ADVENTURES AT HOME: QUARANTINE, KIDS AND CREATIVITY: PART 2
Quarantine Week 2
So I hope by now you’re settled into this STAY AT HOME idea. I hope your kids are getting used to online school, and some may even be looking forward to those hours. For kids, seeing their friends and even their teachers brings a sense of normalcy to their days. For parents, knowing our kids are learning and being challenged should make us feel that we are still in control of at least one thing--education.
We should all be doing our part in social distancing. Luckily, at the end of the day, if you have to be quarantined, these are the people you’d want to be stuck with (hopefully).
Here are a few ideas I’ve been using to keep us enjoying this concentrated time together.
Because we are all spending a lot of time with our families, it’s important to focus on all the good & the positive around you. Sit around the table and make each person give a compliment about every family member. You can then extend this as a time to set personal goals. Have each person pick something they want to work on this week, be it their outlook on our new situation or just being kinder to a sibling. It could also be more external like working on an art project they have been meaning to get to.
Everyone from Disney to Broadway, museums and fitness programs of every kind are putting themselves out there and giving us access to all sorts of things we wouldn’t have before. Take a virtual tour of a museum or zoo, watch a Broadway show you’ve never seen before or my favorite: watch a Disney parade from an unexpected place like Disney Tokyo!
https://insidethemagic.net/2020/03/disney-parks-release-performances-tokyo-disneyland-lp1/
Everyday I encourage each of my kids to call at least 3 people. It could be a friend, aunt, uncle, cousin, grandparent. Just say hello, see how they are doing- encourage “socializing.” Preschoolers can call their friends, play with dolls together or just give each other a tour of their rooms. The older kids will be happy to connect in any way with their school friends who they are used to sharing their days with. Family members, grandparents in particular, will enjoy the noise and commotion you might need a break from.
It could be a Facetime call or a regular phone call.
Remember to especially reach out to anyone that may be quarantined alone or whose spouse/family member is on the front lines--Special thanks and shout out to doctors, nurses and other hospital workers--Thank you!!!
There is something so therapeutic about coloring. There are so many great options out there. Romero Britto coloring book, Elizabeth Sutton coloring pages- print some out and do them together as a family. It’s great for all ages and provides space and time for some great conversation while the kids are coloring.
Just get in your car and drive around the neighborhood. One of my daughters expressed how much she missed just going out for a drive.
There are some super simple art projects, science projects, and wood projects out there. Buy a Maker Monkey Workshop kit- she is offering free shipping anywhere in the U.S.
There are other amazing moms out there who have done the creative thinking for you- check out Mothercould and Maker Monkey Workshop- just follow their lead and let your kids explore their inner artist!
Michaels is having great sales and offering curbside pickup. They also have great project ideas on their website.
We don’t know how long we will be in this unprecedented situation, but the best way to conquer it all is to stay organized. Prepare menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Prep and Rally is totally my inspiration. Organize your hours the way that works best for you. Make sure to add in some YOU time (with a hot cup of tea, coffee or maybe a glass of wine- while all your kids are doing lunch, naptime, or tag in your spouse- this is key.
I’ve been writing a to-do list for each of my kids every day and I give it to them in the morning. It is individualized for each kid, and also includes a little positive note with words of encouragement.
“Congratulations! You made it to day ___ of quarantine! Thank you for your patience and the kindness you showed to your sibling. I love you so much!”
There are so many hours in the day so put all sorts of things on their to do lists, besides their school work. Do a science project, play a game with your sister, or add in any of the activities listed above or from my last newsletter. Even my 3 year old looks forward to her to do list everyday.