As schools in Scotland and Wales shut their doors amid the global coronavirus pandemic, parents in England are waiting for the news that their children will be sent home imminently until further notice.
Not only will it disrupt the economy, it'll have a huge impact on children and parents across the country.
Right now, it's difficult to know exactly what to do and advice will vary from household to household, but we spoke to psychologist and parenting expert Dr Rebecca Schrag Hershberg, author of The Tantrum Survival Guide, for her top tips.
Be honest and use simple language
It's easy to adopt the mindset of 'I don't want to scare my children by talking to them about this whole situation; I don't want to plant that seed', but it's important that we are the grown-ups and start the conversation with our kids. They pick up on everything – the change in energy, the whispering, using the terminology, and they will get a lot of misinformation, which will trigger their imaginations to run wild. We must clarify what's going on without bogging them down. So, be reassuring. use small sentences, simple words, and just talk to them. That is what will ensure they don't start panicking.
Establish structure
Many parents are sharing sample schedules online which is a really helpful resource. Putting in structures, routine, predictability – those are the things that help children feel safe and contained. For example, set specific lunch breaks, hours when you're going to read, or move your body, or study maths. Any kind of predictability you can put in place will help.
Utilise technology
If there's one thing our kids are going to be suffering from at the moment, it's boredom. Let them watch more TV than usual. Let them have some screen time. And don't forget to use the new wave of kids' apps to your advantage. There are things like virtual field trips and even virtual exercise for children, like yoga-based Cosmic Kids.
Get some fresh air
For both your children's sanity and your own. On your lunch break, head outside for a walk and stay six feet away from other people. In these unprecedented times, keeping active is vitally important.
Know that it won't be perfect
Yes, this situation is going to be very tough to juggle, particularly if you're working from home. No one will be able to manage this perfectly – and that's OK. Let's not beat ourselves up about it. As a parent, you need to make sure you're taking care of you. The number-one thing that will keep your children calm is if you yourself are calm. Try and be as aware of your own anxiety, mood and irritability as you can. Finding ways to manage your anxiety will benefit both you and your children. There's some great advice for taking care of your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic at mind.org.uk.
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