Mamas and Daddies…parents…or anyone that is struggling with this situation we are in….what an unprecedented time we live in. We have such an opportunity to teach our children so many things through this challenging part of history we are living. Those of you parents that already homeschool know what to do-your life has not changed that much. As a Mom of three homeschool graduates, I had my girls home with me all the time, and I loved every minute of it. Those of you that are used to sending your children to school and are having a hard time managing a job from home and the children at home, please let me offer a little assistance to you as you are now home with your children.
Schedule
You must have a schedule. Do not attempt to go through your days without a schedule. Start at the beginning of the day and put everyone on a schedule. Everyone needs to get up at the same time every day. Everyone needs to go to bed at the same time. If you as a parent got up at 6:00 and the kids got up at 7:00, keep the same schedule. There can be some adjusting since there is not any transportation time that is needed. The goal here is to be consistent. The same with bedtime. Keep it consistent. Then schedule the rest of your day, and post it so everyone knows exactly what is expected of them.
Together Time
Since everyone is in the house together, make the most of it. As part of your schedule, plan all meals to eat together. During mealtimes, talk together. If you feel like you don’t know what else to talk about since everyone knows what everyone else is doing then go online and find some questions. This link has 100+ questions that can be asked at mealtime. Make mealtime a fun time together that brings good conversation and laughter. We all need to laugh during this serious and difficult time. https://www.focusonthefamily.ca/content/100-mealtime-questions
Alone Time
Your together time will be so much more enjoyable if everyone has time to be alone. Make this a priority. Everyone needs to go to their room or somewhere in the house and spend time alone. This can be time to read a book, do schoolwork, write letters to friends, take up a new hobby, read your Bible and pray, etc. The time that everyone spends together will be so much better if everyone spends time alone. Let’s admit, after a while even our sweetest sister, spouse, or friend gets on our nerves if we are together all the time. Spend time alone. Schedule this in everyone’s day. This alone time is a perfect time for parents to get their work done that they need to do for their jobs.
Read a Book Out Loud Together
Some of my favorite memories with my girls was our time together when I would read out loud to them. The characters in those books became friends and became part of our conversation and a part of our everyday life. One of our favorite series to read aloud was “The Chronicles of Narnia.” I know that our library is closed down and we cannot check books out, but hopefully you have some good books at home or you can rent them online from the library. I am currently listening to a book on tape from the library, but you can also get a book from the library and download it on your hand held device and begin reading it out loud. Again, this needs to be part of your schedule.
Play Outside
The children and the parents need time outside. I used to make my girls go outside and play every day. Two of them liked to be outside and one of them did not. We always called her our indoor flower, but she still had to go outside. If she decided she didn’t want to play outside, then she could take her book outside and read. The point is that we all need fresh air. Especially during this time of a pandemic, we all need fresh air. So go outside and play ball or foursquare or swing on the swings in your backyard or make a fort. There are so many fun things, and this will give your children the chance to be creative.
Miscellaneous Time
What other things can be part of your schedule? Do a puzzle together or separately. We would pick puzzles according to the girls skill level and they would have a puzzle contest to see who could put their puzzle together first. Do a scavenger hunt. When our second daughter was born, my oldest always needed a little bit of entertainment during feeding time, so I came up with a game she could play. The game is called the touching game. I give her an object and she had to go touch it and come back. Then I would give her second object, then she had to touch the first object and then go touch the second object, etc. They get a little exercise and they learn words and objects. This game has become such a hit that my daughters have played it with their friends. It is something to play this game with 7 teens and for me as the object giver to try to remember what objects I gave to whom so they didn’t touch the same thing or I didn’t send any of them in the same direction. Play other games together, such as board games.
The Week-end
Do things a little different on the week-end. Make a schedule, but make it with some different things. The children can help you clean the house, work in the yard, plant a garden, cook some meals. This is the perfect time to teach them a new hobby that you want them to share with you.
Redeem the Time
The word “redeem” means to rescue or to buy back. Make the most of this time. Don’t look at it this time of quarantine as a negative, look at it as a positive. Be creative in the way you manage your time. Don’t get caught wasting time. Just because there is so much free time does not mean that we should waste it. Make the most of it. Rescue or redeem your time from being wasted. I want to say again, make a schedule. You will be so glad you did. A schedule is similar to a crib for a baby. A crib is used to keep the baby from falling out of bed-it is for the baby’s protection. A schedule will help your children to feel safe and secure because they know exactly what to expect out of their day. It will also minimize the amount of times you hear, “I’m bored.” Those words were not permitted at our house.
Dear parents, this situation that we are all in can be used in our lives and the lives of our children in a mighty way. Make the most of it. Redeem the time.
(The picture with this post is my Grandma teaching our daughters (Denise, middle daughter pictured) how to sew.
