Guidance Tips For You and Your Family God's peace, Mr. "D".

1. Accurate Information

Being informed allows you to make better decisions and gives control over the things that directly impact you. Below are two trusted organizations with accurate information about the COVID-19.

• The World Health Organization

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Share This Information with Your Children

This is an opportunity to have open dialogue about the state we are in and answer questions. It is also okay to not have answers to every question.

· What is the COVID-19?

· How do I prevent myself from getting it?

· How do I get it?

· How would I know if I have it?

· What do I do if I have it?

These are all questions that we are all thinking about and having the answers to these questions may ease some of our fears and anxiety. The two websites above have additional information that will help you answer these questions.

What is COVID-19 in Kid-friendly Language?

Information sourced from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention

Model Behaviors

It is true that we feed off of what others are feeling. Your children will follow what you do. Anxiety and fear may show up in different ways. It is important to be aware of this and to find ways you and your family can be at ease. Below are some suggestions:

· Stay in the present

· Reframe what’s happening

· Fact check your thoughts

· Deep breathing exercises

· 3-3-3 Rule: Name 3 things you see, 3 things you hear and move 3 parts of your body.

Do Something

In times like these, it is important to keep doing something. Children are at home from school and some parents are home as well, develop a home routine of things you can do together. This will allow the family to feel more connected and secure in this chaotic time. Below are some ideas of what families can do together.

· Have a set wake up and bedtime (maybe nap time)

· Cook meals together

· Watch movies

· Have a ‘learning time’ every day to give you some adult time

· Play games

· Play or listen to music

· Have a creative day

· Find ways to move your bodies and get fresh air

· Story telling

During this time, we agree, there is some uncertainty of the situation which is causing anxiety and fear. What we do know is that there are things we do have control over and we are able to do which gives us some ease. Use this time to connect with your families and have conversations about this. We trust that the leaders of this country and the world health leaders are working towards eradicating COVID-19. We all have a part we can play. Pray every day. Be safe.