Remembering to Have Fun
By Ellen White
Many years ago I lived in a beautiful, isolated community in Canada's far north. There were no roads in or out, just a train twice a week. You could also arrange a flight by helicopter or plane (if weather allowed) but the cost was prohibitive for virtually everyone who lived there. We stayed in our homes often completely isolated from one another in the pre-internet era, especially in winter. It was not at all unusual to see someone from outside the community move there for work and then find themselves "bushed", or suffering from "cabin fever", eager to take the next train out.
As human beings, we are designed to connect. Prolonged isolation takes a toll on our spirit, on our mood, and on our mental health.
During the current pandemic we have been isolated in so many respects. Parents have needed to be workers, therapists, teachers, playmates, counsellors, and parents all at the same time. Things seem hard, and challenges that might otherwise be mere ripples in a pond have become tsunamis. It's easy for even the most confident parent to feel like they are doing everything wrong. But they aren't. It's that the demands and expectations, thrown at you 24x7 and without many of your regular supports, are just too much.
As a mom of five grown children, and foster mother to twenty-two amazing kids through the years, I can tell you this—your child, right now, is creating memories of this period in time that will stay with them forever. They are very unlikely to remember the how and why of this pandemic, but they will remember the feelings that they had during this time. Your child will remember the laughter and the fun, the pizza in front of the television and the dance parties in the living room. It's so essential during this stressful time that we focus on creating happy memories of fun family time rather than screaming, fighting, fear or frustration.
I'd love to share some things old and new that my own children found fun, or that have been recommended to me by other parents and teachers. They are all inexpensive or free, require no assembly (thank goodness for that in my case 🙂) and they are safe. They are designed to help your child grow and learn, and for the entire family to create shared, happy memories.
Treasure Hunts Treasurehunt kids guide
The Tray Game https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/the-tray-game
Animals in My Neighbourhood. (This one involves a slow walk around your neighbourhood, where a child tries to find a higher number of animals each day, or multiple children see who can spot the animals first to get the higher total. This is a great opportunity for your child to get familiar with different dog or cat breeds, learn to identify various birds, etc.)
These virtual visits are amazing:
See African Wildlife. At this site you can view live cams set up in parks, zoos and sanctuaries in Africa and all over the world. Your child can watch pandas, polar bears, birds, puppies, kittens and most other animals at play: https://explore.org/livecams/panda-bears/wolong-g rove-panda-yard
You can watch penguins waddle and sharks swim at Ripley's Aquarium: https://www.ripleyaquariums.com/canada/shark-camera/
For those of you with toddlers:
Visit YouTube for videos by Mama OT. Here you'll find occupational therapy tips and tricks for those who care for children, like this fun one on how to put on socks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gmPrk7T2uY
Younger children love "loose parts", so you can get out your measuring cups, pouring devices, plastic bottles, spoons, buckets, funnels, pots and pans, tubes, cardboard boxes, large sheets of bubble wrap to keep toddlers engaged and entertained. Outdoors grass, leaves, balls, hoops, chalk and building blocks let toddlers explore textures while burning off energy.
In all of this, please remember to take time for yourself every single day—even if it’s only for a brief moment—to breathe, relax, and unwind however you can. It's okay to lower your expectations. Reach out for human contact and remember that we are all connected, and always here for you.