Anupreet Singh
The current coronavirus pandemic has suspended all from doing the daily schedules and chores performed, offices got barred, schools been closed, parks gone deserted, working remotely and physical distancing. A lot to navigate all, but in particular parents, in quarantine all being occlude at home, the entire family teamed up together in almost all the chores. Parents being the caregivers have got their responsibilities intensified.
We are so used to living in the fast track lane, that slowing down was not considered an option. It was seen as a punishment. Humanity is given a time-out and put in the naughty corner indefinitely. We were trying to get the time to run as fast as we could. The truth is, time ran its own sweet languorous course, we were left exasperated, exhausted.
Some of the families aren’t getting paid off as there is no work. Worried about money? It is normal to feel stressed and overwhelmed. But the current scenario is such, that maximum of the families are going through the same situation, but instead of piling up the problems lets see what can be fixed up, where and how. It’s not entirely all negative, we can figure out what best we can take out of it. School shutdown is also a chance to make better relationships with our children and teenagers. One-on-One time is free and fun. It makes children feel loved and secure and shows them that they are important.
You’re also allowed to go easy on the rules. Have a picnic on the living room floor. Let the toys take over the house. Gather up your little people to snuggle and look at family pictures. Switch up your schedule if you feel like it. (Parent hack from the front lines: Try an afternoon bath-time. Turn down the lights and make it cozy. It’ll be relaxing for you and help the kids drop off into a solid nap afterward.)
It‘s hard to feel positive when our kids or teenagers are driving us crazy. We often end up saying “Stop doing that!”. But children are much more likely to do what we ask if we give them positive instructions and lots of praise for what they do right
Kids are keen observers, explain to them in age-appropriate language what COVID-19 is and what is happening around the world. Assure them that they are safe and everyone needs to take precautions. I find solution-oriented conversations more productive when talking to kids. Instead of just informing them that hands need to be washed and we cannot go out of the house, ask them what measures they think we all can take besides the above-mentioned ones. You would be surprised at the creativity and the consequent cooperation.
The step taken here by the educational institutions for providing online lessons to wind curriculum in time, is highly appropriate. It’s a new concept for the students to stay connected with their ongoing studies as well as their teachers and classmates.
We can give them numerous tasks, involve them in household chores in a manipulative way. We can Inculcate empathy, positive attitude towards life, the habit of reading, hygiene, take blessings of the elders, learn something new daily, time management, encourage family bonding, setting up ground strong rules and so on. The list is endless, so its better if this time amidst quarantine be utilized positively instead of getting horrified with the current pandemic scenario.
We are doing better now. I choose the word ‘better’ with confidence, humility, acceptance and the hope that the situation will soon improve. We would soon be hanging down the monkey bars at the playground we so dearly miss, play hide-and-go-seek with our friends, and continue our education with our favorite teachers. Till then, here is what has worked for our family.