Almost all Ontario families are now locked in at-home with their kids at home during this pandemic. They survived March Break together, but now what? And for how long?
At Benmor Family Law Group, we continue to counsel our clients with tips and tools to survive self-isolation to maintain safe, calm and peaceful family life. We have compiled a list of activities that parents and children can do at home – whatever the parenting arrangements are. These will help foster better parental relationships with kids at home during this pandemic.
Fun Activities you can do with your kids
Arts & Crafts
Dollarama is open. It stocks tons of arts and crafts. Help your children create their personalized Thank You Cards to all local health-care workers, firefighters, police and even those who are in hospitals that cannot have their family members visit them during Covid-19. This will teach your children compassion and gratitude, values that are integral in every family.
Family Walks
Slow down and smell the roses. Literally. When was the last time that you asked your children to smell a flower or marvel at a leaf. We all need to appreciate the little things as a family, but have been too busy to do in the hustle and bustle of regular pre-COVID life. Explore nature together. This will teach your children that fun is free, love is unconditional and, no matter what the crisis is, you are together as a family. Just remember to keep a safe distance from other people and do not use playgrounds.
Family Dinners Around the Globe
Who doesn’t love Taco Tuesdays or Pizza Sundays or Pho Fridays? Invite your friends and family to join you as you prepare (and eat) dinner in different homes at the same time. Use Skype, Zoom, WhatApp, FaceTime or any other video-call technology to schedule your Taco party with other families and their children. Dress up, decorate your home and THROW A FIESTA. Try different cuisines from around the world. Ask your children for their favourite meal. This will teach your children to be curious and discover the ethnic diversity in our multicultural community, while wait out Covid.
Whatever you do, it is critical that both parents encourage stability, safety and now, more than ever, unconditional love (+ fun) in both homes.