Fun Activities During the Pandemic

At first everyday could have felt like a nightmare during the pandemic, but it was not. I was trapped in the moment of check my social media, write about my sadness, and post it for the world to see. It all started changing after my 35th birthday, I decided being sad about aging, living through the pandemic, and screaming inside, "let me out of here, I cannot do this," was not the way. But still I could not quit thinking, "this is not fair, all my hopes, all my dream, all my aspirations were suddenly shut down". I was no longer able to sing anymore, unless I was in the shower (venues shut down for artists). I was unable to find child care, had to move in with my family, and start all over again! Life had really hit me hard, until I sought help from the very family I had forgotten so to speak. The material world of, "be selfish, do it yourself, you don't need anyone," demanded me to forget the ones who I loved still, who I still needed, it happened so many years ago, long before the pandemic. And I know it happened to so many other people just like me. All though I was not without income, my life took a very big change and I felt like giving up. I even had moments questioning how my emotions were spiraling downward and while having kids, "parents just can't do that".

I started slowly trying to remind myself of ways as a kid that I found happiness, without even trying too hard, with little to nothing for entertainment, no internet, no social media, and not too many friends. All of this happiness I still found a lot of even though I was raised by my single mother and finances always seemed to be a struggle. When all I wanted as a kid was to become something great and help my family be great. I thought back to how mom was creative during her struggles. She would teach me how to garden, sew, read with me, order from the JC Penny Catalogue; and how she even used all her income aside from bills to put my sisters and I into a dance school. She didn't have to do much, but give me attention, love, play with me and I was happy. There was not the focus on technology back then, it was all hard work, effort, learning, spending time with my mom and siblings, and having fun!

In my thoughts I quickly diverted them, and I started to think how the pandemic was affecting me and my kids today, and how I could like mom, create fun activities, despite moments of financial hardship, and being a single mom myself. Here is a list of some things, when you are feeling like being a mom is the hardest thing in the world:

1. Make everything feel like a game instead of a chore.

2. Invest in an IPAD. I know, we didn't have internet when I was a kid, but we do now! This tool can aid in your child s education for parts of the day and whenever you might need a few minutes to distract them while you are busy. I recommend only using educational tools on these devices and creating parental controls so as to keep your children safe from negative searches and websites. Khan Academy has a really fabulous children's program that really uses great techniques to teach your children and improve their future! It is one of my favorites!

3. Depending on the age, you can use bored games and baby games for the little ones to also keep them distracted. Most parents do this already, but these kinds of things never go out of style and your children will get excited if you encourage them to pick them up and make it a game so when they go back in their rooms it feels new and ready to be played in again! Then repeat the whole thing multiple times in a week! I know lots of cleaning, but if you include your kids they will also be learning how to clean!

4. Pull out the cook books and make recipes the kids can get involved in making! The kids really love this in our household! I think their favorite thing to make is play do. Again, everything is learning when we are young, we as parents can just trick the kids into having fun in each activity and chore we do throughout the day. Having the kids help out can also help you in teaching them because they will repeat slowly everything they learn! I realize getting them more involved allowed for them to not be so whiny and it helped my stress decrease knowing we were doing things together and they helped make it easier!

5. Roller skates are still in and are so much fun. We always in my family try to get the kids all roller skating early on in life. It helps with their coordination, strength, and balance. Teaching these old ways of having fun into days modern times, can really help moms to forget or at least ease their minds that we are in a pandemic.

6. Writing, no matter what age is good and fun thing to do on the daily. Get your kids writing, even if they are beginners teaching them with sidewalk chalk how to write letter is a fund activity with learning as the ultimate goal.

7. Get into indoor and outdoor sports. I got an Adjustable Soccer ball Kick Trainer Belt and a soccer ball and I let my older kid train for as long as he wants. These Kick Trainer Belts are a low cost and a fun activity to do and quite entertaining for kids. The best part of this is that you can use them indoors and outdoors. Pick your kids favorite sports you can do at home indoors or outdoors, this will help you during the moments of feeling down. Get that energy moving, and follow it with a good meal and some smoothies you and the kids make together.

8. Download work out videos from the internet to do at home with your children. This is one of the best activities to do because you as a parent may want to get more fit, and families that work out together, they say, stay together! The kids love every morning we workout together! I think you could have the same positive outcome if able to fit this into your morning, or whatever time you find suits you!

9. Turn up the music and dance! Oh how I love to dance and sing with my kids it it the best feeling of happiness I think we have together at home. Dancing has always been my life, and I wanted my kids to have it too. If you aren't into dancing, you could try other stretch routines like Yoga, or Pilates to music and that really is a treat for you and the kids!

10. Make an obstacle course out of pillows, toys, a kids trampoline, and virtually anything safe for the kids to jump over. If that doesn't work, my kids always like making tents out of blankets and pillows and playing hide n seek inside.

In conclusion, I hope you all love this list of fun activities during the pandemic; and these activities get you up moving and having a great time with your kids while you are at home! Remind yourself today not to be hard on yourself, and to let all that negative thinking go! You are a great mom, and sometimes just being more playful and positive about doing things with your kids that made you happy when you were a kid, will keep you and them happy while they are kids. You can do this!