Ask the Expert Series: Gentle and Positive Parenting During COVID-19! 👩🏻‍⚕️

Children are more resilient than we realise. Many of the children are able to manage it and do not worry much about it. But to be on the safe side: - Take note of the little to drastic changes - Find ways to communicate with him in ways where he would feel most comfortable (E.g. post-its, whiteboards) - Have movie/game nights where all can unwind - Have meals - Ensure that he has sufficient spaces to feel and talk about what he feels comfortable to - Ask him directly how he is feeling about the pandemic

Toddlers can have a lot of energy and need to expand it. They may be restless if they are not engaged enough in the day. However, screaming and poor sleep and screaming may indicate other issues and we should be mindful not to dismiss it.

Do invite their friends over for meals so that you know that they are in a safe environment while enjoying their time spent socially. Short game nights where they are allowed to invite their friends. Permitting your children to interact with their friends online may be useful to ensure that the children stay connected. They also can do little crafts or cards for their friends to give them once the restrictions lift.

For indoor activities, you can try doing some arts & crafts with your child.  Outdoor activities like taking walks by the park or beach is enjoyable for the whole family. Be a tourist in the city and find places that you have never been to before. More importantly, it is spending that quality time together with your children. They will enjoy it more than getting to do things alone. When doing such activities together, do set boundaries, like, no using of phones, etc.

Do: - consider child's developmental stage - understand reasons for child's behaviour, teach child how to express feelings/achieve goal in more appropriate manner - think about what boundaries or limits are non-negotiable, involves values that are important - communicate boundaries beforehand - be consistent when enforcing boundaries

Let us acknowledge things are different and we need to find ways around the situation. Being creative, find alternatives that continue to build areas of physical health, intellectual stimulation, creativity and social engagement.

Keeping ourselves mentally healthy by looking after our physical health, social health, intellectual health and creativity, especially during this pandemic.

As a new parent, it is understandable that you are more cautious. Ensure that you are comfortable with the idea and not be pressured either direction.COVID-19 is here to stay (for now at least), so we many need to learn to manage our fears and limitations so that life doesn't get held back because of covid! You can practice extra caution by getting your friends to do an ART test before visiting too!

Do: - consider child's developmental stage - understand reasons for child's behaviour, teach child how to express feelings/achieve goal in more appropriate manner - think about what boundaries or limits are non-negotiable, involves values that are important - communicate boundaries beforehand - be consistent when enforcing boundaries

Permissive parents tend to focus on appeasing the child and may have low expectations of the child. It is characterised by lack of discipline and guidance. Whereas boundaries and discipline are part of gentle and positive parenting. Gentle parenting is considered as authoritative parenting with age-appropriate expectations. Such parenting discipline with the aim of learning and growth.