Kids & stress: Lead with science and softness
Parents are kids' number one role models. Here's how to lead by example.
Transcript
As a parent, you are your child's best role model. So if you're acting stressed about things, then that-- they're going to feed off of that.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
The epidemiologist in me is very data driven. And so we've been very intentional,
I would say, about explaining the science behind the why. Kids, I think like adults, don't just
like to be told what to do. You have to understand why you're doing certain things, right, so like the why behind the masking,
the why behind vaccination, the why behind social distancing or like physical distancing outdoors.
And so we've really gone through the science of the virus. And it has really helped them move
through this pandemic in a fact-based way, as opposed to a more emotional way.
I wanted to kind of add something about emotion. Speaking of emotions, I think one thing that parents can just watch out for are feelings of guilt
because I think that I see a lot of projection. Like I feel so bad that my kid can't do this. I feel bad that my kid can't do that.
But the truth is is that your kids don't know otherwise. And so sometimes I think, as a parent,
just to be able to recognize, OK, like, my guilt for my kids not being able to do that is really more of my stuff versus,
you know, what my kid is actually missing in their life. You're absolutely right. The kids don't know what they're missing,
and it doesn't matter as long as you're there. Kids are resilient. And I think as long as parents coach them and lead them through it, it's going to be OK.
stress management
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