Working, Schooling at Home Creates New Family Dynamics
TTUHSC Expert: Parents Can Help Their Children by First Helping Themselves
The spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus that has spawned a global pandemic, also has transformed the dynamics in many households. Children, used to the more structured life of school, may be experiencing fear, anxiety and boredom. Parents, accustomed to dealing with work-related tasks from office buildings, warehouses, trucks or other job settings now must meet job responsibilities with homebound children in the adjoining room.
Without proper strategies for dealing with such a sudden shift in daily routines, the situation can become a source of stress and anxiety for everyone. To better navigate the unfamiliar waters, Patti Patterson, M.D., MPH, a pediatrician at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, said parents can more effectively help children manage the conditions by productively addressing their own mental well being.