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Parents and carers of children and young people

There is no denying that being a parent or carer at the moment may be quite tough. 

You may be trying to manage many practical tasks at this time, as well as the different emotions and feelings your children are experiencing - not forgetting your own feelings, too. 

Using CALM may help you to take care of your feelings, your body, your thoughts and what you are doing each day. It’s really important to care for yourself, so that you can care for your children.

  • Calming activities - to help you feel better
  • Attending to basic needs - to help your body  
  • Learning to re-think - to help your thoughts  
  • Making yourself feel good - to help what you are doing day to day  

Take a look at our ‘How to look after your wellbeing’ page for ideas on how to use CALM.

  • When you feel calm, it will help your children feel calm. Think about who makes you feel better and make a point of getting in touch with them or watch this video from the Anna Freud Centre.
  • Planning your day is important for you and your children. Many of us feel better with a routine, there are templates online, here is one idea.
  • Exercising each day is good for our body and our mind. Why not exercise together as a family - try Joe Wickes’ daily PE sessions.        
  • Keeping an eye on what you and your children are eating can help you feel better. If your children usually receive free school meals, you may still be able to by contacting your local education authority. Read advice on eating well at home.  
  • Saving time spent preparing meals can free up time for other activities to help you stay happy and healthy at home. Take some inspiration from these meal plans, shopping lists, food swap ideas and #familyfood recipes.
  • Thinking about how much you talk about your worries in front of your children and how it effects them is important. Read advice on talking to children about coronavirus. 
  • Challenging yourself or finding something that absorbs you. This may be trying out a new hobby with your children - you could try mindfulness colouring sheets on the Children in Need website.
  • Trying to practice positive thinking. Each day try to notice three things that have gone ok, big or small. You can do this as a family and keep a journal, have a look here for ideas. 

We also have a children and young people’s page with tips and advice that you could look at with your children.

Public Health Wales is offering all parents, parents-to-be, grandparents and care-givers free access to a series of online courses designed to help them understand the development and emotional milestones of their children, covering everything from pre-birth to late teens. 

The four evidence-based courses have been designed by NHS and other experts to provide extra support to all, alongside more traditional help from family, friends and professionals.

The courses explore topics including play, styles of parenting, sleep, temper tantrums, communications and more, and are all available online from now until May 2021.

To get access users just need to visit www.inourplace.co.uk and use the code ‘NWSOL’ if you live in North Wales, and ‘SWSOL’ if you live in Mid, West or South Wales. Then simply choose the courses that are most relevant to your child or children, split into four easy to use sections covering:

  • Understanding pregnancy, labour birth and your baby
  • Understanding you baby
  • Understanding your child
  • Understanding your teenager’s brain