| Today is a day for the woods. That was my immediate thought when I dropped one kid off at school, and the other ran out to get the bus. I would love to grab my guys and head for the muddy path, particularly after an unsettled morning where no one could find anything, where the school pants were in the dryer but still damp. When the high schooler struggled with the idea of sitting at a desk all day, and the middle schooler mentioned a math assignment he's dreading. Even though the boys balk when I beg them to go for a hike nearby, I notice that they settle into nature, end up playing some sort of throw-the-rock-to-hit-that-other-rock game, and come out of the woods lighter and happier. Their brains relax. Mine, too. Just like this piece today, I sometimes prescribe nature for my kids, knowing that being outside helps all of us. Particularly on the days when everything feels wound tight, when anxiety levels are higher and moods are lower. I realize on this busy Tuesday after a long weekend, I won't get the boys into the woods. But I also can make a mental appointment for a time we can. It's important therapy. |
Parenting in a Pandemic These are challenging times for any parent to navigate. Let On Parenting help. Below you'll find a selection of expert advice and personal stories for all types of parents. To keep up with The Post's best advice for living through a lockdown, including recipes to make, shows to watch, the best socializing apps, resources for parents, guidance for managing anxiety and tips for canceled trips, bookmark Your Life at Home. And the latest on school reopenings can be found on The Post's Education page. For vaccinated parents with unvaccinated kids | Vaccinated adults may have more freedom. But for kids, 'the rules haven't changed.' For parents dealing with virtual school | Strategies to improve distance learning | Tips for creating a good learning environment at home | How parents can avoid anxiety around distance learning For parents dealing with in-person school | How to help children adjust to masks, according to experts and parents | As kids move from quarantine to school, separation anxiety may follow. Here's how to help. For parents working from home | 6 strategies for parents struggling with work-from-home interruptions For parents looking ahead to post-pandemic life | The pandemic changed everything about family
life. These are the parts parents want to keep. |
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