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How to talk to your kids about COVID-19

My 8-year-old arrived home last week in tears. Lip quivering, she came to me with a heap of questions about the coronavirus.

“Is my daddy going to get coronavirus because he’s Chinese?”

I looked at her dumbfounded – my heart walking a thread-bare tightrope between sadness and anger.

“Who told you that, Baby?”

“Oh, kids at school are saying all different things. One kid was running around at recess saying he had the coronavirus.”

I prayed. Oh Jesus, give me the words.

I took my blond baby-girl into my lap, and looked into her almond-shaped, dark eyes. “What are your questions?”

We worked through them one by one. I held her close.

I tried to be honest, but also reassure her with the truth of how disease spreads and how we could be cautious with washing our hands and staying out of big crowds. We talked about the most vulnerable in our circles. We took deep breaths together.

Frankly, the news on this pandemic and how it impacts us and our neighbors has changed daily. My kids have lots of questions. Misinformation swirls around us. As an Asian-American family and as Christians, we can’t ignore the racism that is spreading across the world faster than this virus. We don’t always have answers, but it’s important to talk to my kids and navigate it together.

These are some ways we can help our kids and ourselves as we navigate all of this:

Pray and breathe. When we are filled with fear, we need to pause and pray. When I was a little girl my mama had me memorize and pray Scriptures when I was afraid. One of my favorites:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 1 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV)

My daughters can recite the words now, too. We choose faith over fear. We can lead our kids, our families, and our churches in praying for those who already have the virus. We can pray for those who are most vulnerable and have compromised immune systems. We can pray for Asian-American brothers and sisters who have endured racism and accusations. We can pray against a spirit of fear.

Reach out. People are urging us to socially distance ourselves from each other. Maybe it’s a good idea to stop shaking hands and touching each other’s faces, but let’s not let the enemy have the upper hand in isolating our hearts. Let’s do what is counterintuitive in the face of fear. Let’s lean in emotionally.

We can lead our kids to speak with words of compassion and kindness. We can model for them patience in grocery stores and local businesses. We can check in on our grandparents, our friends, our neighbors. We can make a phone call or send a text to those who might be vulnerable in this situation.

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8

Jesus modeled this spirit for us. He reached out to the most vulnerable in society as his mission. He talked to women who were outcasts, touched lepers, looked into the eyes of ethnic minorities, healed children who were sick, grieved alongside people enduring loss, and invited the poor to be blessed at his table.

Educate. This is an important time when we need to make sure we have correct information and quell rumors before they spread. We have an opportunity to educate our children – not just in how to properly wash their hands and sneeze into the fold of their arms, but also in how this virus does not discriminate. It may have started in a certain part of the world, but it doesn’t mean that all people of a certain race or skin color have it and spread it.

Lament and comfort. We need to give ourselves permission to feel deep sorrow over this spreading pandemic, to mourn what is lost and will be lost, and to cry out to God against the injustices. My little girl needed me to hear her, cry with her, and comfort her instead of sweeping her confusion and grief under the rug.

The Western Church is not as accustomed to making space for lament and grief because we often don’t have to, but this virus levels the playing field. We all need to come to the feet of Jesus, who also welcomed the children.

Love your neighbor. Now, more than ever, we have the opportunity to obey the second greatest commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39) This may mean sharing food and toilet paper with our neighbors. This might look like helping our kids stick up for their friends who are singled out because of their ethnic background and alienated in the lunchroom. This could look like ordering from a local Chinese restaurant or buying a gift card to eat there in the future as a small act of solidarity to support a local business and say, “We are not afraid to eat with you.”

In Galatians 6:2, Paul urged us to carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. As I sit at the dinner table with my family, we brainstorm ways we can love our neighbors and be agents of healing in this time of uncertainty. We pray for our friends, our school, our country, our world, and those most affected. We cling to hope because this is the peace offering we as believers have to offer the world today.

Sometimes we have to look fear in the face and speak truth. As moms and dads, it’s vital that we collect the facts and filter it through our spiritual lenses. That’s the best way to help our kids navigate the chaos of this world with a deeper perspective of Kingdom living and an eternal hope.

