Staying At Home With Children During Quarantine
We cannot deny that although we witnessed the spread of the virus to other parts of the world or country, we never thought it could reach us. The events that occur seem distant until, unfortunately, they do not affect us in the first person. The new Coronavirus has caused a pandemic that has affected us all, which is why many parents have found themselves having to stay at home with their children during quarantine.
Thousands of people are infected every day because they do not take the necessary preventive measures, and hundreds die a few days later. This virus, which the first days it appeared had not aroused great concern, has now turned into a real threat that generates anguish, malaise, fear and loneliness.
It is only in these cases that people realize the really important things in life, which are two: family and health. Nothing is more important and you have to take care of it every day to be able to live in full happiness.
Many families feel overwhelmed by the closure of schools, which could last indefinitely until the situation returns to normal. And it is for this reason that families stop knowing life as they had lived it up to now and must reorganize themselves to better face the days and be of support to their children.
As a result, we offer some guidelines below for parents who need to stay at home with their children during quarantine. The aim is to make the situation as pleasant as possible.
Guidelines for staying at home with children during COVID-19 quarantine
First of all, during the confinement at home, children must be guaranteed their routine at all times. The little ones need to know that their days are organized, so will their minds.
Routines can take the form of schedules that older children can establish with the help of their parents; for the little ones, on the other hand, the timetables can be accompanied by drawings so that they understand what is happening at all times.
In the morning, for example, children can try to follow the school timetable as much as possible, doing homework sent by the school every morning; with fixed times for breakfast, lunch, snack, etc.
Upon awakening and in the morning
When they wake up, children need to have breakfast, wash, wear comfortable clothes to stay indoors, and then sit down to do their homework. With the little ones it is possible to establish a routine of reading, games, painting, dancing … Each routine must be adapted not only to the age of the child, but also to his interests and the obligations he must respect.
Staying at home with the children: what to do in the middle of the morning or before lunch
After studying, children can help with housework depending on their physical abilities. They can even help prepare lunch. And still tidying up their bedroom, preparing some games for the afternoon …
After lunch
Once lunch is over, tranquility must invade all homes with a nap for younger children and more relaxing activities for older ones who don’t want to take a nap. Rest is also important when you are indoors all day.
The afternoon at home during the Coronavirus quarantine
The afternoon is the time for family games, to do physical activity at home with exercises based on the physical abilities of children. In this way, the whole family moves and burns off the extra energies that accumulate staying in the house.
You can also take advantage of it to carry out all those activities that you normally cannot dedicate yourself to due to lack of time, such as pulling out board games or arranging wardrobes, cleaning the refrigerator… But all in the family.
Before dinner and at dinner time
Before having dinner, you have to respect the usual routine: wash yourself, put on your pajamas, help with dinner, spend a few minutes in front of the television to rest and enjoy time together with the family.
It is a moment of reflection, in which to understand what has been done well during the day and what can be improved the following day. Thinking about the emotions this causes is a good idea to avoid anxiety. You can also opt for a diary of the emotions of the whole family.
After dinner, it’s time to go to sleep. Parents can take advantage of this moment of silence at home to find themselves as a couple and not allow the possible anxiety dictated by the circumstances to get the better of them. It is a moment of reflection, of union and to understand that we are one.
Each of us is part of a whole and we must do our part so that the confinement does not last more than the two weeks established for now. Remember that your emotions and your stability are essential for your children to be well, and daily flexibility is essential in this regard.
