These are unusual times indeed. Many parents are now working from home as their children are learning remotely as well. Other parents are considered essential and risking their health to work in grocery stores,  healthcare, or critical businesses still open during the crisis. How can you maintain any sense of normalcy for your children when you are uncertain about your own day-to-day experience? 

We want to help. Ladybug for Girls is figuring this out each day, just like you are, but we want our families to know we are a resource. 

Here are some suggestions we have for sheltering in place with your girls. 

Keep Routines

We completely understand and recognize that this will be difficult as everyone is thrown into this unknown experience. As much as you can, keep your routines. 

• Wake up at your usual time 
• Get ready as you would for a normal day
• Eat lunch at the same time

Depending on the age of your child, establish times for school work and studying. This will also help you focus on your work at home. 

But know that parents all over the country are sharing this experience right now, so don’t beat yourself up if something doesn’t go according to plan. Routines are important, but perfection isn’t necessary. Be gentle with yourself and your kids. 

Schedule Recess and Breaks

So many of us have fallen into a productivity trap while sheltering in place. We feel, and are sometimes made to feel, that if we take a break while working from home we must be slacking. But breaks are good for us. They’re essential for positive mental health. 

Your kids need breaks, too. And, as much as possible, we need to spend time outside to get fresh air and sunshine. Physical exercise, whether formal or just a walk around the block, will help ease tension and keep us healthy. Just maintain the safe 6-foot distance from others and make sure your children do as well. As much as they want to, they can’t play with anyone who isn’t a part of their family unit in the home. 

Use Technology Wisely 

So much of our new normal right now is predicated on access to technology. Imagine what life would have been like during the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1918 and 1919 when this kind of connection wasn’t even imagined. Today, we can still be in touch with friends and family near and far through the use of video conferencing and social media. 

But too much screen time can also be detrimental to developing minds. Your kids may be required to spend some time teleconferencing for classes, but they should also spend time away from the screens to interact with the family or engage in other activities. 

Embrace Distance Learning

No one, especially young children, expected to be in a position where classes would be handled 100% online. And know that the stress you feel as a parent is also being felt by teachers who want nothing more than to be back in the classroom with their students. 

As much as possible, engage with your kid’s teachers to facilitate learning at home. They understand you’re also trying to handle the household and do your job, so partner with them to provide the best learning experience in this situation. 

Create a Daily Meal Plan 

We know you may not be eating as well or even as regularly as you would normally. That’s normal in times of stress. We also recognize that the food you’ve been able to buy may not be the food you would prefer. This is why we encourage families to make a daily meal plan to help you use the ingredients you have on hand in a smart way. 

Trying to maintain a healthy diet will be critical in the coming weeks. As much as you can, continue to buy fresh vegetables and proteins at the store. Keep some staples on hand as well such as brown rice or whole-grain pasta so you can build a complete meal. Don’t rely on snacks too much, even if snacking feels good in stressful times. Replace that urge with something productive like yoga, meditation, a creative project, or household chores. 

Be Open and Honest as Age-Appropriate 

Know that your children are looking to you for answers right now. And we completely understand that things are confusing, even for the most put-together adults. As you’re discussing the situation with your children, be as open and honest as possible relative to their age. 

Older children and teenagers may have a lot of questions that you don’t have answers to. Access responsible news sources together to find out details that can help keep you all informed. Parse the information for younger children so they understand the urgency but aren’t needlessly anxious. 

While the situation is changing daily, we want you to feel comfortable reaching out to us at Ladybug for Girls for more information. We encourage you to download our FREE Parent Guide for COVID-19. We hope that you and your family stay safe and healthy as we work together to weather the storm