SELF LOVE*: What are your coping strategies? I’ve been talking to lots of parents through our support groups, virtual workshops and private consults. One thing seems fairly consistent across all parents everywhere who are sheltering in place-there are good days, and then there are the bad ones. The days where we want to fall upon our beds, and ask someone to wake us up when it is all over. I’ve had days like this too. Stop for a moment and try to identify what helps you in that moment? Is it actually locking the door and taking a nap and seeing if you wake up a little more refreshed? Is it calling an old friend, a sister, brother or maybe your mother? Is it busting out a journal and writing out your thoughts and feelings? Is it meditation, prayer or another spiritual practice? Is it remembering two things you did well that day? Is it writing down three things you're grateful for? Is it playing your favorite music from high school? It’s totally OK and normal to wallow for a little bit, but figure out your go-to’s for getting yourself back out of your funk. Chances are, you’re going to need them.
PARENTING TIP: Your Environment is Your Third Parent: In teaching we say from the Reggio Emilia philosophy "environment is your third teacher." This means that with two teachers, we set up the environment to work for us, not against us, sometimes called a "yes" environment. With our children spending so much more time at home, it is essential we take away any environmental problems that may be triggering us. Remove the thing they keep dumping all over the floor, remove the thing they're using to bang on the coffee table with, put things out of sight and reach that you don't want them to have. The extra effort of "toddler or preschool proofing" your space will certainly pay off!
INDOOR ACTIVITY: Say thank you to your garbage man, mail person, food and package delivery folks. Discuss how everyone has an important job, especially now. Discuss with your child what the job entails and work together to write a thank you card or make a sign for your window. The next time they come place it outside and wave from the windows to say thank you. Or if this seems to overwhelming-just open a window and wave hello! It could be the highlight of the day!
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY: Worm hunt! Don’t let the rainy/cloudy days stop you! Put on a few extra layers and you may just have the best walk of the week! Bring a sandbox shovel and find some soft dirt in a local park-you shouldn’t have to dig down too far to find a worm!
*officially changing this category to Self-Love as Self-Care sounds like something we're supposed to be doing, an none of us need one more thing we're failing at!"