Being there for your kids - Pandemic Options

Episode Date: October 18, 2021

In these difficult times, we are all called upon to make the best of it. With both anxiety and depression on the rise during the pandemic, how can we plan get togethers and still be safe? In my first letter, a mom laments that her 5 year old's birthday may not happen as the little boy would like. I give her some options and encourage her active listening her son's frustrations and disappointment. My second letter comes from a teen, at her mom's encouragement. With her 13th birthday party on the rails, she concludes "This pandemic sucks!!" I help her make plans that are both fun and safe. How can we make the best out of a bad situation?

I'm Dr. John Robinson, and this is Teachable Moments. I have a few more letters for you today. Here's the first one. Dear Dr. Robinson, since this pandemic has started, I've been isolating at home with my three preschoolers. My husband still goes into work, and it freaks me out every night when he comes home. None of us has tested positive for COVID-19 yet, thank God, but that doesn't keep me from being over cautious and overprotective. My five-year-old asks to have his friends over for a birthday party, like always. He and his brothers have just been playing in the house with each other all of these months. We are all stir crazy.

Should I just bite the bullet and put together a normal birthday party for Bobby? And pray that it's not a super sputter event? Signed, Adelos. Dear Adelos, boy, do you have lots of company? I don't know how those brave souls put up with a pandemic for two years back in the day of the influenza of 1918 to 1920. It's only been a year for us, and our whole country is just about done with it all. However, being done with it will not make it go away.

Hosting a super spreader birthday party will be a short-term gain, that is Bobby's happiness, with a possible long-term loss, lest don't even go there. So, think about possible creative options. First, could Bobby have a Zoom party with six of his best buds? Get the word out so that presents are received before the Zoom call, and have Bobby open them with his pals. Have each of their parents available to help them share fun and funny things that have happened to each of them since they were last together in person. Zoom stories, magic tricks that all could share.

Don't forget the birthday cake. Blow out the candles and afterwards send each virtual guest their slice of the birthday cake. It could be fun for all. Another option is to have the party outside with everybody masked up and socially distant. obviously this option is more tricky but possibly doable Bobby could take wax at a birthday pinata and share the candy with all they could also socially distance a treasure hunt in the yard finally if your doubts and safeguards are too much to bear

then level with Bobby and active listen to his frustration and disappointment that he won't be having a typical birthday party this year also help him put together a family birthday party extravaganza that will be safe for all involved oh by the way tell Bob Bobby, happy birthday for me. Blessings, Dr. John. Here's another letter. Dear Dr. Robinson, my mom suggested that I email you. I'm turning 13 next week. The pandemic shutdown sucks. Wearing a mask increases my pimples. I'm tired of being at home doing virtual learning, or rather finding ways to get out of doing it. Usually, my birthday is the best time of the year for me

because of presents, fun, and friends. Not this year. Signed, down in the day. the dumps. Dear D&D, my heart goes out to you. The restrictions and expectations during this pandemic are taking their toll on all of us. The whole we're in this together thing is catchy but trite. How about you? How do you deal with this whole mess? One way that could help you, but also keep everybody safe, is to journal your feelings. Get them all down on paper. Keep it or throw it away if you like, but get them out and read it back to yourself. Try to fill up at least two pages with feelings and circumstances. Be creative. Also, talk to your folks, your bestie, or another whom you see as a confidant. Getting your feelings acknowledged as real and valid helps a lot. Next, brainstorm

how you can have your birthday, despite all the restrictions. Virtually by Zoom? Open Air, masked and socially distant? What else? Finally, look to the future. Take a moment to write down your plans for an awesome birthday party next year when the pandemic is. is in our rearview mirror. Make it fun, fantastic, but also realistic about time and expense. That way it's doable and you can count on it. Hope these options are helpful to you. Say hi to your mom for me. I'm glad she suggested you email me. Later. Blessings, Dr. John. If these letters stir questions of your own, contact me through my website at www. Thereformykids.com or email me at John Robinson,00 at Bellsouth.net. I'm Dr. Jonathan.

and C. Robinson, licensed clinical psychologist and Christian author of Teachable Moments, Building Blocks of Christian Parenting. And this has been Teachable Moments, Building Blocks of Christian Parenting, is available online at AmazonBooks.com and in local and national bookstores. More on Dr. Robinson at tmc, pinc.com.