Quarantine Like A Mother!
Momming is hard. Real hard. Mothers may be the most prepared when it comes to social distancing. And when it comes to "crisis" well, we experience that every day. Not every "crisis" is pandemic level but, try being at the zoo without a binky, on a road trip with the wrong sippy cup, or in a formal dress amid a blowout. It may not be an emergency, but it feels tragic all the same! So here are some tips and tricks from a seasoned mom of almost 4.
Get On A Quarantine Routine!
For the first few days or even a whole week, it may be lovely to sleep in and watch too much tv, but that gets old quick. Don't let your people fall into the trap of stir crabby! Get on a routine and stick to it.
Sit down and talk it out. Letting others have a say in their routine goes a long way in boosting morale, and they are more likely to respect the agreement.
Clear parameters- When are people waking up and when is "lights out."
Schedule in quiet time, your babes, kids, and teens need it as much as you do. You're going to be spending a lot of time together, getting ahead of the game on this one will save everyone a lot of frustration. I recommend blocking it into the middle of the day.
Have dedicated "no screen" time. It doesn't have to be long, but even 30 minutes without media distraction can add some calm into your home.
Make A Calendar.
Line out and post some activities throughout the week that people can look forward to. You may get some eye rolls from the teens, but secretly they will happy its there.
Movie Night, Game Night, Free Night, Kids choice
Pizza Night, Fast Food Night, Taco Tuesdays, Junk food Fridays,
Kids Cook Wednesdays, Baking Day, Cleaning Day
Hiking, Walking, Guys Day Running, Girls Day Yoga, Family biking
Give Your Kids A Job!
Your kids don't want all the responsibilities of adulthood yet. However, They do want to be treated according to their abilities. So give them some age-appropriate jobs that actually matter. Not just chores but choices.
Let them look through the pantry and plan a family meal. If they are old enough, let them cook it too.
Let them look around and make a list for cleaning day. What do they think needs to be done? You will all pitch in with the work but let them make the decisions. You may even get some things done that you hadn't noticed.
Let them make a budget. Choose an expense budget for the week and let them decide how to spend the money. It's a pretty safe time to do it since the options are limited. Make sure they know what the needs are so they can factor those in first.
If your kids are younger, let them choose a dessert to bake with you, ask them to pick the activity, ask them to be the laundry switchers and surface wipers.
Share Your Kids Hobbies
Let your kids of all ages teach you about their interests, learn how to play pokemon or that video game that you always hear in the background. Start their favorite show over and watch it with them.
Getting to know our kids could easily take the next three weeks.
Make a Bucket List
Take turns adding items to the family bucket list. When everyone is feeling bored, choose something from the list. It doesn't all have to be fun. Maybe mom wants the Floors mopped, and Dad wants the garage cleaned. Perhaps somebody wants to have an avengers marathon, and somebody else wants to have a chess tournament. I can't reiterate "choices" enough. Morale booster.
Other Stuff To Do:
Read, watch a show, do yoga, meditate, pray, journal, draw, take a walk, go for a run, exercise at home, play a game, declutter your closet, do ALL the laundry, clean out the garage, paint a room, clean the windows, batch cook meals, go thru the junk drawer, wash the shower curtains and linens, Do a TikTok, call your friends and family, shoot some hoops, build a monstrously complicated lego set, do a puzzle, learn a strategy game.
Prioritize!
Prioritize the people around you and be present-minded. This chance to reconnect with your loved ones will not come by government mandates ever again.