[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Header: Looking After Kids” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_image=”https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/WFH-kids.jpg” background_position=”top_center” collapsed=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Looking After Children and Yourself” subhead=”while working from home” text_orientation=”center” header_fullscreen=”on” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ title_line_height=”1.2em” subhead_font_size=”30px” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.29)” background_enable_image=”off” background_position=”top_center” z_index_tablet=”500″ button_one_text__hover_enabled=”on|desktop”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”content” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ custom_padding=”75px|0px|110px|0px|false|false” border_color_all=”rgba(255,186,96,0.6)” border_width_right=”8vw” border_color_right=”#5b8cb1″ collapsed=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”intro” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ collapsed=”on”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/GettyImages-1154944719-900×541-1.jpg” admin_label=”image: family” _builder_version=”4.4.2″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Intro” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ text_line_height=”1.9em” header_3_line_height=”1.4em”]<\/p>\n
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We asked Emily, a member of Mental Health UK’s Fundraising Team, the following basic questions:<\/p>\n
As someone who has experienced stress and minor bouts of depression in the past herself, Emily was worried about the exact same things at the outbreak of lockdown. Thankfully, she shared with a few tips that she’s picked up along the way…<\/p>\n
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Take each day and challenge at a time.<\/p>\n
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They may not be able to solve it all for you, but just listening to your issues and providing suggestions could take a load off<\/span>\u00a0your shoulders<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Find out w<\/span>hat are other working parents you know\u00a0<\/span>are doing.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Talk to\u00a0<\/span>your\u00a0<\/span>manager\u00a0<\/span>about your\u00a0<\/span>worries<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Of course<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0they\u2019ll be aware of the\u00a0<\/span>issues<\/span>\u00a0parents are facing and\u00a0<\/span>your\u00a0<\/span>organisation may well be looking at what can be put in place.\u00a0<\/span>But for the immediate future can you take a couple of days\u00a0<\/span>of annual\u00a0<\/span>leave to sort it\u00a0<\/span>out?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>And if you\u2019re worried about pay visit Mental Health and Money Advice<\/a> for tips.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ admin_label=”virtual playdates” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ collapsed=”on”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_text admin_label=”title: Virtual Playdates” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ header_2_line_height=”1.3em”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.2″]<\/p>\n As social distancing rules get more strict, playdates with friends and family aren\u2019t an option anymore. Could you arrange virtual playdates over FaceTime, Skype or Zoom? You can also arrange games with Grandparents virtually so that they get social interaction too.<\/p>\n If<\/span> you are at home with your child(ren) what are we going to DO with them all day?! As soon as school closures were announced I found my social media pages and email inbox inundated with homeschooling tips. This sent me into a panic that overnight I\u2019m expected to become a qualified teacher!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Luckily there\u2019s also been a lot of reassurance out there<\/span> that we\u2019re not expected to become teachers.<\/span><\/p>\n Stressed adults\u00a0can not\u00a0teach stressed children. It\u2019s a neuro-biological impossibility. Try focusing on\u00a0connections and feelings of safety.<\/em><\/p>\n I have also received\u00a0<\/span>reassurance <\/span>from the school. Many schools are providing home activity packs with weekly online links to\u00a0<\/span>optional\u00a0<\/span>learning activity suggestions \u2013 talk to your teachers about this, they\u2019re going to be wanting to support your child\u2019s learning<\/span>.<\/span> In the immediate future there\u2019s no rush, it can start as a bit of an extended Easter holiday while we all find our way around this.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ admin_label=”daily routine” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ collapsed=”on”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_text admin_label=”title: Daily Routine” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ header_2_line_height=”1.3em”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.2″]<\/p>\n They\u00a0<\/span>love<\/span>\u00a0a list and if they\u2019ve created\u00a0<\/span>it<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>they<\/span>\u2019re more likely to feel invested in it<\/span>\u00a0and stick to it more. Ask how their day at school goes<\/span>\u00a0as a starting point.\u00a0<\/span>But here\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>a<\/span>n <\/span>example<\/span>:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n C<\/span>reate time for fun activities and physical activities. Children\u00a0<\/span>learn<\/span>\u00a0so\u00a0<\/span>much just through play<\/span>\u00a0indoor and out<\/span>. There are some great ideas here.\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The Body Coach is <\/span>also\u00a0<\/span>be doing daily live PE at 9am from his YouTube channel<\/a> \u2013 I\u2019ll be there for sure!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Take a virtual trip to a museum!<\/a><\/span> \u00a0Why not check out our recent WFH post on exactly that to get some great ideas of museums you can ‘visit’ – click\u00a0HERE<\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n B<\/span>uild in time for treats<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0like screen<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>time.\u00a0<\/span>As m<\/span>uch<\/span>\u00a0as\u00a0<\/span>it<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s<\/span> not good for them to be glued to the screen all day (and let\u2019s face it<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>u<\/span>ncle<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>iP<\/span>ad<\/span> can be very useful if we\u2019re working on a deadline) it\u2019s important that they come to realise this isn\u2019t going to be an ongoing holiday<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0But if they know they\u2019ve got an hour\u2019s screen time to look forward to<\/span> then they may be more amenable <\/span>to <\/span>finishing<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>that maths challenge beforehand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ admin_label=”child’s health” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ collapsed=”on”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_text admin_label=”title: Child’s Health” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ header_2_line_height=”1.3em”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.2″]<\/p>\n With\u00a0<\/span>all<\/span> the above in place, you\u2019re on good solid ground.