Individual Counseling For Parental Anxiety About Returning To School In An Ongoing Pandemic

Individual counseling at Take Charge, Inc. in Johnson County, KS can help to cope with the anxiety adults may be feeling about their children returning to school during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With mask mandates returning in some areas and CDC guidelines encouraging everyone to return to wearing masks in indoor public spaces, many parents are even more concerned for the health and safety of their children than they were last year when at least most were able to stay at home. 

Physical Health Concerns 

For parents of students returning to physical classrooms, their health is the primary source of anxiety. Stressing the importance of handwashing, mask-wearing, and social distancing without heightening fear is a delicate but crucial balance. Try to frame these measures as protective solutions that make it safe to go to school rather than emphasizing the risk. Individual counseling can help you learn ways to alleviate your anxiety as well as your child’s while communicating the necessity of precautions.

Continued Remote Learning 

Some students may still have the option of learning remotely. For their parents, isolation and lack of physical activity are likely big worries. Safe and monitored use of video chats, social media, and online games can provide opportunities for those feeling isolated to connect with, learn and play with their friends and relatives. Balancing online time with offline activities is crucial, and time should be spent outside whenever possible. Adequate exercise relieves stress and helps with focus, so daily physical activity should be emphasized.

Stigmatization And Bullying

Bullying, particularly around stigmatization of pandemic-related issues, may be of additional concern again this year. It is important to explain to children that the virus has nothing to do with how someone looks, where they are from, what language they speak, or their social or economic status. It is also vital to talk to kids about bullying, tell them that they deserve to be safe in school and that they should always feel comfortable talking to a trusted adult about any issues they are having. You should check in with them daily and ask them about their feelings as well as their time at school and their activities online. This will help to alleviate your own anxiety as well as supporting your child If there is an issue that you are struggling to identify or resolve, individual counseling is recommended.

Individual Counseling Can Help

Stress spreads much like a virus, particularly within families. Children are not only exposed to their parents’ stress but learn how to cope and regulate it by watching them. If you are not handling the stress of returning to school in a pandemic well, your children are likely to be suffering similarly. Individual counseling can teach you coping strategies to not only alleviate your own anxiety but instill healthy coping mechanisms in your children.

For more information about individual counseling, call Take Charge, Inc. at (913) 239-8255 or click here to schedule an appointment.