Resources for Parents during COVID-19

Parenting is hard and can be even more stressful during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's important to focus on what is within our control and lean into the supports we have available.

• Back to school

  Learn about prevention and protection guidelines for the reopening of schools during COVID-19.

  For specific reopening information and answers to frequently asked questions, visit your school board's website:

  • District School Board of Niagara
  • Niagara Catholic District School Board
  • Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir
  • Conseil scolaire Viamonde
    
    
• Pregnancy, parenting and infant / child health

  Niagara Parents is here for you. Although some of our programs and services have changed due to COVID-19, we're still offering the following services, though some may take place virtually:

  • Prenatal appointments with a public health nurse
  • Online prenatal education
  • Breastfeeding appointments with a public health nurse with breastfeeding expertise - contact Niagara Parents
  • Home visiting for new and expecting parents who need more support
  • Niagara Parents video chat

  Niagara Parents live chat and phone lines are still open. Connect with a public health nurse about your parenting questions.
  
  For more information on parenting during COVID-19, visit:

  • Top parenting tips for parents and caregivers in uncertain times from the Positive Parenting Program (read in French)
  • Parenting in the time of COVID-19 from the World Health Organization
  • COVID-19 and your child from Caring for Kids
  • Tips for families: coronavirus from Zero to Three

  For more information on pregnancy, childbirth and caring for newborns during COVID-19, visit:

  • Pregnancy, childbirth and caring for newborns: Advice for mothers from the Government of Canada
• Talking to your kids about COVID-19

  Our kids' worlds have been turned upside down and it leaves us wondering how we begin to talk to our children and reassure them. Check out the three-part series by Dr. Andrea Feller, Associate Medical Officer of Health at Niagara Region Public Health, as she shares tips on how to start a COVID-19 conversation with your child:

  • Talking with your children about COVID-19 part 1
  • Talking with your children about COVID-19 part 2
  • Talking with your children about COVID-19 part 3
• Helping children cope with stress

  Children cope with stress in different ways. They might be anxious, angry, agitated and / or need more attention than usual.

  For strategies on how to help your child cope with stress, visit:

  • Helping children cope with stress during the 2019-nCoV outbreak from the World Health Organization
  • Helping children and teens cope with stressful public events from Caring for Kids
  • Supporting the young people in your life during COVID-19 from Kids Help Phone
  • How to support your child's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic from School Mental Health Ontario
• Mental health and wellness

  Children and parents are all adjusting to a lot of change and a new normal. Here are resources that provide information on how to cope during this time:

  • How to cope with social distancing during COVID-19 from Kids Help Phone
  • Mental health and the COVID-19 pandemic from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
  • COVID-19 and mental health from the Canadian Mental Health Association
  • Practising self-care with young children at home from Zero to Three
  • The Summer Wellness Line from the District School Board of Niagara

  It's normal for something like the COVID-19 pandemic to affect your mental health. Everyone will cope in their own way but it's very important to have coping strategies in place. Visit our mental health page for a full list of mental health resources and supports.

  If you or your child are experiencing thoughts of suicide or harming yourself, call 911.

  If you are in crisis, call the Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) at 1-866-550-5205 or Pathstone Mental Health 24/7 line at 1-800-263-4944.

  Other telephone and text options include:

  • Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
  • Good 2 Talk (for post-secondary students): 1-866-925-5454 or text GOOD2TALKON to 686868
  • Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
• Emergency services for families

  For some, home is not a safe place. Abuse can take many forms. If you, or someone you know is being abused or need helps, reach out to one of the many resources for women and children in need.

  For emergency dental health information, call the Niagara Region Dental Health Line at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7962.

• Staying active

  To see how much physical activity your child should be getting, even while at home, visit Caring for Kids.

  For ideas on how to keep kids active at home during this time, visit Active for Life.

  For virtual summer camp information and registration, visit Niagara Families.
• Healthy eating

  For healthy eating tips at this time, visit Health Canada to find more information.

  Other resources during the COVID-19 pandemic include:

  • Healthy eating
  • Your eating habits
  • Meal planning
• Immunization

  School based clinics were cancelled this spring due to school closures and redeployment of Public Health staff.

  Contact your health care provider to discuss your child(ren)s vaccination. If you don't have one, contact a local walk-in clinic about vaccine availability.

  Public Health doesn't require schools to collect and submit student vaccination records. Parents or legal guardian's of junior and senior kindergarten registrants and students new in Ontario are asked to report their vaccinations to Public Health.

Public Health

Niagara Parents

• Clinics and Classes
• Becoming a Parent / Pregnancy
• Feeding your Baby
• Babies / Toddlers
• Kids / Children
• Youth / Teens
• Community Resources
• Healthy Schools
• Dental Health
• Contact Niagara Parents