The Kublor-Ross Grief Cycle includes five different stages:- DENIAL (this virus won’t affect us); ANGER (how dare it ruin our lives like this); SADNESS (I am really missing my friends); BARGAINING (if we accept three weeks isolation then it will be fine?), ACCEPTANCE (it’s happening).  Scott Berinato, who worked with Elisabeth Kublor-Ross when she developed this model, has added a sixth stage, MEANING, which we like because it builds optimism. What is the meaning in this experience? Perhaps it is the big wake up call we needed to realise how quickly the atmosphere improves when we reduce air traffic. Perhaps it is the realisation that relationships are so much more important than possessions and that it is possible to maintain those relationships despite social distancing.  Perhaps it is the opportunity we have to help our children develop those all important soft skills.  Finding our meaning and helping our children to find theirs will increase feelings of optimism and build our resilience.

It is helpful to understand that our children may well be spinning through the grief cycle and feeling all of these big emotions but they might not have the awareness or maturity to process them.  They need help from us in the form of an empathic, listening ear and reassurance.   See if you can work out where they are and talk to them about it.  Explain how in times of huge change and stress it takes time for us to adapt but we can help ourselves by talking about our experience, focusing on the things we can control, looking for the positives, keeping life in balance, establishing some form of structure to our days, exercising and sleeping well and if all else fails hang on to the certainty that this will pass and perhaps our new norm will be something to celebrate.

More resources are available on The Wellbeing Hub. 

To support your child through adolescence and help your family during this very challenging time, you may like to know that we are delivering monthly parenting webinars and resources.