*I love to connect more personally with my readers. I’d love to send you my weekly Glorygram, which includes a word of encouragement and recommendations for my favorite podcasts, recipes, reads and videos. Subscribe at www.DorinaGilmore/subscribe

*This article was originally published on The MOPS blog.

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March 19, 2020 Categories: GeneralTagged: COVID-19, family life, fear, kids, parenting, struggle, transitions

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Meet Dorina

Aloha, friend! If you love stories, you are in the right place. I write about grief, glory, running, food, and more. I hope these words inspire you to chase after God’s glory in your life today!

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🥳 I’m so excited to chat with children’s book illustrator Lynnor Bontigao on my Global Glory Chasers broadcast tomorrow about writing and illustrating children’s books.

Lynnor Bontigao stapled her first illustrated story at the age of 10 in the Philippines. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication. In college, she joined Ang InK, a children’s illustrator group where she fell in love with children’s books. She worked as a graphic designer before moving to the US in 1996. In the US, she studied programming and became a Programmer Analyst for a major financial firm in NYC for 15 years and went back to her first love, art.

She is the author-illustrator of SARI-SARI SUMMERS, her debut picture book with Candlewick Press. She is also the illustrator of THE WORLD`S BEST CLASS PLANT written by award-winning authors Liz Garton Scanlon & Audrey Vernick, as well as YOU ARE REVOLUTIONARY by Cindy Wang Brandt of the popular podcast, Parenting Forward.

Lynnor is a member of the Society of Children`s Book Writers and Illustrators and the winner of the 2020 SCBWI Tomie dePaola Professional Development Award, the 2020 Kweli/SCBWI Emerging Voice Award, and the 2021 Kweli Sing the Truth! Mentorship. Lynnor was also September 2021 SCBWI Featured Illustrator. She loves stories where family relationships, culture, and food are intertwined. Lynnor Bontigao lives in Roselle Park, NJ with her family and 1 tiny dog.

🎤 Join us at 1 pm PT | 4 pm ET right here on IGlive! We will also be sharing about our coming children’s book, Kailani’s Gift! Tag a friend who might enjoy this broadcast too!

#kidlit #globalglorychasers #filipino #filipina @waterbrookmultnomahkids #multicultural #representationmatters #childrensauthor #childrensauthorsofinstagram #childrensauthor

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Mar 29

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🥳 I’m so excited to chat with children’s book illustrator  Lynnor Bontigao on my Global Glory Chasers broadcast tomorrow about writing and illustrating children’s books. 
Lynnor Bontigao stapled her first illustrated story at the age of 10 in the Philippines. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication. In college, she joined Ang InK, a children’s illustrator group where she fell in love with children’s books. She worked as a graphic designer before moving to the US in 1996. In the US, she studied programming and became a Programmer Analyst for a major financial firm in NYC for 15 years and went back to her first love, art. 
She is the author-illustrator of SARI-SARI SUMMERS, her debut picture book with Candlewick Press. She is also the illustrator of THE WORLD'S BEST CLASS PLANT written by award-winning authors Liz Garton Scanlon & Audrey Vernick, as well as YOU ARE REVOLUTIONARY by Cindy Wang Brandt of the popular podcast, Parenting Forward.
Lynnor is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and the winner of the 2020 SCBWI Tomie dePaola Professional Development Award, the 2020 Kweli/SCBWI Emerging Voice Award, and the 2021 Kweli Sing the Truth! Mentorship. Lynnor was also September 2021 SCBWI Featured Illustrator. She loves stories where family relationships, culture, and food are intertwined. Lynnor Bontigao lives in Roselle Park, NJ with her family and 1 tiny dog.
🎤 Join us at 1 pm PT | 4 pm ET right here on IGlive! We will also be sharing about our coming children’s book, Kailani’s Gift! Tag a friend who might enjoy this broadcast too! 
#kidlit #globalglorychasers #filipino #filipina @waterbrookmultnomahkids #multicultural #representationmatters #childrensauthor #childrensauthorsofinstagram #childrensauthor
31 1

📚Did you know pre-orders are a big deal for launching books?! When people pre-order, it helps retailers like Amazon and even smaller bookstores know that this book is worth stocking and sharing.

