As our shelter in place continues to stretch on we are all faced with new challenges to adapt and overcome. Some families passed through many of these hurdles in the beginning. Those first few days cooped up together were a battle as everyone struggled to adjust and develop new routines. Other families are just now hitting these walls. Originally these changes were viewed as a fun adventure. Everyone was excited for the opportunity and the change. Now that the novelty has worn off this new season of life looks like less of a grand adventure, and more like a bad dream we wish would end. No matter your family stage on this journey things are hard and we will have to continue to be flexible and patient with ourselves and each other.
We can't allow ourselves to give into frustration or be overwhelmed by this current season. Because pandemic or not, this is still a formative time for our children. Yes, this is challenging. And yes, we are all pioneers in this brave new world. However, life goes on. We need to not only survive this season, but as families we must continue to thrive. I mean honestly we are living in an unparalleled stage that might one day be in future generations history books. When your children's great grand kids ask them what they remember of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 what will they say? What will stand out to them?
As weird as it sounds this outbreak has presented some great opportunities for families to bond and make special memories together. We, as parents, can make this time special. We can make this shelter in place a magical time that your child will fondly remember and love to share with posterity. If we choose to use this time to our advantage. Everyday life before the outbreak was busy, busy, busy. We constantly were telling ourselves and our children that 'we would love to do (BLANK) if only we had more time.' Now is our shot! So here are some ideas to continue making the most of this shelter in place something worth remembering...
DOCUMENT THE JOURNEY:
Our life is worth remembering. Having a visual or written version of our story gives us something joyful to look back on when things are hard or we are separated from the ones we love. So get the whole family involved. Consider making a movie or scrapbook about your family. Have everyone keep a journal or make a time capsule to bury and commemorate life before and during the pandemic. You can make this as practical or fun as you want to.
CREATE NEW TRADITIONS:
Building weekly traditions is all about strengthening your family's routines and giving everyone happy things to look forward too (and depending on the tradition it can help you keep track of the days of the week during this strange new era). Now is the time to start having Taco Tuesday, Breakfast for Dinner, or Sundae Sunday. Now is the time to build weekly habits of being active together. Now is the time for walks after dinner, board game nights, or home movie theater days! Have some fun with it. Get everyone together and vote on what you want to do. Or write it down and randomly draw an idea (or two, or three) for the week.
MAKE THE ORDINARY, EXTRAORDINARY:
There are certain things that have to be done. Bath time, work, school, exercise, bedtime, etc. Find ways to put a little extra magic in it. Maybe bath times include glow sticks now. All exercising is now a competition for who can has the best form or is the most flexible. Bedtime now involves a story under a makeshift blanket fort with a flashlight. Maybe you do school outside. Use this time we've been given to add magic to the ordinary.
The bottom line is childhood is a magical experience, and shelter in place can be too. Making some special or uniquely out of the ordinary is what childhood memories are made of. So despite the fears many of us have and the anxiety, let's use this opportunity to sow a little joy in our homes. And as you allow the magic of new traditions to take root in your hearts you might just find sheltering in place isn't as bad as it was before.
#RaiseAWarrior
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