Transitioning quickly to an unexpected, and brand new routine has been a struggle for parents everywhere during the COVID-19 crisis. Schools have shut down. Social engagements have been canceled. Our children have transitioned to a new and uncharted territory: distance learning. For weeks now, you’ve been perfecting your new world order, but this won’t last forever. Eventually, you’ll need to transition back to the old normal – but even then it might not be exactly as it was before.
When that happens, you will thank yourself if you’re prepared for transitioning your kids and the adults in your home. Having a few tools in your toolbox for this transition will make things go more smoothly. No one knows how this transition will happen exactly, and it will be different for every family. Having a basic plan for how you’ll lead your family through a big transition – yet again – will set everyone up for success.
Preparing Your Family For a Big Transition
As you think ahead to the transition back to normal life post-coronavirus, prepare yourself that it’s going to be another new process to figure out. Learning new things can be tiring, so make sure you build in some time to breathe and take care of yourself.
As we get closer to that time, consider these strategies for preparing the family for the big transition:
Create a transition plan. Spend some of this stay-at-home time putting together a transition plan for the big return to your former routine. It may be wise to consider creating contingency plans for the various ways the quarantine could be lifted in your area, too. Things may lift incrementally and not suddenly. This is a good thing since it’ll help you adapt to the transition that is happening.
Create a plan for how to return to social events: Will you host an event? What types of social gatherings will be a priority for your family? Make a plan for how your professional life will look once things get back to normal: Will you need to find a way to make up for wages lost? Will you need to find a new position? What kind of position might that be? Don’t be afraid to make multiple plans for the various scenarios under which this big transition affects your family.
Hold onto some of the new things you love to do. Many families have found some things during this shelter-in-place order that they’ve enjoyed. If your family has enjoyed dinner at the table together, basketball in the driveway, or movie nights, find a way to implement this into your regular routine once you’re not stuck at home. Make it a mandatory staple for your family and hold onto the routine. Talk to your family members about what they’ve enjoyed doing together or what they’ve enjoyed about this time at home and come to a consensus about what activities should still be part of the family routine after the big transition out of quarantine.
Ease back into activities. Don’t overdo it. Even if restrictions are lifted somewhat suddenly, it’d be a good idea to ease back into activities slowly. As you can probably attest to, a sudden and unexpected transition can wreak havoc on moods, energy levels, sleep patterns, and stress levels. Make expectations of your family reasonable; don’t expect your children to jump right back into their old life in a snap. Start out slow, adding in a social event or two each week and see how everyone handles it. Do something everyone enjoys as a family that is outside the home – maybe take in a movie or visit the pool. No doubt, everyone will be excited to do things they weren’t able to do for so long so take it easy and prioritize what you’ll do together first.
Intentionally practice open communication. Talk with the whole family about what’s working, not working, or stressful. As you ease back into the world again, be sure to maintain open communication with everyone in the family about how they’re feeling, if they’re stressed, and how overwhelmed they feel. It can be easy for kids and adults to be so excited about the freedoms returning in life that they become overwhelmed and have emotions they don’t expect to have to manage. Work through these with them; If you need help, check out this resource for managing difficult conversations.
Big transitions for families aren’t reserved for world-wide pandemics. They happen all the time. Take some time to plan and be intentional about how you and your family handles these transitions and you’ll be better prepared for future transitions. This skill can also be incredibly valuable in the workplace!
If you’re finding yourself needing some help with these big transitions, feel free to reach out to Parents Pivot. We’ll be glad to help you with a coaching call.
