Every parent knows how important it is to start forming meaningful bonds at home with their children as early as possible. But it can be difficult to find ways to do so when you're dealing with everything else that's going on.
For parents having to deal with their little balls of energy at home on a daily basis, here's how to continue bonding with them while still staying safe.
Try to DIY at Home
When it comes to DIY, your options are truly endless. Artist Nelson Mendoza and teacher Brittany Kissinger teamed up to create sidewalk obstacles using chalk, which you can also do in your backyard. If you don't have a backyard, you can make your own obstacle course at home using boxes, pillows, and rugs. Of course, obstacle courses aren't the only things you can DIY. Whether it's sock puppets or pillow forts, cultivating a DIY mindset shows your kids that you don't need lots of resources to have a fun time. For parents with toddlers, you can fill up some clear boxes with fun things like pillows, yarn, and water to have them go on a little sensory trek of their own.
Go out for a (safe) walk
This tip is causing quite a bit of confusion for many, who are unsure about taking their kids for a walk. However, WKYC reports that a quick walk can do your kids a world of good provided you stay safe. Children can get very restless at home, but don’t underestimate the power that even a 10-minute walk can do. To help ensure your children’s safety, the tandem pushchairs on iCandy are easily maneuverable and about the same width as a single stroller. A great stroller also keeps your kids comfortable while keeping them out of harm's way. This means you can focus on helping them take in their surroundings, getting some much needed vitamin D and conversation during your stroll. A quick stroll with your kids gives you a bit of a breather too, and you can use this time to teach your kids about the neighborhood you live in.
Remember to take things slow
While it's important to stimulate your children at home, make sure you're also carving out time for your family. Time to take a breather and do some calming activities that will allow them to process their feelings. Our previous article on processing ‘Children's Feelings’ outlines how important it is to really listen and empathize with your child. Just because they can't articulate their feelings doesn't mean they're not there. Even something as simple as asking your kids how their day went before going to bed can really give you insight into how they're coping. You can also intersperse some calming activities into your routine, with Good Housekeeping noting the rise of toddler yoga classes as a way to calm kids down.
Parenting is never an easy task, but parenting at home in the middle of a global health crisis is a challenge. No doubt that's catching many of us off guard. As always, it's helpful to know some concrete steps you can take to make your parenting journey fun despite all the chaos.
