Being a parent in this pandemic can be quite daunting. We are faced with fears of the unknown, more so for our kids. Parenting is already hard enough in this day and age but add a global pandemic to the mix, and we are even more confused on how to proceed.
My daughter, now five years old, knows more than I expected her to. I asked her why she is not going to school and she immediately responded corona. I was shocked as I have never spoken to her about what is going on but I imagine she picked up from our conversations since children are usually very alert.
So, what do we do with our little ones so that they are not bored to death at home seeing as this is week one and we have 30 days with them at home?
Here are some tips that are working out for me:
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When it comes to development, playtime is a serious thing and with the rapid growth of technology sometimes it can be easier to have your child use the phone or a tablet. However, it is so important that we let our children interact with dolls and black dolls for that matter – ones that they can identify with. In addition, the open-ended nature of doll play can allow children to practice routines or social interactions that help them as they continue growing up which in turn can help you analyze your child’s behavior towards other people.
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If you are a parent who loves working out and cannot go to the gym, how about working out with the kids. There are so many YouTube videos out there, and let me tell you, if you have a toddler like me who likes to be carried in between workouts, you will get twice the work outs than normal. Hopefully, by the end of your workout, they will also be exhausted and give you the time to re-energize.
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You can engage your kids with different activities and games. And with Baby Rack, we have black dolls for you that your child can identify with.
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Do you still have your house helps /nannies with you? If not, we can include kids in the house chores, get them busy, let them throw in the laundry in the machine, give your little one a broom to distract him while you try and clean up. If your kids are older you can give them some chores to do on their own.
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We do not want them to forget about books while at home. Although it’s very tempting, try to limit their time in front of TVs, phones, computers and other electronics. Use flashcards, soduku books, storybooks and other interactive tools to keep them busy.
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Encourage nap times. A child who sleeps better grows better. This will also give you some time for yourself (All parents understand how crucial this is)
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With all precautions taken, they can play outside, ride bikes, walk the dog or just stay outside to soak some vitamin D and get some fresh air.
Plan and maintain a schedule. You will be surprised how fast the day will go by and your children will be tired by the end of the day.
Let’s be creative on how to keep the children busy at home for our sanity and theirs. What do you do to keep your children busy?