You’re home with the kids for the foreseeable future and wondering how you’re going to cope: will they keep up on schoolwork? Will you be able to get any work done? Will you all go stir-crazy?

The key to thriving in this uncertain situation is how you frame it, says Rana Chudnofsky, MEd, director of BHI’s Resilient Youth program.

“We’re being given the unexpected gift of time by having our children at home,” Chudnofsky says.  “This is also a time of appreciation: aren’t we lucky to be able to be home together. Talk about and appreciate the people who are working every day – first responders, medical professionals, the people at the grocery story and the mail carrier.  We need to remind ourselves how lucky we are to have these people here to support us.”

Being home together can be challenging and overwhelming since we are used to highly scheduled lives, but we can find gratifying ways to be together on a day-to-day basis.

Chudnofsky offers some ideas:

1. It is important to give your children time to talk about their feelings, and really listen.
2. Remain optimistic. Children sense when we are anxious, so try to remain balanced in your own body and mind and your children will learn by example.
3. Limit technology. Instead of directing children to technology, we have the opportunity to spend mindful time with them and offer new opportunities for learning. Instead of being too busy to be present for our children, we have the luxury of time to create shared learning opportunities with a home schedule.
4. Maintain a level of normalcy and make time for creativity. We know that most children do better with structure. Perhaps we can create a daily schedule that includes structure as well as time for imagination and play.
5. Stay connected. Technology can provide ways to maintain and strengthen relationships with family and friends near and far. You can make phone calls, set up group chats, text supportive messages, send photos and make cards to mail.

This is also an opportunity to learn about caring for community. Who lives in your area? Are there any elderly people that are alone who might need a daily check-in call? Are there any people dealing with illness in your neighborhood who can use a supportive phone call? How well do you know your cousins? This could be a good time to get to know your extended family, or perhaps you can delve into your genealogy.

Things families can do together:

• Create a jar that holds words of thankfulness. Each family member writes something they are thankful for and puts it in the jar to read at a later date.
• Create a family meditation and a special place that you are all enjoy together. For example, if you all enjoy going to the ocean and have a favorite place, create a relaxing meditation where you are together, relaxed and happy in this special place.
• Enjoy a game of charades.
• Getting outside for fresh air and sunshine
• Read a book together.
• Create a story together.
• Cook together. (You can make it both a math and science lesson!)
• Arrange video play dates to connect with day care and school friends

For older kids

• They can journal about this time.
• Map out a trip in your mind.
• Read a book and then watch the movie and compare it.
• Explore your local library website with your child.
• Explore on-line events.
• Enjoy audible books with children of all ages.

“This Coronavirus can give us a great opportunity stop, pause and enjoy the people we have in our lives. If we look at this as an opportunity, we can optimize our experiences and enjoy one another,” Chudnofsky said.