Parenting through COVID-19 with Mary Gordon

Roots of Empathy Founder and President, Mary Gordon, has a series of mental health and well-being videos for parents.

Available in 19 languages, including six Indigenous languages

 For subtitles in Arabic | Bengali | Czech | Dutch | French
German | Korean | Indonesian | Polish | Spanish | Swahili | Tamil

Click play on the videos below and then hover your cursor on the settings icon (which looks like a gear wheel) on the bottom right of the screen. When you click the icon a menu will pop up which includes Subtitles/CC. Click on the arrow to the right and it will provide a menu of languages to choose from.

Mohawk | Ojibwe | Cree | Inuktitut | Wolastoqey | Mi’kmaq
Indigenous Translations
Not Yet

Mary Gordon explains childhood development. The timing of that development is unique to every child.

Sleep

Mary Gordon discusses the importance of sleep

Friendship

Mary Gordon talks about the importance of friends in children’s lives and how parents can support their children as they navigate friendships during this pandemic.

Mary Gordon speaking to camera
School anxiety

As families prepare to send children back to school, anxiety is at a peak. Children may be anxious and parents definitely are anxious. Mary speaks to parents about the contagion of anxiety and offers guidance on how to reduce anxiety and increase confidence and resilience.

Mary Gordon wearing white sleeveless blouse speaking to camera
Talking to your child about racism

The COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter protests have made having conversations with your children about the state of the world essential. Mary offers support and understanding that these are difficult, awkward conversations. Parents can help children navigate the challenge and let them know there are ways through this tumultuous time – especially together.

Sharing our vulnerability

Parents are struggling during COVID-19. Mary Gordon has a message about sharing that with your children. Children know you’re feeling stressed – they’re feeling it too. Sometimes, admitting it gives them an opportunity to express their feelings too.

Parents as teachers

During this time of coronavirus, Mary Gordon offers some thoughts and comfort to parents who find themselves in the new role of “teacher” at home. As she says, your role as teacher isn’t that new. You were your child’s first teacher – and you always will be.

Reducing children’s fears in the face of COVID-19

Mary Gordon has a message for all parents, all caregivers, all of us who care for children on how to ease children’s anxieties as they watch and listen to how adults in their lives react to the coronavirus pandemic.

Roots of Empathy acknowledges the generous support of the Government of Ontario.