👉🏾Pre-order my new children’s book, Chasing God’s Glory, through one of your fave retailers and get access to exclusive content we’ve created just for you!

As part of your pre-order bonuses, you’ll receive:

🖍️Glory Chasing Family Activity Pack that’s filled with scavenger hunts, coloring crafts, a pineapple empanada recipe, and more fun for the entire family

🌎 Free access to a Global Glory Chasers Course on Brownicity (one country of your choice)

✍🏾 Dorina’s Glorygram with weekly encouragement, recipes, resources and fun giveaways

Hop over here for details: https://dorinagilmore.com/chasing-gods-glory/

🚀 If you want to join my launch team and share about the book, I can send you a sneak peek digital copy! DM me or respond here! Grateful!

#booklaunch #kidlit #authorsofinstagram #authorssupportingauthors #writersofinstagram #hopewriterlife @redbudwriters #picturebook #readingwithkids

View

Mar 28

Open
📚Did you know pre-orders are a big deal for launching books?! When people pre-order, it helps retailers like Amazon and even smaller bookstores know that this book is worth stocking and sharing. 
👉🏾Pre-order my new children’s book, Chasing God’s Glory, through one of your fave retailers and get access to exclusive content we’ve created just for you!
As part of your pre-order bonuses, you’ll receive:
🖍️Glory Chasing Family Activity Pack that’s filled with scavenger hunts, coloring crafts, a pineapple empanada recipe, and more fun for the entire family
🌎 Free access to a Global Glory Chasers Course on Brownicity (one country of your choice)
✍🏾 Dorina’s Glorygram with weekly encouragement, recipes, resources and fun giveaways
Hop over here for details: https://dorinagilmore.com/chasing-gods-glory/
🚀 If you want to join my launch team and share about the book, I can send you a sneak peek digital copy! DM me or respond here! Grateful! 
#booklaunch #kidlit #authorsofinstagram #authorssupportingauthors #writersofinstagram #hopewriterlife @redbudwriters #picturebook #readingwithkids
56 7

🥳I just had to share this moment with you! It’s my first first time holding my book in my hands… Here’s a sneak peek inside Chasing God’s Glory, which releases on April 11! Three. More. Weeks!

🌅Pre-order your copy at your favorite retailer, grab the pre-order bonus Family Activity Pack, and learn more at https://dorinagilmore.com/chasing-gods-glory/ 🚴

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Mar 27

Open
🥳I just had to share this moment with you! It’s my first first time holding my book in my hands… Here’s a sneak peek inside Chasing God’s Glory, which releases on April 11! Three. More. Weeks!
🌅Pre-order your copy at your favorite retailer, grab the pre-order bonus Family Activity Pack, and learn more at https://dorinagilmore.com/chasing-gods-glory/ 🚴
152 60

Weekends are for glory chasing…

#glorychasers #chasinggodsglory #walkrunsoar #trailrunning

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Mar 27

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Weekends are for glory chasing…
#glorychasers #chasinggodsglory #walkrunsoar #trailrunning
30 2

Come learn more about how to chase God`s glory through our everyday world and my new children`s book on the @incourage podcast today! I`m chatting with Community Manager @beckykeife about the story behind the book and why I`m so passionate about leading others to experience God`s glory.

The (in)courage podcast is brought to you by DaySpring. For over 50 years, DaySpring has created quality cards, books, and gifts that help you live your faith. Find out more at DaySpring.com.

Listen in anywhere you find your podcasts!

#podcast #podcasts #podcaster #podcasting #podcastlife #podcastersofinstagram #faithpodcast #kidlit #kidlitauthor

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Mar 25

Open
Come learn more about how to chase God's glory through our everyday world and my new children's book on the @incourage podcast today! I'm chatting with Community Manager @beckykeife about the story behind the book and why I'm so passionate about leading others to experience God's glory.
The (in)courage podcast is brought to you by DaySpring. For over 50 years, DaySpring has created quality cards, books, and gifts that help you live your faith. Find out more at DaySpring.com.
Listen in anywhere you find your podcasts! 
#podcast #podcasts #podcaster #podcasting #podcastlife #podcastersofinstagram #faithpodcast #kidlit #kidlitauthor
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