COVID-19 resources for military families

MilitaryOneSource offers info, counseling, and more! See:

• • Military OneSource Coronavirus Updates for the Military Community
  • Non-Medical Counseling for Youth by Video
  • Military Meditation Coach Podcast [NEW!] (Guided meditation exercises, produced by the Defense Health Agency)

==> For additional military & veterans resources related to COVID-19, see

• Tricare COVID Guidance
• VA Coronavirus Interactive Chatbot & FAQ
• NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs COVID-19 Information For Veterans
• COVID-19 Information Affecting Education Benefits: NOTE: Special COVID-19 rules expired on June 1, 2022.

==> All our COVID-19 resources: http://www.southplainfield.lib.nj.us/covid.htm

Links updated July 2022

Coronavirus Tips & Resources for Parents, Children, Educators & Others

Prevent Child Abuse America offers a collection of resources to help you deal cope with the pandemic, including Tips for Staying Connected, Tips for Staying Active & Engaged as a Family, Tips to Manage Stress & Anxiety, and more: https://preventchildabuse.org/resources/coronavirus-tips-resources-for-parents-children-educators-others/
==> Additional parenting resources: http://www.southplainfield.lib.nj.us/useful/parent.htm

Train Your Brain to Be Kinder

A short meditation to boost your kindness: Send kind thoughts to someone you love — and to someone you don’t get along with — with a little guidance from these students.
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/video/item/train_your_brain_to_be_kinder

5 ways to reduce COVID holiday disappointment for kids

“The holidays will be different for many kids this year. They may have to miss out on favorite activities or celebrate without friends and relatives. They might get fewer gifts than usual or have a different type of holiday meal… These five ideas can reduce disappointment and show your child that there are different ways of celebrating.”
https://www.understood.org/en/family/events-outings/holidays-celebrations/reduce-covid-holiday-disappointment-for-kids

School Stress: 8 Ways to Deal

Between the back-to-back Zoom classes, online assignments, and your little sister or brother bugging you all day – you’re probably pretty stressed. See these eight ways you can get rid of stress without turning to drugs:
https://www.justthinktwice.gov/article/school-stress-8-ways-deal
==> More mental health resources: http://www.southplainfield.lib.nj.us/useful/health.htm

For older people stuck at home, 7 ways to stay connected

“If you’re waiting out the coronavirus at home and beginning to lose your mind, now might be the perfect time to explore new ways to get the meaningful connection you crave. Here are seven ways you can foster connectivity and feel a daily sense of purpose over the next few months. The bonus? Most are intergenerational, and tap your experience and wisdom to help young people thrive.”
https://generationtogeneration.org/for-older-people-stuck-at-home-7-ways-to-stay-connected/

On Thanksgiving: The power of gratitude

“There is a substantial amount of research that outlines the benefits of incorporating a gratitude practice into your child’s life, as well as your own. Science shows that people who make noticing, feeling and showing gratitude a part of their daily routine experience a host of positive effects…”
https://tinkergarten.com/blog/the-surprising-benefits-children-gain-from-giving-thanks

Books to Help Kids Cultivate Calm Within

“Between the ongoing pandemic and the daily stress surrounding the upcoming election, finding peace and wellness could not be more important now. So, if you’re looking for family-friendly strategies to stay calm and grounded in mind, body and heart, reading is a great way to start…”
https://tinkergarten.com/blog/15-uplifting-books-to-help-kids-cultivate-calm-within
PLEASE NOTE: Most of these titles are available through the library – click here to check our catalog.https://lmac.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/southplainfield/

Self-Care in the Digital Age

Free webinar 9/22: The Sanctuary of Self-Care in the Digital Age, designed for parents, educators, and anyone who has shouldered the stress of supporting children during the pandemic. (Presented by Children’s Screen Time Action Network / Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood.)
https://screentimenetwork.org/upcoming-events
Past webinars are posted at: https://screentimenetwork.org/action-network-live-recording-archive

Good News Network

Stressed out by the seemingly endless stream of bad news these days? Why not take a look at some good news from the Good News Network — like this awesome story about an all-girl high school robotics team that created a mobile ventilator to help Afghanistan’s COVID-19 Efforts!
You can even sign up for a daily email of Good News!