Social Distancing When You Have Kid's - Here's a Routine

March 25, 2020
Posted by Christina Garcia
- 0 comments

Being a mom requires an extreme amount of patience and for some, let’s be honest, an extreme amount of wine. In this time of great uncertainty, there are a few things that hold true and one of them is that (most) kids thrive off of a routine. As a working mom, a schedule is what keeps the gears of my family wheels running smoothly, and my sanity intact.

As soon as I realized that my son would be home from school for the foreseeable future I turned to the mommy-blogs, DIY influencers I follow, googled Kiwi Crate subscriptions and created several new Pinterest boards.

If you and your family are home practicing social distancing, it’s the perfect time to actually unplug from the world while reconnecting as a family.

Here’s a rundown of my new routine in hopes that it will help and inspire you.

Before 9:00 am

Wake up. Eat breakfast.

Everyone makes their own bed (a shockingly new concept in our family - but it’s good to start new habits!) and make sure all common areas are tidy to start the day fresh.

My son has taken an interest in cooking and has now learned the basics of how to make eggs, it’s a fun way to allow him to explore a passion of cooking while also being there to show him how to, in a calm environment when we aren’t all frantically rushing out the door.

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Morning walk, if it’s raining stretches or yoga time in the living room.

I don’t know about you but our pets are THRIVING with us being home. My older dog who hasn’t played fetch in forever is all of a sudden bouncing around eager to get playtime in.

In this hour it’s good to get outside if possible, take the pets for a walk and exercise.

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Academic time! My son’s school has done an excellent job of putting together academic resources so for this hour he gets the essential school work done. Here’s looking at you, science, math and reading. If he finishes early I have him journal, do crossword puzzles or Soduku.

11:00 am -12:00 pm

Creative time!! We’ve been watching Lego Masters on NBC which has really inspired many great builds from my son. This is the time he gets to let his creative juices flow. Each day can be filled with a different creative activity whether it’s music (truly thankful for our electronic drumset these days), baking, crafting and drawing.

12:00 pm

LUNCH

12:30 pm - 1:00 pm

Cleaning up after lunch and getting into chores is a great way to not only keep your space tidy but to teach and show your kids the importance of cleaning. I’ve been taking the time to not only have my son help with chores but also to explain to him why we are now wiping down all the door handles, electronics etc. While every parent explains tough situations differently to their kids, I’m trying to use this pandemic as a teachable moment.

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Quiet time is something we all need, so it’s the ideal time to catch up on that book you’ve been meaning to read, build a puzzle together or simply curl up and nap with the pets.

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Academic time again! Bring those screens back out because this is the time when we are finishing up homework and dare I say even getting ahead on projects. I’ve taken this time to introduce my son to some of my favorite educational programs, Bill Nye the Science Guy anyone?!

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Afternoon fresh air is the perfect time to ride bikes, take the dog out again and just be a kid playing outdoors again.

5:00 pm -6:00 pm

DINNER

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

I’m trying to limit the screen time for my son as well as myself so we don’t all turn to sloths but this is the perfect time to have TV time or free time. There are many shows that can be watched as a Family and Disney+ has released several movies earlier than anticipated as well as new shows. Also during this time I have my son start prepping with his nightly routine of showering, teeth brushing and telling me his favorite part of the day.

8:00 pm

Bedtime! I know it stays lighter loner (thank you daylight savings) but in order for me to function throughout the days stuck at home, I need to personally unwind and reconnect with my husband. We take this time to talk, watch a crime show or documentary and just unplug.

So from one Pitusa Mom to all the Momma’s in Pitusa, stay safe and keep sane!

I hope this helps even just a little bit. If you have any tips or tricks that are getting you through this time, please share them with me! We are all in this together.