A Time for Patience 
      Patience is defined in the dictionary as the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble or suffering without getting angry or upset. Throughout the times we are presently forced to tolerate, I cannot believe that there is any greater quality needed than patience.   
     We must spend a lot of time right now with our children who are not in school.  We need to get to know them and tolerate their moods and actions.  We need to be patient with them and with ourselves in a rare situation through this virus attack.   
     Patience can be taught to our children as we attempt to help them at home. They need to be patient with themselves when we limit their screen time which may be all they know to do with their out-of-school time. They need to be patient with their siblings when they get little break from them. They need to be patient with you as their “substitute teacher--more patient than they have been with the substitute teachers in school.   
     If we teach patience as a strength when dealing with people, as courage, as something that makes our children healthier and happier, we will accomplish more learning than they receive in school. If we teach them patience as steadfastness in face of the teasing and tormenting from siblings, we will also help ourselves to have patience. If all of us can remain calm in waiting for this to pass, we will have become better people, patient people. 
          Patience is not the ability to wait, but how you act while you are waiting.  
          Saumya Gupta ​
​      (See specific articles to learn how to grow patience in your children of all ages.)

            Even if the goal is academic, when we teach young people emotional skills, social                skills, we see better mental health.   Shimi Kang
       If we want our children to succeed in life, there are social and emotional skills we must teach them. As parents and caregivers, our time is important, but taking time to help children learn to control and use their feelings and emotions properly in society is worth every minute of our time.  This generation is growing up with tech time, but not parent time.
         Children who grow up feeling like they can't do things, are not good enough or that they are not worth anything experience mood swings, loss of pleasure and poor concentration.  These feelings are made worse by a tech-based society in which children experience social isolation and disconnection.
          Impulse control is one of the skills with which we can help our children. "Mastery of impulse is all about self-discipline and choice. The mind is a powerful tool with which we have the ability to be in control of ourselves," says Alaric Hutchinson. 
       Children need balance in their lives which parents and caregivers can give.  Creating routines, providing the right amount of nourishment in the form of fruits and vegetables with fewer calorie-rich snacks, limiting the amount of time children are on screen, providing time for physical activity, enough sleep for their age, and family time, especially at meals help children to know who they are and their place in the family as well as society. Communication and conversations are needed for children to grow successfully, to feel good about themselves  and to achieve in their studies.
      Suggestion:  Make time to listen to your children.