It’s not easy being a parent, especially in today’s world. It seems as if there is one tragedy after another. Each day is filled with worries that parents of the previous generation didn’t have to bother themselves with. One of the biggest issues parents have to worry about today is their children’s safety at school. Unfortunately, every parent’s worst nightmare once again came to light by the horrific events that recently took place at Apalachee High School in Georgia.
When a crisis like this occurs, most parents immediately focus on their family and their children’s needs. And while this is exactly what you should do as a parent, it’s very important to remember that you can be most helpful when you take care of yourself. As parents, it’s easy to get so wrapped up in your child and their feelings that you forget to deal with your own mental health.
Rice Psychology Group understands that taking care of your family is your priority and that it can be extremely overwhelming knowing just how to parent your child when something awful happens. Luckily, there seem to be many resources out there offering tips on how to talk and interact with your child when a tragedy hits. (You can view one of our previous blogs here for some helpful tips on that topic.) However, there seems to be very little provided after a crisis for parents and how to practice some self-care and keep their own mental health in check. Doing this will not only help you cope better but also better support your child.
Tips to Remember
- Try to remain calm. During emergencies it’s important to remember that as the adult, children are looking at you for guidance on what to do and how to react. If you remain calm, there’s a great chance your child will too. Now we understand that staying calm might be easier said than done, so one thing you can do that may help is to focus on your breathing. This can help reduce your stress and anxiety and stay in control of your emotions.
- Manage your feelings. It’s understandable to experience a range of emotions after a traumatic incident. Some of these feelings may include anger, sadness, fear, nervousness, and/or denial. And it’s important to understand that these feelings can happen right away, or several hours to a few days after an event. Please remember to be patient with yourself and that it’s OK to experience changes in your mood. Give yourself the space to express how you feel. Talk to friends, family, or even one of our licensed psychologists at Rice Psychology Group. While you may be able to manage this on your own, you certainly don’t have to.
- Take care of your physical health. Your body and your mind work together to make you, you. By helping one you help the other. Make sure to eat healthy, drink water, try to get a good night’s sleep, exercise, meditate and avoid using harmful substances like drugs or alcohol to help you deal with whatever emotions you may be experiencing.
- Avoid making rash decisions. Making an impulsive life decision after a traumatic event can be tempting, however it is best to try to avoid it during your time of stress. Try to give yourself and your family a little space after something has occurred and make an informed, rational decision based on your feelings once everything and everyone has gathered themselves.
If you or your family are having difficulty and find that you need to speak with someone, our team in Tampa, Florida is here for you.
Better Together
Rice Psychology Group would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to the faculty, staff, SROs, parents, law enforcement, and especially the students at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. While we don’t understand why this is something our children are still having to endure, we do know that our licensed psychologists may be able to help provide some comfort in the aftermath. We offer a safe, judgment-free space for adults, kids, and families to discuss their emotions and cope with how they’re feeling. If you would like to reach out and speak with our team in Tampa, please feel free to contact us here.
