We’ve spent a good bit of time talking with our kids in the lead-up to the need for social distancing. I’m going to share here how we’re handling this with them - maybe it will be helpful for you too.
First of all, we’ll have a schedule. We’ll let them have a few fun days of TV binging (and let’s be honest, it’ll partly be because the grownups will be glued to the news). After that, weekdays will have a schedule.
The daily schedule will include time for physical movement (yoga, jumping and running in our tiny yard if weather allows, or whatever we can dream up), study, free play, and screen time.
I apologize...Twitter seems to be down and half my tweets aren't posting. I may need to pick this back up later.
Unbelieveable - I was trying to tweet a link to the CDC and that seems to be what's preventing my tweets from posting.
Anyway, onward...Next point: we will of course keep up all the good hygiene. Wash hands, wash hands, wash hands. Cough + sneeze into your elbow. Don’t touch your face with unwashed hands. Help wipe down remotes, handles, etc.
We’ve told them Tata and I will be on our phones/computers a lot. This isn’t because we want to ignore them, but because we’re watching the news in order to make the best decisions for our family. Also, totally okay for them to tell us they’re sick of us being on our phones.
We won’t be able to go to the store for a long time. This means eating a whole bag of Bamba while binging on “Just Add Magic” means we may not have any more Bamba for a good long while. So pour a little bowl and try to make it last.
(plus, no one should be eating a whole bag of anything in one sitting anyway)
Not being able to shop also means that sandwich crusts and fruit that’s not eaten because it’s not the exact color and firmness of their liking is something of a bygone era. No seconds, no other choices, until plates are clean. They're going to have to learn to like new things.
We know they’ll miss their friends and family. For now, options are: FaceTime, shouting from the porch, sending texts to other moms and dads to relay messages. We’ll find ways to stay in contact.
(survival note: start a group text with your mom friends on your block for support. Also, write down all important numbers on paper and keep it somewhere safe.)
We emphasize that this is temporary. This will not be forever. It will be hard at times, but it won’t be forever.
We also are adamant that we’ll have to be creative. We’ll need to find interesting, fun ways to keep our minds occupied and solve problems.
We’ve told them we all have to be good citizens. This means:
* leaving services like delivery for people who need it most, like doctors, nurses, the elderly, or people who didn’t have the resources/luxury to prepare in advance.
* leaving services like delivery for people who need it most, like doctors, nurses, the elderly, or people who didn’t have the resources/luxury to prepare in advance.
*on that point above, it will also mean some restraint when it comes to favorite snacks and foods. We can’t unnecessarily strain the system because we want to eat Nutella.
(being a good citizen, cont'd):
* helping others who need it
* helping the household: be nice to each other, clean up messes, help figure out solutions
* helping others who need it
* helping the household: be nice to each other, clean up messes, help figure out solutions
*being okay with the inconvenience of staying in so that we don’t infect grammas, grampas, crossing guards, librarians, teachers…everyone has someone they love very much who we don’t want to make sick.
(I have added "Being a good citizen" and "Being kind/helpful" to their weekly chore charts now)
I figured now is as good a time as any to resurrect my parenting blog that’s been on hiatus. All the points above are also a post there.
The post includes our schedule, links to resources + a free activity packet you can download and help keep your little ones occupied (includes coloring sheets, simple activities w/stuff you should already have, recipes, chore/good citizen charts + more). homewithlittles.com/blog-articles/…
Have no idea how often I’ll update that blog, but plan to add as I think of anything relevant/helpful.
Let’s stick together. ❤️
Love to all of you. Praying for all of us, especially our medical workers and our leaders. ❤️
Let’s stick together. ❤️
Love to all of you. Praying for all of us, especially our medical workers and our leaders. ❤️
Clarifying that this comment is with regards to my household. If I didn't have kids watching me and needing snacks, I would probably totally stress eat a whole bag of Bamba right now.
