Zen Parenting: Covid-19 Edition

According to a report from the BBC, nearly 75% of Americans are on some form of "lockdown". Schools across the country are closed at least until May, with many being closed until further notice.

That means that very suddenly, our lives have sharply pivoted in a way they haven’t in over a generation. Children are at home during a time when they wouldn’t normally be, and most parents are home with them.

This can be a time for stress but with the strategies below you may find these will become some of the most memorable bonding days of our lives.

Step 1: Create an Adult Schedule        

In order to create a good environment for children, the parents first need to be calm and collected and not showing signs of stress. We have found that breaking up the day by the hour has helped us get our necessary work done, allowed us time to maintain our physical and mental wellness and not slight the children. Everyone is different but this has been immensely helpful for us.

Step 2: Have a variety of activities planned to fill the hours.

• Plant a Garden
• Go on a Bike Ride
• Go on a Virtual Museum Tour
• Have a Fort Building Contest
• Redecorate a Room
• Make Cup Telephones
• Play Catch
• Learn a new life skill
• Bake Something
• Do arts & crafts (pinterest has SO many ideas - pick a new one each day!)

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Step 3: Break up the Monotony (SO IMPORTANT)

With the interruption of our normal routines, many of us find that yesterday, today and tomorrow all feel the same. This confuses the mind and can instill a sense of desperation and melancholy if not actively combated.

There should be events that make today different than tomorrow. Scheduling these ahead of time also gives you something to look forward to.

Suggested Activities:

• Yoga/Meditation/Workouts ahead of time.
• Zoom calls with friends (there has never been more opportunity to reconnect)
• Create a dinner from a different part of the world each night.