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Give your Kids The'summer Slowdown They Need We shouldn't get caught up in the conversation about summer camps or sports, vacations, or making plans for all the many, many things we've been unable to do. Even the most fortunate children have had to endure a mass death event like this. Many adults have been unable to help them. They are more aware than they will reveal to you (or be able to). Do not try to return to the life you had before. While we're only beginning to gather data on the psychological effects of the pandemic on children, the main indicators are alarming. According to the Children's Hospital Association, mental health emergencies for children aged 5-11 increased by 24% in the period between April and October of last year. Even in areas with ample resources even for children who aren't directly affected by the disease school closings can disrupt routines and decrease access to food. This can lead to an increase in stress and anxiety among children. Research has shown that childhood trauma, especially when it's not addressed in the long run, can cause health problems. Even if a child doesn't meet the criteria for trauma, most children have experienced traumatic experiences. Since the beginning of the pandemic, experts have been planning for the impact of trauma on children. As parents, how are we going to do? What do we plan to do over the next week? What can we do during the summer heat? Since I am awed by the urge that we'll try to fix something that cannot be fixed by planning, scheduling, and filling our days with the same activities we eschewed last year. Let your kids be children this summer. Let them breathe and find their own way, before you try to fill in the gaps. JUST WATCHED YouTube A psychologist sings to help children cope with stress Replay More Videos MUST WATCH Psychologist sings on YouTube to help children cope with stress at 02:07 Here's the reason I'm following my own suggestions. In December my family was at the lowest point, I began referring to children older than this year's "Gen C." While I hope it doesn't stick I'm noticing signs that my middle schoolers are experiencing burnout everywhere I go. They're more observant with their parents, less likely to listen (my daughter is hyper-verbal while my son is not verbal) and they are more open to new ideas. 16 months of constant focus on our family in our homes, amidst the world's turmoil and turmoil, will have a positive impact. We must be deliberate about the transition of our children from Gen-C to the wild world of "zoomers" If we wish to do so. There was a lot written about work culture and burnout in the past month. Charlie Warzel, co-author of a book on remote work and remote work, wrote an important essay in which he urged employers to offer employees the opportunity to take a "summer slowdown." As parents, we have to give our kids an opportunity to slow down. Don't overburden your children with more programming, extra schooling or other activities that at once give them everything you desire for this year . Instead, let them restore everything lost during the pandemic. Let them breathe and, if they have to, grieve. To be angry or uncertain. Try to create the space to ease the pressures of this year and let trauma-related worries go, to watch for trouble spots where we might require more direct support. I'm 12 years old and here's the reason why I received the Covid vaccination I've had to accept that the time is in fact lost. It's incredibly hard to process that. Minecraft Therefore, I'd like to let my children experience it slow. My daughter is keen to learn how to use an axe and learn to fence. My son would like to learn how to swim. She would like to play with Minecraft and they both want to do this with YouTube. The year that was last was not all bad for our family. Even as we struggled with fears and restrictions (and eventually, my wife and son did get Covid-19) we bonded as a family. We went on more walks. We played more games. I bought a 12-foot aluminum vessel and a battered Montgomery Ward "Sea King" boat in 1985 and took my kids fishing on the many lakes that surround the Twin Cities' metro. I taught my daughter to cook pasta from scratch. My wife and I tried to keep the kids safe from anxiety by teaching them what they needed to be aware of at an age-appropriate level. But kids can pick up on things and even in the most perfect of times, last year was no vacation. The school year began and it continued to grow, as did the winter surge in infections. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter Sign up for CNN Opinion's latest newsletter. Join us on Twitter and Facebook The summer will come to an come to an end and we'll be able to get back to work. I remain as determined to fight for a fair education as I ever have been. My son is heading to high school and my daughter will hopefully get her first year of "normal" middle school, however that may be. I'm particularly prepared to take on new battles regarding accessibility and distance education. Perhaps if I could allow my children be themselves I might be capable of doing so, as they aren’t the only ones to have suffered the trauma of the last year and one quarter. We all have plenty of healing to do, should we find the time.
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