Page 15 - AreaNewsletters "Oct 2020" issue
P. 15

HEALTH • WELLNESS • LIFESTYLE
Working Through Back-To-School Challenges
W
No matter how old your kids are they need intentional time. This sounds strange since you’ve been cooped up with them for half a year now and are around each other constantly, this is not the same as intentional time. They need to know that you can still enjoy each other’s company as a family. They need to feel that they are not just an irritation or inconvenience at this point.
Here are 3 ideas to spend time as a family:
- Nighttime Popcorn Drive:
Make a couple bags of popcorn and load up in the car once the sun goes down. Drive around looking at street lights, get further from town and do some star gazing. You can even pull over throw a blanket out and lay down together to look at the stars.
While the weather is still nice throw some sleeping bags outside on the deck or in the yard, bring some pillows, blankets and set up a comfy sitting area. Bring dinner or snacks outside and as the sun is going down start a movie on your laptop.
Set aside a night each week to have one on one time with one of your children, change it up so they all get a turn. ASK THEM what they’d like to do, give them options so they feel they are contributing. Keep it light! You don’t want this to be a chore, just go have fun and ask lighter questions.
The most important thing is our kids need to see the “e ort” we are putting into them outside of the normal day to day. These ideas can be super easy to throw together. Their investment in planning it with you will make them feel connected, responsible, and in control.
Authentic Connections Counseling Center
ith kids being back in school, a new set of challenges have unfolded. After many months of lack of structure and nor- malcy, starting back to school may be more challenging than kids would like to admit. It’s hard to turn on that full attention span,  nd the motivation, or engage socially. They are out of practice. Since most kids won’t ask for help for these things, they may instead show it in their behavior or emotional outbursts.
- Outdoor Movie Night:
- One on One “Dates”:
By Jillian Jackson, MA Therapist at Authentic Connections Counseling Center
15 Castle Rock “AreaNewsletters • October 2020


































































































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