors when it is necessary. Consequences are things that help teach children responsibilities for their actions. According to the World Health Organization, giving consequences is more effective than hitting or yelling. Allow your child to follow your instruction before giving them a consequence. It is also important to remain calm while giving a consequence and following through with it. An example of a consequence would be taking away their phone or electronics for a few hours.
Once your child has completed their consequence, give them the opportunity to do a good deed like washing the dishes, taking out the trash, or helping a sibling. Reward your children for these behaviors.
Reducing your child’s bad behavior could include one-on-one time, praise for making good choices, and consistent routines. Scheduling a time to wake up, completing AMI work, feeding and walking the pets, and other chores that need to be done around the house are ways to develop a routine.
It is a very stressful time especially since some are unable to work or are learning how to work from home. Schools are closed, so parents may be struggling to create balance for their kids. It is times like these when we need to look on the positive side of things; this a chance to make better relationships with our children and teenagers.
For 4-H members, this is a great time to work with your livestock that you are going to show at the fair, do some independent studying in your project area, or updating and working on record books!
Other resources for parenting tips can be found at The World Health Organization’s website. The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service COVID-19 resources can be found at http://www.uaex.edu/covid19. Be sure to follow the Garland County Extension Service on our new Facebook Page, @ garlandcountyextension for up-to-date information. Soon, we will be back to normal and until then, stay safe, stay healthy, and keep washing your hands!
4-H information
There are several 4-H Clubs for Garland county youths who are 5 to 19 years old. For more information on all the fun 4-H activities that are available for youths, call Carol Ann McAfee at the Extension office at 623-6841 or email her at cmcafee@uaex.edu.
Master Gardener information
Master Gardener meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at the Elks Lodge. They’re open to the public and guests are welcome. For more information, call the Extension office at 623-6841 or email Alex Dykes at adykes@uaex.edu.
EHC information
Are you interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For information on EHC, call Alison Crane at 623-6841 or email acrane@ uaex.edu.