I will take this opportunity to share another great parenting resource with our school community. Tina Payne Bryson is a psychotherapist and the Founder/Executive Director of The Center for Connection, a multidisciplinary clinical practice, and of The Play Strong Institute, a center devoted to the study, research, and practice of play therapy through a neurodevelopment lens.
Dr. Tina Payne Bryson is the author of Bottom Line for Baby (Random House 2020) and co-author (with Dan Siegel) of THE POWER OF SHOWING UP (Random House 2020) and THE YES BRAIN (Random House 2018), as well as two New York Times bestsellers -- THE WHOLE-BRAIN CHILD (Random House 2011), and NO-DRAMA DISCIPLINE (Random House 2014) -- each of which has been translated into over forty languages.
Let’s Talk About Feelings |
When you’re panicked, internally chaotic, and obsessive about the news, there’s a danger that you’ll dial up your child’s anxiety, leaving them more likely to focus on what they can’t control. On the other hand, if you are informed and internally calm, sharing bits of information about what we can control, you can dial down your child’s anxiety. Try saying something like, “It’s great news that the doctors know how this virus gets spread. That means we know some things we can do to be healthy. What do you think we need to do to be healthy?” This can also lead to a great conversation about food, sleep, hygiene, etc. And, if your own anxiety is feeling more chaotic and dialed up than you would like, and you’re having a hard time regulating it, you aren’t alone. Allostatic load was first introduced and defined by McEwen and Stellar (McEwen 2001) and is the chronic, cumulative effect of high-stress situations in daily life that are experienced as taxing or exceeding our coping skills. Further, stress responses that are too frequent, too quick (daily challenges and transitions), too intense, and too long (more than 10-20 min) can all contribute to allostatic overload. (Can we say hello, 2020?) To help, try walking in nature (No earbuds! Just listen to the world and get a break from stimulation!). Remember to exercise, try mindfulness meditations (or apps like Headspace and Calm), or seek out support. We all need someone who shows up for us. And, if needed, seek out a mental health professional who can help you with your own emotional waves. Take care during this challenging time. Together, we can move through it. |
Other Resources |
Parenting Under Stress: Click below to listen to a podcast I recorded with Dr. Dan Siegel and Sue Marriott LCSW, CGP, of Therapist Uncensored. Together, we unpack the ideas from our book, THE POWER OF SHOWING UP, and apply to this moment in time. |
