HELP!!! The kids are home all day, our normal routine is nonexistent, we can’t go out, and I am now in charge of homeschooling my kids!!!! 
Parents if you are feeling stressed out with all the new changes to “normal,” pause for a minute, take a deep breath, and know we are all in this together. Remember, our children are looking to the adults around them to keep calm and try to embrace the time we have together as a family. When we are on the other side of this pandemic, we will be back to “normal” with social commitments, playdates, extracurricular/sports activities, school, church, volunteering, and all the things in life that keep us Busy!!! Here are some fun/creative activities you can do as a family, while we have this time to focus on our family.
- Family Art Show
Have each member of the family create a piece of art (that means Mom/Dad too). This could be done with crayons, paint, playdough, legos, instrument, etc. After dinner, have each artist set up their art in different parts of the house, and as a family walk around and see everyone’s artistic creation.
- Family Movie/ Game Night
As a family decide on a board game or movie and set up to have some fun! If you choose a movie, pop some popcorn or get your favorite snack to watch the movie. If it is a board game night, have a special incentive for the winner of the game, such as, extra video time or extended bedtime.
- Family Spa Night
The family decides on a room in the house to transform into a spa….turn the lights down, play relaxing music, bring in scented candles or regular candles, have everyone in the family get into pj’s or comfy clothing. Now the Spa is created!!!! Have each member of the family give a hand/foot/neck massage to another family member (for younger kids set a timer for a few minutes for older kids set a timer for 10 minutes) For the ladies in the family, perhaps give each other a mani/pedi. Have fun and spend a few minutes as a family and relax!!!!!
- Family Exercise Night
As a family come up with a plan to get out and off the cough and exercise. This could be simple like taking a walk around the neighborhood, riding your bike/scooter, playing in the backyard together, (like tag, blowing bubbles in the backyard, practicing catching/throwing a ball, etc.)
- Family Dinner Night
As a family, decide on a dinner that everyone enjoys and have each family member participate in some part of preparing the meal (of course supervised by Mom/Dad). Some younger family members could mix/stir or bring ingredients to be prepared and older family members could learn to cook on the stove. If the weather is nice, set up a family picnic outside to enjoy the meal and have a change of scenery.
Written by: Lynda Vlattas, LPC, LMFT, – Therapist – San Antonio location