At Home With Kids!

   
 

        So this year is somewhat new for all of us. We are practicing distancing to keep everyone safe and now what do we do? We are going from an all-out all the time, busy busy busy don't stop won't stop mentality to a simpler staying home being together. Now, when put that simply doesn't that sound nice. The thought of being together more eating together with no extras... But wait. NO EXTRA things to make the day fly by??? Yes, it's tough. I  have been a stay at home mom for almost 6 years and yes even for me (NO it is not like "oh you do this every day it's easy for you" stuff here) It is a change for our family too! Yes, I have been at home to create a 'what is normal for us' schedule (nothing crazy) but that has been upheaved too. It had been nice changing our daily schedule to "emma goes to school",  and extra things too. And now adding more learning at home for all is a change.. So, I get it I don't know how this would work if I needed to work from home and yes that seems like a very big challenge but I want to give just a few ideas on how to make little changes that over time might make this HOMEtime more manageable for all and ultimately more enjoyable to be together.

1. Mindset:
    First, everyone needs time to grieve what is changing and what we are having to change. Be angry, vent frustrations, cry a bit because of a chaotic scene at your home,  but don't let that define you or your family while we are simplifying. Take it to God! (I'm needing more reminder of that right now.) God has given you this family, your job, your life now for a reason. But things change, things get tough but God never changes. Remember that when all seems to be crashing down at home. (Already have had quite a few moments of chaos and crashing here.. God is still God. Also, remember God is giving us this time to quiet down and refocus on our family. I know we have a lot but when things are restricted see it as a blessing instead of panic. We are to stay at home and be together. Find ways to build that relationship little by little of just being together. This is not easy and will take time but with schools out for a while, I think we can rebuild time together as a family!

2. Small plans:
   Little changes add up, and do take time to become normal. Teachers call this "building stamina" If you thought teachers, just by being teachers can whip all kids into a schedule, certain time sections learning without hick-ups.. YOU ARE MISTAKEN. As a short-term retirement teacher, staying home until they go to school mom, I have been a teacher and worked with many wonderful teachers before and all "build stamina with all kids". You can't expect a kindergartener to read quietly for 30 mins on day One (or any day really) or that they can just go "play" by themselves all the time while your home working without maybe some ideas to help them be more creative.. START SMALL. Set a small part of your day (what works for you) to READ with them. Start with one or two books. Then ask them a question- What was your favorite part?.  School day one done.. Then as you get this into practice you both will start looking forward to it (they may even ask for it). SLOWLY add in things that work with your family to add more "family time" but don't feel that you are needing to replace the whole day with learning.. Kids need to play too- and learn how to. So setting up Choice play, the kids choose what to play by themselves for a set ( start with 10mins) Then after a few days you may notice that they can do it longer.. Building stamina... Hard while you are practicing it but so rewarding to see independence growing.. Families can do this together and set little steps to make this change doable and more manageable.. Get a timer and slow and steady add in a few things to help your kids be more independent and keep learning. More to come in other posts.
        SIDE NOTE: ( Or if you a former teacher and have been off the clock for a few years you dig out all the old stuff you have and create learning plans for your kids.. This is not for everyone and really not me but it got my teacher juices flowing which has been a blessing for me to divert my thinking too! I am weird and my husband just looks at me like "whoa slow down there girl" but also lets me re-dive into my passion and through that enjoy "school time" with my kids and he takes lots of fun unplanned games, rough play for me too! It's a team)

Ideas for Small plans: that promote learning and family time

 (Most ideas are for elementary but simple ideas work for big kids too!)

1.   Read 1-2 books with your kids- Ask what was your favorite part? (AND JUST LISTEN TO THEM) (if older read with your kids- then ask them what they read about)
       After that works - add a few different questions (and just listen)
• What would you change in the story?
• What was your favorite character? Why?
• What was the problem in the story and how was it solved?
2. Math Ideas:   Play a card game, color matching, uno, any game
3. Exercise:

              Dance party: turn on music and dance

              Workout videos for kids
              go outside
              Free play
              running around the house (even if it drives you nuts let a little chaos roam)

These things can happen at any time of the day. Fit it in and with some small change and patience you are doing good things.. Build stamina again for being present with your kids.. Small minutes a day will build a good relationship again and some sanity.. 

More ideas to come!