How to keep your kids busy and calm during the long break from school?
In this time of uncertainty, we are all feeling a bit overwhelmed and stressed out. Our children need us to stay calm and provide a structured, routine for them in our homes. Here are some tips and ideas of things that I am doing with my own children to help ease the anxiety:
1.Make a schedule- every day when we get up, I help my children make a schedule for the day. We break the day up into hours and talk about what activities we will do. This helps provide structure and predictability to their day. You may have to make your child’s schedule depending how old they are. Adding pictures can help if your child is unable to read.
2.Add movement and outside time if possible into their day and yours. Moving our bodies helps reduce our stress and our children’s. If you cannot get outside, create an obstacle course using pillows and different objects that they can jump on, crawl under, through, and over.
3.Give you child some “quiet time” during the day. Even if your child is no longer napping, quiet time is good for everyone! Especially for mom or dad! Set the rules first. I set a timer and tell my kids that they have to stay in their room or designated area doing “quiet activities” until the timer goes off. This could include looking at books, drawing, playing quietly with their toys, doing puzzles, etc.
4.Add in chores! The kids may not like the idea of chores, but who does! Try to make it manageable based on their age. If they are young, they can clean up their toys or put the silverware away from the dishwasher. Older kids can do much more! Fold laundry, clean the dishes, help clean the bathrooms. I usually have chore time paired with a fun activity after. After chores you get free choice. This usually helps with their motivation to complete their chores.
5.Make the day fun! This is an unusual time. We are not used to slowing down our lives, but I think this can be a wonderful lesson to us all. We can slow down and spend quality time with one another. Teach your kids new boards games that you used to play as a child, learn how to play Super Smash Bros. with your teenager, bake something that you haven’t ever made. The key is do your best. Some days the kids will argue and you will be wishing school was in session, but other days try to see the positive of this situation. How often are you forced to be home with your family. Make the most of it and enjoy one another!
