As an organization devoted to better mental health, Perry Wellness Center knows that a healthy mind and body begin at home. Many of our readers are parents dealing with school-age children who are unexpectedly at home during the COVID-19 outbreak. Parents are suddenly taking on new roles, such as teachers, while trying to work at home or cope with their own stress about the current health crisis.

As a support to all the multi-tasking parents out there, we’re offering this series of online resources to help moms and dads navigate the perils of parenting during this time of increased anxiety and disconnection:

Talk to Kids about Coronavirus, WikiHow.  This common-sense guide for parents offers specific communication tips in four keys areas: beginning the conversation, explaining the coronavirus, reassuring your child, keeping your child informed but calm.

Supporting Kids During the Coronavirus Crisis, Child Mind Institute. The article provides practical tips on helping children manage their stress during the coronavirus pandemic. It offers how-to info on subjects such as keeping daily routines in place, managing parental anxiety, and keeping things positive.

Caring for Children, Centers for Disease Control. The CDC’s COVID=19 series on Daily Life and Coping includes this article on parenting during the pandemic. In addition to advice on avoiding or managing the coronavirus in children, it provides guidance on topics such as monitoring stress in children and helping them stay socially connected during shelter-in-place restrictions.

Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting from COVID-19, the National Association of School Psychologists.  This professional organization covers such topics as offering age-appropriate explanations about the virus, providing reassurance to young children, and serving as a role model.

We hope that parents will find such resources helpful to them as we all deal with the challenge of staying mentally healthy right now.