Note: This series was created due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the requirement to practice social distancing and stay home as much as possible. I hope that despite all the closures and the crazy grocery store lines, you can still find opportunities to stay calm, enjoy the extra time with your loved ones, organize the areas that need to be addressed, and find something (book, movie, craft) to bring you enthusiasm. Choose to be as balanced as possible and stay healthy.
Little Sprout started to tidy the living room. As any parent knows, a child does not start to tidy anything without any prompts … unless they want something.
Turns out that she wanted the living room to look perfect for the movie double header we are going to watch. She has drawn out everything:
- our comfy couch
- lots of blankets
- a bowl of popcorn
- vase of flowers (a plant will have to do)
- a pretty bunting (which she will make) to decorate the walls
- pizza for dinner
- homemade chocolate cupcakes
Why not ask your family to create their perfect family evening? Let them have it to the best of your ability. Give them art supplies to create new artwork for behind the couch. Let them use a blanket as a tablecloth. All the carbs can be dinner without a vegetable in sight. If you have a pre-teen or teenagers, let them cook or bake without your direct supervision.
Our children need to know that they can have a little control over this situation too. They can’t choose to hang out with a certain friend today. They can’t choose a new book from the school library to read. They can’t swap some of their lunch with a friend (even though their not supposed to). Give them something they can do. Let them use their creativity and surprise you with a family night.
Please share how you are staying occupied and/or the family night your children created. You can respond to this post or reach out through Social Media.
The links to all of the Staying Occupied posts can be found here and the Helpful Links from around the web are here.
Sprouting Balance 
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