\u00a0<\/span>Coincidentally <\/span>my<\/span>\u00a0daughter\u2019s school<\/span>\u00a0just had\u00a0<\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>wellbeing week<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Every day\u00a0<\/span>she<\/span>\u00a0came back excited about a new activity she\u2019d learnt \u2013\u00a0<\/span>kids<\/span>\u00a0yoga (all the poses are cool animals!), giving each other a massage, sewing a hand puppet, mindful colouring in<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We have great resources from<\/span> the <\/span>young people\u2019s programme,<\/span>\u00a0Bloom<\/a><\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>on how to check in with our kids\u2019 mental health.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Understandably they\u2019re going to be anxious\u00a0<\/span>with all the change happening around\u00a0<\/span>them,\u00a0<\/span>and<\/span>\u00a0pick up on\u00a0<\/span>the current\u00a0<\/span>news. The best advice I\u2019ve seen on this is to<\/span>\u00a0acknowledge<\/span> what\u2019s happening<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>but to<\/span>\u00a0try to keep things\u00a0<\/span>as normal as possible<\/span>\u00a0and reassure that it will pass.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ admin_label=”looking after yourself” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ collapsed=”on”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_text admin_label=”title: Looking After Yourself ” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ header_2_line_height=”1.3em”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.2″]<\/p>\n With all of that, <\/span>it<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0very easy to put ourselves last.<\/span>\u00a0But your kids will pick up on your\u00a0<\/span>stress and anxiety so\u00a0<\/span>it<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>really important<\/span>\u00a0to look after yourself.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Take a look<\/span>\u00a0at the Stress Bucket<\/a>. It\u2019s a tool we use at Mental Health UK to help you understand the stressors which come into your life, and how you can release some of that stress.<\/span> At the moment i<\/span>t might seem like all the clouds are bursting at once and you have to deal with them all now, but actually now is the time to make time for the things you love<\/span>\u00a0and turn on your release\u00a0<\/span>\u2019<\/span>t<\/span>aps<\/span>\u2019.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>For me<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0that\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>normally\u00a0<\/span>yo<\/span>ga, swimming, cinema, theatre, going out for a meal, karaoke, pamper days with the girls.\u00a0<\/span>The plan now is to see how I can substitute any of those from\u00a0<\/span>home<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n M<\/span>y<\/span>\u00a0yoga teacher is going to stream her classes online \u2013 could you ask any of your\u00a0<\/span>gym\u00a0<\/span>class teachers to do the same? There are also lots of home workout options, and jogging or a brisk walk in the park is still open<\/span>. <\/span>I\u2019m\u00a0going to set up some sort of home cinema, get into inventive cooking recipes using tins from the\u00a0<\/span>store<\/span>cupboard<\/span>, make time for home pampering and Face<\/span>T<\/span>ime my friends and family. Karaoke can still be done that way!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For other wellbeing tips see Mental Health UK’s Live Your Best Working Life<\/a> library with tips and ideas.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>For parenting tips and advice, The Parent Practice Podcast<\/a> is great.<\/span><\/p>\n On a final note, its<\/span>\u00a0all too easy to revert to the bottle of wine (and a takeaway!) at times like this. Whilst that\u2019s a temporary\u00a0<\/span>fix, it\u2019s not going to be sustainable over 12 weeks or\u00a0<\/span>more. This would<\/span>\u00a0result in a decline in our mental and physical health.<\/span> Instead, create that party virtually by linking up with friends and loved ones online and over the phone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.6″ collapsed=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.0.6″][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ admin_label=”back button” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ collapsed=”on”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″][et_pb_button button_url=”\/workingfromhome\/” button_text=”back to Working From Home” button_alignment=”center” admin_label=”button: back to Working From Home” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#5b8cb1″ button_border_width=”0px” button_icon=”%%23%%” button_icon_color=”#ffffff” button_icon_placement=”left” background_layout=”dark” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” box_shadow_style=”preset3″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Footer” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ background_color=”#414042″ background_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” background_image=”https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Train-Doors-Open-Start-Your-Journey.jpg” parallax=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” z_index_tablet=”500″ global_module=”1383″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” admin_label=”Footer Row” module_id=”footer” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.0.6″ background_enable_image=”off” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”1800ms” z_index_tablet=”500″ make_fullwidth=”on”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″ background_color=”rgba(65,64,66,0.75)” custom_padding=”100px|10%|100px|10%” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title” _builder_version=”4.0.6″ header_2_font=”|||on|||||” z_index_tablet=”500″ locked=”off”]<\/p>\n START YOUR NEW\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nVirtual playdates are the way forward<\/h2>\n
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Think about a daily routine and get the children involved with creating the timetable<\/h2>\n
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<\/strong><\/li>\nWhat about your child’s health and wellbeing?<\/h2>\n
Looking after yourself<\/h2>\n
JOURNEY NOW …\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n