Ep. 152: Putting on Your COVID Mask First

In this episode, I'm chatting with my friend and camp professional colleague, Sara Kuljis. Sara has been a regular guest on the podcast (links to our other episodes below).

This is the first of a two-part series to help parents prepare for the fall now that we know that our life - and our kids' lives - will not be returning to "normal" any time soon.  This week, we're talking about strategies for taking care of ourselves so that we can be present and positive (as much as possible!) for our kids and families transitioning into fall with more quarantining and online school.

Next week, we'll talk about some different ideas for approaching our kids' education this year.

Sara Kuljis' focus as a camp owner and director has been on youth and staff development. Sara has served on the board of the American Camp Association, and is a frequent speaker and trainer for the Association. She is a certified Gallup Strengths Coach who conducts workshops to help individuals recognize, understand, and utilize strengths at work and at home.

Questions

What am I going to need to be the kind of parent, spouse, leader, friend I really want to be?

What support/help do I need? Ask for help!

What's on your responsibility/burden "plate"?

What are groups/communities I need to stay involved with for my well-being?

How does stress show up for you? Your partner? Your kids?

Big Ideas

• Have a "Co-Counselor Pow Wow" with your parenting partner.

• Create a personal time schedule delineating who will be in charge of the kids at which times of day and when you each will have time for work, personal time, etc.

Listen to Audrey & Sara's Other Episodes

Ep. 85: Grit is Grown Outside the Comfort Zone (PEGtalk)

Ep.115: Giving Kids Meaningful Compliments

Ep. 63: Growing Gratitude with Sara Kuljis

Ep. 57: The Importance of Adult Friendships with Sara Kuljis

Ep. 28: Focusing on Our Kids’ Strengths with Audrey and Sara

Ep. 23: Peaceful Mornings with Sara Kuljis

Ep. 7: Family Pace and Space with Sara Kuljis

Ep. 3: Raising Resilient, Independent Kids with Sara Kuljis

Ep. 133: What's Working (and What's Not!) During COVID-19

Resources/Related

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/1604951837867/telecommuting-moms-bear-more-household-burden-key-insight-to-help-shift-the-dynamic-and-share-the-load

https://www.pri.org/stories/2020-08-06/covid-19-s-cost-working-mothers

https://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/511201-in-the-covid-19-economy-we-are-running-out-of-time-to-prioritize-child

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/when-kids-call-the-shots/201807/where-do-you-store-stress-in-your-body-top-10-secret-areas

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/06/well/mind/five-minute-coronavirus-stress-resets.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/16/how-to-cope-with-coronavirus-related-financial-stress-and-anxiety.html

One Simple Thing

Go outside!

https://sunshine-parenting.com/7-reasons-to-optoutside/

My Favorite

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDmN5dkHkQt/