June 28th, 2020: Family and Post Covit-19

 How This Essential Industry Will Evolve Post-COVID-19 - Inman

A friend of mine was asking me about my thoughts about a topic concerning shapping family in the post-COVID-19 world. We have learned about many challenging aspects of family life and dynamic. Children could not come to see and care for elderly parents. Grandchildren were not able to see their grandparents. Family members could not gather together for any family celebration. Children went to school online. Parents worked from home and took care of their kids. Husband and wife have to be with each other more than what they used to. How are we going to prepare for the post-pandemic time? How is the family going to be shaped by what we learned and experienced?

A) Flexibility: There are many uncertainties we have to face as enter the post-pandemic time. I do not doubt that it will create stress in family life. We cannot be too rigid about any decision or choice about family life. Be flexible in terms of our expectations of how and when things should be.

B) Intentionality: Being intentional about decision making for the family is crucial because of the time issue. Travel is now a challenge. The children now have more access to online time, so time with parents has to take priority.

C) Growth in Relationships: Many couples now need debriefing after an intense period of being together in isolation. It will be helpful that they can process that meaningfully and safely. It is one of relational and personal growth if they can get help. We can say the same thing about the relationships between parents and children who were not able to be together. We are talking about emotional issues that came up during the time of separation as well. 

D) Engagement Between School and Family: There will be more interaction as the children might not be able to attend school full time. Our children's education has become more integrated between teachers and parents. Many parents have found that challenging and need help to manage that better.

E) Moments of Unexpected Emotions: We don't have a full understanding of how the pandemic has affected our kids and our parents. We should not be surprised by emotional responses from our loved ones that we might not understand. We shouldn't rush to any conclusions when that happens.

F) Faith and Fallacy: Those of us who claim to believe in God need to have a double check on our thoughts and responses to this pandemic as we provide leadership and care for our families. How does our faith in God shape our response to this horrid event? Be aware of our fallacy as we seek God's involvement in our family's needs and concerns.

Colossians 3:16

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

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