Resilience is a word often discussed in Environmental Education circles these days. In ecologic terms, the key to resilience lies in the diversity factors present in any given ecosystem – for example, if one tree or plant species dies in a particular area, are there others that survive that can provide a food source for other critters within the food web.
In social terms, i.e., the social aspects of our environment as applied to sustainability, resilience also depends on diversity… not just diversity of culture, in our opinion, but those aspects of diversity that live within each and every family!
Families are rich in diversity! Every member of the family has unique, amazing talents to contribute to the family’s success and well-being.
Here are a few more tips from our family to yours about working and learning from home. As always, take what works for you and your family, and leave the rest. Be well, be safe!
Ande:
- You can do this! You can teach your kids. Parents on Earth have been working from home and teaching their kids far longer in history than not.
- Trust that you know your own kids, dare I say, better than any other teacher or afterschool coach. Use this to your advantage to gain confidence.
- All rules are out the window – you don’t HAVE to do anything a certain way. You know far more than you give yourself credit for, so teach what you love! Keep it simple, keep it fun!
Chris:
- Take the opportunity to do things differently. This is the perfect time to customize your working from home and learning from home to fit your family’s needs. No one has the time to be looking over your shoulder, so do things the way that works best for you and trust it really is the best.
- Remember that everyone in your family is under stress, for their own reasons, based upon their own personalities. Set aside time every day to just talk as a family. Encourage the sharing of true feelings and emotions. Provide safety, structure and support for the kids. Later, parents can speak privately with each other and provide strong mutual support.
- Try as much as possible to include each other in your work and learning. In tight quarters, it might seem counter-intuitive, but give a try including your kids in your work, and you in their play and learning. This will relieve some of the territorial and/or schedule “me vs. them” issues and will provide everyone in the family with a better idea of what everyone else is doing so you can better relate to each other and enjoy each other’s company that much more.
From Zoë and Zach:
Quaran—Teen
Teen advice on resilience and offering skills…from Zoë and Zach!
Hi there, fellow Quaran—teens! Ugh—we get that this time of catastrophic chaos and disconcerting news surrounding the COVID—19 pandemic is frightening our already overwhelmed adolescent minds, and who hasn’t turned on their phone to be met with a headline exemplifying the latest, cringe—worthy case that is just a bit too close to your area for comfort?! However, this also is a time to realize that your own personalities, skills, and inner strengths are more needed than ever! We, as teens, realized how we could cheer our family up with our own strengths, and you could do the same! Here are some key points that are our go-to teen traits!
- We bet you have absolutely nooo sarcasm, right? Our innate ability for ironic sarcasm actually can be a great gift when used in a light—hearted, positive way to think of clever jokes when appropriate!
- Look—we, as teens, love music, so craft the perfect Quaran—Teen playlist for the whole family to dance their angst out to during these rough times! Trust us, your parents will find great joy in this!
- Weird food is good—don’t we teens all love weird, creative food? This is a perfect time for your previously overlooked ability to make a diverse meal out of both fresh fridge foods and canned goods in your spare stash! Parents too tired and preoccupied to cook? Offer your skills to make the day full of flavor! Bonus: Collaborate with your sibs to make everyone feel like they had a part! Instant selfie—worthy elbow—bumps for all!
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