Brooklyn, NY. Day #204485 of Coronageddon.

I’ve watched countless hours of Netflix and YouTube with the munchkin. My grocery bill has exploded because she refuses to use her school stomach. Adjusting to remote learning has had its challenges, but I’ve seen a huge improvement in her grades!

Overall, we have been making the most of our time; but I’ll be honest cabin fever has surely set in. This “new normal” is anything but normal. The uncertainty of what is to come and worrying about the health of loved ones and the world at large is anything but normal. It takes a heavy mental toll on everyone, munchkins included.

So rather than create a bail fund, I talked to my family therapist and friends in the Mindful Moms and Munchkins Facebook community and came across tips a few minor tips/adjustments have far reaching benefits for your household.

One consistent tip I have seen is to create a schedule for your munchkin. If you are lucky, your munchkin’s school may have provided a school schedule for learning. Stick to that. But also schedule fun things (zoom calls with friends, movie nights, House Party game nights) so they have something to look forward to because let’s face it, the days can blur together. I’ve learned, it has been important to keep a consistent dinner and bedtime. Schedules give munchkins a sense of structure during such an uncertain time and can alleviate the erratic mind and boundless energy your munchkin is experiencing.

Allow your munchkin to have control over things in the house. Let them pick what’s for dinner, what movie to watch, which exercise to do, what time to bathe, etc. Things are so uncertain right now and your munchkin may not know how to handle their fears which can unknowingly lead them to do things to assert their power. Those little toddler meltdowns or that constant attitude from your preteen are just ways for them to voice their frustration with everything. Release control over the little things and show them you value their opinion. This tip is helpful regardless of if you are quarantined or not, I mean it’s more important that they bathe every 24 hours than not at all right?

WOOSAH!!! The most important advice I can give is to be kind to yourself. Give yourself grace around things (Read “Breaking Habits Through Grace”). We are experiencing the same uncertainty as our munchkins with a whole lot more responsibilities on our shoulders. Furloughed, unemployed, working from home. Regardless of circumstance, everyone is experiencing a major adjustment which can be mentally tiring. Find some things that will help you take care of your mental and physical space. Rest, watch Netflix, read, start that hobby/business, exercise, CRY if you want to. The possibilities are endless of what you can do, but just remember be kind to yourself (and of course STAY HOME). We get to be human and feel our emotions through this difficult time and still be strong for our munchkins. We are all in this together.

One final piece of advice? Limit your time and exposure to the news and social media. We are in this together but social media tends to make us compare and feel inferior. Most times the information is daunting and misleading. Instead, take this time to reflect and be with yourself, get to know you. There is no better time. Stay well, stay safe and stay home!

Thank you to all the essential workers on the front line, may you be protected. Prayers to all the souls that have transitioned due to COVID-19.