Living creatures adapt, and adaptability is a great strength. Most of us have adapted to isolation, physical distancing, working from home and the new norm context of COVID-19. We may not like it, but we have come to accept the context and the purpose. That does not mean it was, or is easy and it took some days and weeks to move through the stages of grieving when we were first managing the impact of the Corona virus. Disbelief and denial, anger, bargaining or negotiating, sadness, and finally some measure of acceptance. Having made it to a place of greater acceptance, we now find ourselves in a new context. We are able to see family and friends in small groups, schools are beginning to transition students back, we can play golf, train for sport in small groups and soon we can even watch some football. The stages and types of restrictions vary from state to state, but the gate that enclosed us has been left ajar. There are sure to be a range of unique interpretations, what may seem essential to one, isn’t to another.
So, given that it took us time to transition through the stages of iso and develop an understanding of why we should Stay Home, it will take time to transition to the new norm, bearing in mind the pandemic is not over. We will need to dig deep to build our confidence and adapt again. We didn’t love the crazy pace of life before COVID-19, and so while we transition it’s important to be kind and compassionate with self and others, curious about what we see, hear and most of all feel, accept all our emotions and sit with them. Supporting each other as we “Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Life is not back to normal, just a little more normal. What does this mean for our children? I think it will take time, and trust is vital to adapt to life outside of the family and home again. Grazing all day, wearing relaxed clothes, parents as teachers of reading, writing and maths. Adapting to the routines and timetables at kindergarten and school, to expectations set by other adults, and children who are not siblings. Maybe it’ll be easier for some, but I suggest that they will need all our love, support and compassion to thrive and flourish. This new norm has parents leaving their children at the gates of Early Childhood Centres, unable to settle them as before. Little wonder some of them are anxious; their lives have been significantly impacted. Strong home school partnerships will be integral to this transition. Ask how your child is going. How the teachers are feeling? How you can help to shift some of their worries to wonderings. We all need time, patience and understanding, more stimulation and “newness” will be tiring, as greater effort and energy is required to navigate anything new. Adults too need to treat themselves with that same love and compassion. We can hug and cuddle the family we live with, do it often, read and tell lots of beautiful happy stories, engage in sensory play, mindfulness, music or anything that evokes safety, security and unconditional love. If you need any help with this please ask, the bravest leaders are those who ask for help. We are all situational leaders and parents are CEOs of the most important organizations in the world – FAMILIES.
