SELF-LOVE: Accept your messy house! Everyone's lives have been turned upside down in the past month. Your house probably has as well. Stick to the schedule blocking so you don’t get sucked into bottomless task of cleaning the house when you’re meant to be working or playing with the kids. Don’t forget the double duty benefits of incorporating your kids into housecleaning tasks! Do the best you can, but try not to let it get to you. As one great benefit of SIP, no one's coming over to see it!
PARENTING TIP: Playful Parenting! During this time, adding a bit of playfulness can be just the ticket to de-stress and change up the mood for all. Declare a picnic dinner on the dining room floor, serve “snacks for dinner” (think veggies, cold meats, baguettes and fancy cheese), declare a flash dance party before lunch, or let the kids bathe in their swimsuits and goggles!
INDOOR ACTIVITY: Literacy: the sounds in my name! Write your child’s name acrostically and then together think of all the words they can think of for each letter sound. We wrote ours on our Kitchen chalkboard and Patrick keeps thinking of new words to add each day!
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY: "Potions Lab" - This can change based on your child's age. Find cool shaped bottles, measuring cups, bowls, and create a master mixing lab play space. Older children can enjoy color tablets (foot coloring), etc. for mixing colors, but you might want to limit toddlers to water since it can get messy. Other ideas include clear plastic egg cartons for mixing, turkey basters, pipettes, and funnels. You'll be amazed at how different ages approach this, and how much concentration they'll give to this activity.