COVID outbreak has tested countries and governments world over to their limits. Schools are closed and parents are working from home. Most parents are scratching their heads are looking for revelation on how to deal with their children. Young children are easier to deal with because they can be contained using mundane games. But still, Mummy and Daddy are home and the children will need some attention. The older children will keep themselves busy but they can still be mainstreamed in the family with some creativity.
Engaging the children doesn’t have to be expensive. One can integrate simple things in life to keep the family going at this time when we are all together for a long time.
Here are seven simple ways of keeping your children busy. Note that you have to try what is appropriate for your children depending on their age.
- Spare some attention for your children. You are still working, don’t forget the children need some of your attention too. Spare time and if they are older and locked in the bedroom, open their door regularly and chat them up. It could be ten minutes or even five. Just open the door and find out if they have woken up. Don’t linger in their room like a policeman. Just ask simple questions while your eyes move rapidly around the room to see if there is anything suspicious in the room. A cigarette butt or a bottle of the spirit might tell you they are up to no good otherwise chat them up and go out of the room. If you note clothes lying on the floor advise them to pick them and put them in an appropriate place. Younger children, you will notice they need more time and will want to hang around you. Give them something to do for example ask them to draw and color items. As they do such you will get time to work.
- Answer their questions Children are very inquisitive. The young ones will ask questions on Corona Virus and work from home. Give them age-appropriate answers. Don’t tell them they can’t understand. Reply to their queries and still insist on them to give you time to work. Don’t send them to the maid. There is a reason they came to you. Maybe they just want to be close to you. The older ones will be working to squeeze some money to buy airtime and chew gums (why do they love to chew so much). Don’t be too rigid. Release some change and if you can’t afford to explain to them. I have noted children understand. My eight years old son will ask, “Mum when you get money will you buy for me….” Meaning he understands I don’t have endless money.
- Play simple games Some interactive games such as skipping rope, dancing, and exercising in the house. Put some music on and dance to the moves. Let your guard down and laugh and joke with the children. if You can only skip the rope three times, do the three and laugh with the children when they laugh at you. Don’t be so rigid. Just relax and be happy that you are all healthy. If you have a scrabble board or a chessboard, you can also use them with the older children. Ask the children for other innovative games you can play and they will teach you some.
- Allow the older children to do something new You can ask them to come up with recipes and cook something new. It doesn’t have to be expensive. You can suggest for them to try a new way such as deep frying sweet potatoes. You will be surprised at how innovative the older children. Once they go to the kitchen, stop fretting just let them be. The first day they won’t cook so well but with time they will be better cooks than you. Correct them kindly if they go wrong and you find that they will remember the instructions tomorrow.
- Go for walks as a family particularly in the evening. You will breathe fresh air and also have time to stretch after being on the keyboard for hours. You will note the young children will walk with you while the teenagers will either walk ahead or behind you. Let them be, just do your thing. Ensure they have their face mask on and they are also keeping social distance as they walk.
- Teach them basics Children will be very excited if you can teach them something basic now that you have a lot of time in your hands. Teach them riding a bicycle, driving a car, or repairing a roof. All this can be should be done with utmost care to ensure the safety of everyone. Explain to the children the importance of taking care while riding a bicycle or driving a car. Let them understand the safety measures they should take. By the time life goes back to normal and they can be taken to driving school, they will have understood about cars. For bicycles to ensure you guide the children properly to observe traffic rules and to always stay safe. I can assure you will have their undivided attention in all these.
- Establish a routine way of doing things in the home. Let the children know that after meals they should wash the utensils. Let the children know their roles in daily chores around the house. Ensure they are washing their clothes and are following basic hygiene such as taking a shower. Don’t assume that they will do the correct thing. Be vigilant even as you continue with your work. Remember mostly the children are in school and have the teachers to police them. This time it is your responsibility to make sure everything is working. For the young children give them simple chores in the house such as arranging their toys and sweeping the compound. The young children may not do it well but they will be busy.
- Pray together. Teach your children to pray during this difficult time. As much as the scientists are doing their best to hunt for the Corona Virus cure, it is important to ask God to intervene for the world to help us get through this Virus. These are difficult time and you must allow the children to know the seriousness of the situation. Teach them to wash their hands thoroughly with soap, keep social distance, and wear a face mask every time they go out. Teach them the importance of staying home because you may not know who they will interact with when they go out to play. Let us all keep safe of COVID 19.