SELF-CARE TIP:
Choose connection and playfulness over getting it all done. Realize that with the load you are being asked to carry, no one can be perfect. Don't worry if your home is messier than normal or if you aren't meeting the schedule homeschooling an older child. Cut yourself some slack and be sure to snuggle (with your partner too) as cuddling releases Oxytocin which calms you down and helps you better handle stress! Teach your child something about one of your hobbies, play some silly games, put on your favorite music and try to lighten the mood as much as possible. What they will remember most is not the details of the Coronavirus, but how their home felt during this time. Let’s try to make it, as much as we can, a happy one.
PARENTING TIP:
And speaking of the Coronavirus. It is actually a good idea to speak of it. If you're child is over 18months they've heard it come up in enough conversations or accidental news clips that they now now the word. If you don't tell them what it is, they will often make their own conclusions, and sometimes these are worse than what is real. So while you want to protect them from the news media and too much information, when they ask why they can't see a friend or go to the playground tell them simply, "The playground is closed because there is a virus called Coronavirus that makes people sick and it is really easy to catch from others. Most people that get it will be fine, it will be like a cold or a cough, but some people could get very sick. (Omit that sentence for children under 3). We are trying to keep our community safe by not spreading the coronavirus around. This means we stay away from places like parks for awhile." Shorten for younger children. Here are some more excellent resources - article from PBS here. Even better, to hear a recorded webinar on the topic try local child psychologist Nina Kaiser’s wonderful resource for parents here.
NATURE LOCATION SUGGESTION:
Goat Hill. For a quick walk, with sweeping views and a beautiful tree to sit under-try this little outcrop above Noe Valley. The winding trail makes a perfect toddler size hike.
INDOOR ACTIVITY:
Just like we talked about toddlers who are spending more time indoors needing more proprioceptive (muscle and joint) input yesterday, we are bringing you another fun proprioceptive activity of pulling heavy things! But that stored up food to good use and get your toddler to pull and push it around the house. You can load up a box, and a rope and see what happens. Toddlers love to pull and push things and these heavy jobs create a calming effect that can last for up to 20 minutes each day!