Educational psychologist discusses the juggling act of parenting during Covid-19
LONEHILL – Dr Cheryl Wright discusses how to nurture parental well-being during these uncertain times.
Educational psychologist and longstanding member of the Lonehill community Dr Cheryl Wright addressed parents at Crawford Pre-Primary Lonehill through a webinar.
Dr Wright discussed how parents can nurture their well-being in the uncertain times associated with lockdown.
She used the metaphor of a juggling act, where parents are expected to juggle a number of balls which represent their responsibilities at the present moment.
Dr Wright asked, “How do you centre yourself at this time? How can you orient yourself in this space?”
She encouraged parents to not compare themselves with others. “We are not all in the same boat,” she said.
“We can’t control Covid-19 or the government rulings, but we can learn to juggle better, put down some balls and we can ask for help.”
Dr Wright encouraged parents to put on their own oxygen masks first, before assisting others.
She unpacked four crucial points for nurturing well-being.
The first, and most important ball, according to Dr Wright, is the glass ball of self-care. “We cannot drop the ball on self-care,” she said.
Secondly, she encouraged parents to self-regulate. This means assessing your rhythms and seeing how many balls you can hold on any one day. It also requires parents to tune into their feelings and become aware of what they can handle.
Thirdly, parents are encouraged to exercise social engagement and share their balls with others with discernment.
“We are wired to connect with others. If we don’t, we will not be regulated. Social engagement helps us to juggle better by feeling connected,” said Dr Wright.
The fourth and final point is that of serenity – accepting what you can and cannot change.
Academic head of operations at the school Jacqui Smallbone said, “It really helped those working parents who are struggling with being back at work and juggling online school and home life. Dr Wright shared that it is okay to have glass balls and rubber balls and that it is okay to let those rubber balls drop and that we should not feel guilty about letting those balls drop.”
Smallbone said that the school works very closely with Dr Wright and refers children to her for full educational assessments. Dr Wright reached out to the community to see how she can support parents and teachers during these difficult times.
Related articles:
Local paediatrician discusses Covid-19 with Crawford Lonehill parents
