How would you describe life before the pandemic, self-isolation, quarantine… or as I like to call it ‘the great pause?’ The words that come to mind for me are: busy, rush, keep up with the jones, hectic, exhausting, unbalanced.
The reality is, these words relate to a world that is unsustainable. We have become a society that rarely takes a moment to pause… be mindful… sit in nature and just breathe.
Well guess what? Mother Nature is working hard to find an equilibrium, not just in nature through reduced emissions, but at home; we are forced to slow down, forced to look inward to find balance.
So with that said, here is what I am observing, in my life, on social media and from friends. This may very well be the most memorable time for both you and your children.
Strengthening Sibling Bonds
Unless you are a parent of a singleton (god bless your brave souls), you may have noticed sibling bonds strengthening during this time. When kids can’t have play dates with their peers, they realize they better get good fast at playing together.
Kids are moving from Peer focused to Parent focused
Hey, with peers physically out of the picture, you officially have more influence then while they were in school. What a fantastic opportunity to reinforce the parent-child relationship. Ultimately, parents and healthy adults need to be the main influence in children’s lives.
Unfortunately, aspects of our culture has led to “the increasing bonding of our children with their peers” and the unfortunate dismantling of “parental authority” and “parental love”- According to Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Mate in their eye opening book ‘Hold on to your Kids.’
Kids are getting bored
Boredom houses creativity. Our minds become alive once we allow them to become bored. Allowing kids to get bored right now may lead to some pretty fabulous crafts, imaginary adventures, songs, dance and so much more. And if you are hearing the words, “Mom, I’m bored” 62 times in one day… make sure you have lots of chores on hand, they will surely find something else to do, very quickly.
Kids are learning about their parents
I have noticed more sharing of stories and hidden talents during this time. My daughter recently found out I’m a half decent basketball player and can spin a basketball on my finger like I’m straight outta the Harlem Globetrotters.
What is your hidden talent that you never showed your kids? Is it playing guitar… or singing… or painting… or dancing… or coming up with witty and timely jokes at the dinner table?
Parents are becoming teachers
Nope, I’m not talking about teaching a curriculum sent by your child’s teacher that forces us all to take a good hard look at our math skills.
I’m talking about teaching our kids the things we loved when we were their age… but maybe forgot about. Like Cats Cradle (remember that string hand game you played with your friends in elementary school), or the origami fortune teller you could pinch in between your fingers and discover answers to your 8 year old questions… or maybe how to plant a garden, or how to make sour dough bread.
Parents are creating at-home experiences
Have you seen the videos on facebook of parents creating some cool activities at home with their kiddos. I am definitely not in this category of greatness, but I think it is worth highlighting. Check out some of these inspiring videos and stories, that I know for sure are going to create lifelong memories for the kids involved.
Parent creates a slide out of boxes
Dad creates back yard ski hill
Mom recreates iconic photos with her daughters
Summary
Okay, I know there will be days when: Siblings fight, parents are exhausted, screen time is our saviour, shit just hits the f-ing fan. These times are hard and challenging and are testing us as parents in some pretty insane ways. BUT…you guys, there is some serious good coming out of it too.
When this ‘great pause,’ ‘isolation,’ ‘quarantine’ or whatever you want to call it, comes to an end, what experiences and gifts will you keep from this time? What memories are you going to create? And what SHIT are you going to let go of from the time before?
Self reflection:
- What is my favorite memory since the start of the pandemic?
- What talent or stories have I shared with my kids?
- What will I let go of from my life before the pandemic?
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