Employee Well-Being: Resources for Families
Family Life
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that many employees have faced the challenge of balancing caregiving and homeschooling responsibilities while also working from home. Families have either been very close together or very far apart, sharing space or only accessible to one another using tech tools. This unique experience has impacted family life, family dynamics, relationships, practices, patterns and overall family well-being. We are all learning from this collective experience together and are committed to supporting employees during this difficult time.
Supporting Your Children
Be a mindful family. Find a way to help everyone take a moment to slow down, stay present and come together, like family yoga or a quiet walk in the woods. In fact, exposure to nature has been proven to be a key factor in maintaining good physical, social and mental health. The calming effects of the natural environment are particularly beneficial for easing stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression – benefits for the whole family!
The Child Mind Institute has an abundance of resources to help parents with topics such as remote learning, discipline, signs of depression, screen time, teaching social skills at home and so much more. They offer these top tips for supporting your kids during the pandemic:
- Stick to routines. Consistency and structure are calming during times of stress. As much as possible, kids should get up, eat and go to bed at their normal times.
- Make and post a schedule. Changing activities at set times each day lets kids know what’s coming. Work together as a family to set a realistic schedule, then print it out and go over it together each morning. Setting a timer can also be a helpful way to let kids know when activities are about to begin or end.
- Alternate work and play. Alternate chores or with fun activities and free time. Kids have a better attention span when work is divided into chunks geared to their age. And knowing they will soon be rewarded with something they enjoy helps them focus in the moment.
- Use positive attention! Attention is the best way to influence children’s behavior, and it helps to make that attention big, bold, specific and immediate.
- Validate feelings. Kids, especially teens, will be disappointed about losing important experiences like sports, proms, plays and graduations. Let them share their feelings. Listen without judgment, and resist the urge to reassure them that everything will be fine.
Activities for Children and Families
- Online activities and experiments for kids to support home learning.
- Colour and learn: Colouring pages that show what children can do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Hygiene for kids: A video shows your child how to stop the spread of germs when coughing or sneezing.
- Hand washing heroes: A video that shows children how they can become a hand washing hero.
- My Hero is You: A free children’s book created by a sub-group of the United Nations (UN) on COVID-19.
- Science Experiments for kids: a great way to keep children engaged and learning during quarantine.
- Take a field trip – online: Connect with locals online and learn about their culture with a private online. From cooking classes to yoga sessions, meet locals around the world.
- The Show Must Go On YouTube Channel: brings showtunes, backstage access and full performances from some of the best loved musicals in history!
Resources
- Looking for coaching and support? Child and Parenting Life Smart Coaching empowers you with the information and support you need to be the best parent you can be.
- Connect with other McMaster parents on Microsoft Teams. This parenting “team” brings together McMaster employees who wish to share common problems, concerns, ideas, funny stories and cute pics related to raising kids. Ask your questions and share your wisdom in a supportive environment. Email od@mcmaster.ca to be added to the group.
- Need practical advice or returning to work after a leave? New Parent Life Smart Coaching can help you make new parenting more rewarding.
- What to expect when you’re expecting…during a pandemic: Drs @ St. Mike’s Hospital in Toronto offer reliable info on #pregnancy #babies & #COVID19
- Learn about plants indigenous to Canada: The Healthy Workplace committee is offering a crossword puzzle for families to learn about plants indigenous to Canada.
- Stay hydrated as a family. Consider options to get extra water through the healthy foods you eat!
Upcoming Free Virtual Family Life Wellness Sessions for McMaster Faculty and Staff
Learn more and register for upcoming sessions
Communication in Family Life
Monday, June 22 | 11 a.m. – 12 noon
The challenges and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic can be overwhelming and can put a strain on family relationships. This session describes some fundamental aspects of communication that apply to interactions within families. Participants will review communication strategies and skills that allow for healthy and open dialogue to enhance the quality of their relationships during these challenging times.
Royal Botanical Gardens Fieldtrip: Healing Plants
Tuesday, June 23 | 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Join the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) on a digital fieldtrip as you discover how plants have been used in both traditional and western medicines and healing. Plants form the main ingredients of medicines in traditional healing and have been the source of inspiration for several major pharmaceutical drugs. We’ll explore how these plants are predominately used in traditional remedies, food, personal care and perfumery. We’ll also look at the impact on biodiversity and sustainability of these plants.
We’re all in this together! A Q&A Session with a Parenting Coach
Wednesday, June 24 | 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
From working with kids at home to challenges with homeschooling, this interactive Q&A session with Michael Larson (Parent Coach, Life Upgrade) will help parents understand how to best engage and support their children while also taking care of themselves. Michael’s session will focus on the most pressing questions submitted in advance, and will also answer participant questions during the session.
Live Q&A: Family Friendly Gardening Advice from RBG
Thursday, June 25 | 11 a.m. – 12 noon
Novice green thumbs, seasoned horticulturalists, and every ‘blade of grass’ in-between are invited to submit questions ahead of time and receive expert, family friendly, video-based gardening advice. Submit your questions in advance or bring some with you to ask an expert on all things that grow!
Learn more about these and other upcoming sessions and register on our HR Events page.
Need Help?
Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) – Homewood Health: If your stress is overwhelming, please reach out to your health care provider, or Homewood Health for support. Homewood Health continues to offer its telephonic counselling services. 1.800.663.1142
Contact:
Organizational Development, Human Resources Services
905-525-9140 ext. 24556
od@mcmaster.ca