Safe, in the Time of COVID-19

Three snap-thoughts on the word "safe" - and a nice resource link.

One: When one's senses are continuously dialed to eleven (auditory and skin sensations in particular for James), it can feel like constant bombardment. Throw in losing a family, home, school/community, and trust in people you are attached to staying with you, and things become treacherous. Oh, and rather suddenly, you're a teen and shot up 6" or more in less than a year? To misquote Douglas Adams: Doubly so to all of the above. Safe becomes haven, sanctuary, release.

Two: Things that make James feel safe now? Not being in the apartments. His current school, Anova. His own room with his own bed. Being surrounded by really tall trees.

I asked him about this recently. This has been his incentive for keeping on-task and completing assignments: going out for a drive at the end of the day. He keeps asking to go to the redwoods. I asked if it was because they were so tall and calm and he said "Yes".

I agree. Being surrounded by tall trees in nature for a visit is very relaxing. The air is stiller. Sound even gets muffled.

Three: James has definitely noticed COVID-19 and the crazy fails going on in our government at the top levels right now. He's home. School is on a laptop. No more respite or ABA visits. Most of us wear masks now outside. He watched YouTube videos. School is helping make James feel safer, as is being in his own home. He asks me questions, several of which come out of his watching videos online.

Resources: It's tough figuring out the best (i.e., reassuring yet accurate) responses. Here is one of the better online articles I have found for helping form a response and support: Mayo Clinic's: How To Talk to Your Kids About COVID-19.

Here are two more: The Verge's: How to Talk with Kids about Screentime and COVID-19 and The Clay Center's: 7 Ways to Support Kids and Teens Through the Coronavirus Pandemic.

If you can, take a nature break, even if you have to stay in a car. Park and roll down the windows. Close your eyes. And breathe. We are lucky that we now can do this in our back yard. Sometimes, even looking at a photo from one of our outings helps: