HELP! What Do I Do with Kids at Home? Parenting & COVID-19

Ready or not, COVID-19 is turning our lives upside-down. And parenting during social isolation? The struggle is real! How are we going to keep our kids safe, happy, and healthy—and still maintain our sanity? 

In addition to school, many of our families have lost access to health clubs, churches, team sports, libraries, music lessons, scouts, and a whole host of structured activities that keep us busy, productive, and allow us to interact with other human beings. What are we going to do now that those options are out of the picture? 

After just a few days of being stuck in the house, with no one else to interact with but each other does anyone else feel like their head might explode? We have a lonnnng way to go yet!

Have no fear! We’re here to help! And we’ve come with an expert in tow: Greta Eskridge, a home educator who specializes in helping families find deeper connections. Plus, she fights pornography! Now that’s our kind of lady.

We had so much fun talking with Greta. She has FABULOUS advice and tips to keep kids engaged in quality activities during this challenging time! Best of all, these are tips we can use anytime kids are at home, not just during a crisis. Get ready to be inspired!

Time to connect

As we always say, protecting our kids from the trap of pornography begins by creating deep connections. That’s Greta’s mission too. And since our kids are basically stuck with us this is the perfect time to review safety protocols. While they’re a captive audience (mwahahaha), take time to talk about things that matter most. 

Related: How to Get Your Kids Talking (About Stuff That Matters)

Sure, it’s no fun to be in the middle of a crisis. But if we look at it another way—and if we are able to move beyond the emotional trauma of it all, it’s actually pretty cool that we have more time to spend together. That doesn’t mean we have to interact with each other every minute of every day. But it does mean we need to be intentional about how we structure our day. 

Thinking outside the box

Our children are home. And they’re bored. Some of our kids, especially our tweens and teens, have their own ideas about what they want to do with their time. Likely, they don’t know what to do with all these hours … and days … and weeks stuck at home. It can be tempting to stay glued to TV, video games, social media, or some sort of tech. 

Related: Ep. #1.13, Too Much Screentime?

As Greta reminded us, we don’t need to make screens the enemy. We just need to be thoughtful about how we let our kids connect online. (We totally agree!) In Greta’s case, she got her kids (ages 9 to 16) to come up with three ways they could continue to connect with their friends from a distance. Here’s what they came up with:

• An online lego build club
• A virtual book club
• Snail mail pen pals

Tune in to hear Greta talk about the specifics on how they are making these ideas work. So cool! We especially love that her kids choose things that revolved around their hobbies and interests. Things they LOVE to do. Considering using the “online club” format other interests: a cooking “best chef” competition, art, music … the possibilities are endless. 

But don’t make these projects feel like a chore, Greta warned. This shouldn’t feel like drudgery for kids (or parents!). We’re already stuck at home! Be flexible! Have fun! If done right, these activities can actually provide relief during a time that feels stressful or even scary for our kids.

Be kind to yourself

Let’s be honest. Whether we like it or not, and whether we normally have a media-free home or not, our kids will likely be spending more time using screens and devices than usual. Because there is nothing normal about what is happening in our world right now. 

Greta gave us two tips to help us survive this thing:

• First, lower your expectations. That might sound strange. But listen up. We have all been thrown into deep water. We’re just learning to swim. 
• Second, give yourself and your kids some grace. We will figure out how to do this eventually. 

Greta also suggests planning your day in “chunks,” rather than scheduling everything minute-by-minute. This will help you set goals and stay organized, but give you flexibility. Tune in to hear how that works. 

Germs are not the only danger

Let’s circle back to where we started. Use this time at home to help kids be aware of online dangers. Getting online is one of the only ways to reach outside our four walls during this lonely time! This means we need to be even more vigilant. 

• Talk about your Tech Safety Plan. If you don’t already have one, make one!  
• Talk about predators and pornography. 
• Brainstorm as a family about ways to be safe online. 

Make sure your kids are an active part of the conversation. This helps them take ownership and ensures that they are part of the strategies and solutions you put in place.

Related: Ep. #1.2, Beware of the Rattlesnakes: Safeguarding Your Kids from Pornography

Episode challenge

Have you read any good books lately? This is a great time to do that! This week, choose a book that you can read aloud together as a family. If you don’t have one stowed away on your shelf (and can’t get to the library because it’s closed) then try downloading a book online. Many books on Amazon have a Kindle version that you can download to your computer, or even an Audible version that will read aloud for you. (See Greta’s “Inspiring and Uplifting Book List” in our Links/Resources below!)

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the show, please leave a positive review or tell a friend!

More about today’s guest

Greta Eskridge is a mother, home educator, and writer who travels around the U.S. speaking and sharing her message of joyful, connected parenting. She lives in sunny Southern California with her artist husband Aaron and their 4 kids and loves to fill their school days with reading, making art, and being outside as much as possible. Her favorite places to be are on a hiking trail or at the tide pools–preferably with a La Croix or iced coffee in hand. She loves being active, laughing, having adventures, reading, and taking cat naps in the afternoon. Greta’s first first book, Adventuring Together, is due out July 2020. 

Links/Resources

Greta’s blog: www.gretaeskridge.com

Greta’s Instagram: @maandpamodern

Inspiring and uplifting book list (from Greta)

Any age can and will enjoy these books, but these titles will be especially great for 11 and under:

“On the Banks of Plum Creek” by Laura Ingalls Wilder

“The Long Winter” by Laura Ingalls Wilder

‘The Tale of Despereaux” by Kate Di Camillo

“The Green Ember” by S D Smith

“The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe” by C S Lewis

“A Door in the Wall” by Marguerite de Angeli

“Father and I Were Ranchers” by Ralph Moody

Due to some heavier content, these titles are better suited for 12 and up:

“The Hiding Place” by Corrie ten Boom

“God” Smuggler” by Andrew van der Bijl, Elizabeth Sherrill, and John Sherrill

‘Night” and “Dawn” by Elie Weisel

“Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott

“Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster” by Jonathan Auxier