Dr Lyn O'Grady in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Local service

Dr Lyn O'Grady

Locality: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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25.01.2022 Play is critical for children’s development and mental health - all the time but especially during lock down. https://theconversation-com.cdn.ampproject.org//are-the-ki

22.01.2022 I’ve just tracked down a copy of Julia Baird’s latest book, Phosphorescence. Not only does it have a beautiful cover but it seems to be written for our current times. Take a look at the pics below. If you read the third one you’ll read about the idea that when we find ourselves struggling, like depths of despair struggling, it’s the time to tap into all of our knowledge, skills and wisdom. It’s the time to go back to all the advice we’ve received and start to use it. This has... really resonated with me over the few hours since I read it and I thought about the conversations I have with clients (and myself) - we often know what we need to do or try out or what might help but things always seem to get in the way - old habits, lack of time, patterns of behaviour in our relationships, work, chores ... so I’m thinking that absolutely all of that is up for grabs now. The way we spend our time is changing, our priorities are shifting regularly and uncertainty means that our behaviour will change. While this is stressful it’s also an opportunity to reflect and through necessity or desire do things differently. We do have some choices here, even if it feels like our life is becoming restricted in ways unimaginable even a week ago. Let’s cut to the chase then - what have we known is important in parenting but haven’t always been able to do easily - here’s my top five: 1. Routine - as a family decide on the priorities and create a routine, perhaps day by day, to achieve what we need to. Routine is critical for humans when life is uncertain. 2. Cut each other some slack - being together at home more can lead to stress and conflict but it doesn’t have to - this is a time for picking our battles, giving each other space and being ready to talk and listen. 3. Review and set realistic expectations - what really matters right now? What’s realistic? What will matter in 5 years time? 1 years time? Even in a week? This is an unprecedented time of challenge for our lifetimes, so let’s recognise it and go with it. 4. Eat family meals together - this is really protective for families for mental health and now is the time that all our usual excuses are gone - or going rapidly. 5. Be present and listen - accept that we don’t have answers and can’t know everything at the moment. Kids overwhelmingly tell me in my work that they want adults to be there and listen - particularly when times are tough. If not now, when will we be able to do this? You don’t have to do this all today - but today could be the start of making some of the changes that are important to you and your family. Pick out what’s most important right now (and achievable) and start there.

21.01.2022 https://www.nationalgeographic.com//kids-want-to-be-socia/

20.01.2022 Even preschool children can be impacted by Covid. https://www.abc.net.au//coronavirus-children-ment/12702726

20.01.2022 Staying home can be stressful for families. Here’s some tips from the Red Cross based on psychological preparedness ideas that can help us understand how we might be feeling and to be ready by knowing what to do before things escalate. https://www.redcross.org.au///covid-19-and-family-conflict

17.01.2022 Ever wondered why we keep getting into power struggles with our kids? This article might help. https://thechildtherapylist.com/avoiding-power-struggles-w/

16.01.2022 Wondering how to protect your teenager’s mental wellbeing during these challenging and unsettling times? ‘Partners in Parenting’ is a free, online program that ...gives parents personalised and practical strategies. Sign up at partnersinparenting.com.au Or share this post with a parent who might need it at the moment. Partners in Parenting is brought to you by Prevention United and Monash University thanks to funding provided by the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust. https://partnersinparenting.com.au

16.01.2022 https://www.abc.net.au//coronavirus-children-men/12702726

16.01.2022 Rituals are important for families - often the small things are what kids remember. https://childhood101.com/tiny-moments-10-everyday-rituals-/

16.01.2022 A reminder that young children notice everything!

15.01.2022 Play is important for children at all times - and especially so in the pandemic. http://ipaworld.org//IPA-Play-in-Crisis-Booklet-for-parent

15.01.2022 https://thenewdaily.com.au//coronavirus-relief-meditate-h/

14.01.2022 Looking forward to facilitating this series of webinars.

14.01.2022 Listen to kids. https://www.ccyp.wa.gov.au/info-for-children-and-young-p//

13.01.2022 This app is worth a look - I’ll check it out in the next few days. Time to get creative in how we look after our mental health.

12.01.2022 https://www.abc.net.au//how-to-find-the-right-chi/12685964

11.01.2022 https://www.psychologytoday.com//101-ways-cope-covid-19-st

11.01.2022 Useful article from UK about parenting teenagers during school closures. https://www.theguardian.com//family-isolation-guide-for-pa

10.01.2022 We’re moving rapidly into new territory now with schools looking like they’ll close this week. This is likely to cause stress for families and potentially lead to increased anxiety in children. We know that children benefit from the routine and structure that school provides when anxious. School is also a place where children ha e friends and gain of sense of belonging. Of course for some children school is anxiety-inducing and being home will be a relief. (Until the time c...omes to go back). Here’s a few tips to get us started when planning for school shut downs to reduce children’s anxiety: 1. Let children know that the new changes are a way for us all to keep each other as safe as possible. 2. Develop a daily routine. Plan this in advance and let children know about this. Let them help plan it so they feel some ownership over it. Routine helps children feel safe. Anxiety is reduced for us all when we know what is happening. 3. Reduce as far as possible contact with media reports about Corona. Keep up with essential news yourself through reliable sources. Only share what is necessary with children. 4. Consider how you will use technology during this time. We know it will be really valuable to fill in time and keep connected, but remember that all the previous risks are still there - and will increase over this time. When we move out of this period we will need to reinstate our old boundaries so start to plan with that in mind. 5. Look as positively as possible at this time - ensure that you are caring for yourself so that you can be positive with your children. Try to look for opportunities - more relaxed time at home doing fun things for example. Try to acknowledge the things we don’t know but also frame this as positively as possible. Children need to see adults who are dealing with the situation so they can feel less anxious.

09.01.2022 https://headtohealth.gov.au/covid-19-support

08.01.2022 https://www.acamh.org/topic/tourette-syndrome/

06.01.2022 A series of short scenarios for parents of young children. http://www.in-their-shoes.com.au/scenarios/scenario-one/

05.01.2022 Before the corona outbreak I was thinking about the need to promote the value of play in children’s lives. I’d noticed in my work how heavily reliant children have become on digital devices. This video from the UK captures many of my thoughts about play and explains differences between structured and free play and how to be prepared for children playing about the Corona virus (it’s normal and helpful). The experts say that play can help stressed children to relieve their stress - I would say that stressed parents could gain some relief as well. So let’s put the devices away for some solid blocks each day and play with kids. If not now, when? https://youtu.be/2FEja6w8cD4

05.01.2022 http://theconversation.com/how-to-stay-calm-and-manage-thos

03.01.2022 Bibliotherapy is an under-utilised tool to help us make sense of our lives. A new series from the State Library of Victoria encourages us to explore this by listening to the short podcasts they’ll be releasing each week. https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/bibliotherapy

02.01.2022 Useful article about parenting during a pandemic - look after yourself, connect with others virtually and importantly don’t judge yourself. https://www.psychologytoday.com//parenting-in-pandemic-sta

01.01.2022 https://youngminds.org.uk//how-to-make-a-worry-box-a-guid/