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Overcome the challenges of Social Isolation
This 7-step guide has been developed to help you the parent to take back control during the Challenges of COVID 19 and embrace family life. It aims to help you to identify and Explore creativity to help you overcome the parenting challenges of Social Distancing and Self Isolation.
· The latest challenges as a parent working from home and caring for children can create unwanted stress and impact on a parent's ability to juggle the art of finding a balance between work and play. Being able to create positive changes that will help you to maintain control of the situation does not have to be a huge quest. Explore your creative mind and embrace it and put your ideas and skills into action.
· Be creative with your time - Introduce a fun and energising daily routine for you and your child to reduce the risks of boredom setting in, and to deter unwanted meltdowns from your child when you need to focus on your work tasks. Change the way your Child responds to Educational activities. This could include a short exercise session, a music lesson, cookery lesson, Encourage children and Teens to learn a new skill, such as playing an instrument, learning magic tricks, or exploring creative skills - painting and drawing, re-designing their own bedroom decor; Introduce activities that will encourage fun and laughter and make happy memories in the process to help you all get through each day.
· Use the time to express your own artistic skills. Create and write a fantasy story which reflects on you and your child’s character and personality. This is a good opportunity to explore your child’s imagination and have fun whilst doing it!
· Start writing a daily journal - Encourage your child to write a summary of of their day it will give your children and your grandchildren something to remember when they grow up!
· Write your thoughts down. turn these into inspirational poems/songs to help you to create a positive outcome.
· Encourage your child to express their artistic skills. help them to use their imagination and get them to paint/draw the view from your garden or the outside space of your apartment/flat. They may even surprise you with their hidden talent! – this can also be very therapeutic; it will also encourage your children to put their creativity to the test. (have a mock Art competitionbetween your children to help to pass the time in the day, and make it fun – offer a star prize (E.G a picture frame to put the artistic work on display) and a fun runner up prize.
Opportunities
· Introduce a regular short time period in the day that will provide you with the opportunity to share quality family time together. Do you have a paved garden? Outside activities from the good old days may have become a thing of the past in the last few decades for some families, however why not teach your children how you used to play when you were growing up? Try playing Hopscotch, Skipping, Kerby, Hoola-Hooping or competing each other in a Marbles game. There are a wide variety of old school outside activities that can be introduced to your children and take parents back to their youth! Don’t be afraid to look silly and have fun – Explore and try weird and wacky activities to deter the children from sitting on the computer all day whilst you work and encourage them to engage in light physical exercise.
·interactive play/Life skills Dig out those old family board games from the loft, playing Cards, dominoes, or get the kids involved in a spot of baking, or create a bird table in the garden.
Dress Up/Role play have a clear out of old clothes or items you no longer use (try introducing some fun and laughter into the activity - mimic a fashion parade and take photos of each other dressing up)
·Social /personal interests Introduce an interest or hobby you or your child always wanted to do and never got round to exploring before - you never know it may be the start of a shared interest for you and your child that could prove beneficial for you both.
·written communication skills -Introduce letter writing to your child - encourage them to use the time to connect with people who you/they have not seen for a while by writing them a letter, or making them a decorated card.
Childcare Group- Set uop a group between your friends and neighbours/parents who you trust and are familiar with who may be intersted in being part of a childcare group - giving each other a few hours space by sharing the care of each other's child, your child will benefit from the social interaction and make friends too.
Self Care and Exercise
1 Hour per day
· Participate in 30 minutes of exercise, or if you live in a flat/apartment go for a walk.
· There are a variety of Live exercise sessions to choose from online. Get active and participate in an online exercise session.
· Try to grab 1 hour of personal time to pamper yourself and enjoy some personal space. When the children are in bed, whilst they are having their own personal time.
· Use the time to spend with your partner and remind each other of the special qualities that you initially both fell in love with; re-ignite the flame that you had, rather than let it burn out completely and cherish the togetherness.
Finally not forgetting you, the parents….Take some time to maintain your own emotional well-being
9 Minutes
· Introduce a short relaxation exercise or meditation for at least 9 minutes in the morning and if possible, also in the evening. It may not seem much time, but it will help you to relax your mind, maintain your mental health and reduce your anxiety.
· Aim to achieve up to 9 hours sleep/rest per night to keep your body energised. If you find this difficult, listen to some calming music to help you relax, read a book or indulge in a relaxing bath before going to sleep or spend some quality alone time with your partner once the kids are settled into bed.
· Aim to put aside 9 minutes every morning or evening to reflect on your gratitude, love, forgiveness and change in your life. Although you are experiencing a difficult period, reflect on this and think about what you are grateful for each day, it could be something good that’s happened to you, that you are thankful for, what do you have that others haven’t got or achieved, what you will change to make your future better, for you as an individual and for your family.
For more information and advice on any parenting issues, Feel free to visit our facebook page:
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