May 8, 2020
Solving The Problems that COVID-19 Creates


A PERSON LIVING ALONE:
Most people do not isolate very well. However, alone time can be a growth in improving your self-knowledge.

Remind yourself of all your accomplishments and positive qualities. Accept your negative ones and think of ways to improve them.

Use the time to learn something that you had no time for. Preferably something you have always wanted to do and did not have the time to accomplish.

Learn a new language. Teach yourself how to play an instrument. On line instructions are available in everything you ever wanted to know. Draw. Paint. It does not matter if it is perfect. You are the only one looking at it. So just enjoy doodling. Learn the words to songs & poetry. Play word games.

All types of interactive games are available on the internet.
Did you ever want to know more about dogs?/nature/geography? History? Architecture? The list is endless. If you are unable to think of any subject, just peruse the internet until you find something stimulating.

A COUPLE FORCED TO REMAIN HOME TOGETHER:
During the honeymoon, you both wanted that aloneness. You called it togetherness. Life distracted you both and now you have time to repair that.

Dance together. Listen to music, watch movies, play games, put together puzzles, sing songs.

Tell imaginative stories. My Dad told this whooper: He said that the corn got so big that they made apartments out of the kernels.

Talk about the good old days when you got along well together and could not wait to be with each other. Go over the components of what made that time so special. Recreate it.

Tell each other you love them and mean it.

Discuss what you appreciate about each other. Can't think of anything? Go back to when you first met. What did you enjoy about that person? It is still there. Life sometimes buries those memories. Bring them back to life.

WORKING WITH CHILDREN:
Children can be vexing. It is important that parents understand child developmental stages. (Order a book to learn from or check the internet for help.). Expecting too little or too much of child according to their ability to evaluate and understand what they should do causes frustration for both generations.

Be a good role model. How much of what the child is doing is a reflection of your own actions?

Listen to your child. Do not be quick to judge.

Children need to be active. If possible, go out side and run, play catch.
If the child is young, remember the games we played, (Simon Says. May I? Red Light, Green Light, London Bridges). Play with them.

Puzzles, drawing, singing, music to listen to or dance with (either alone or with the parent) are some of the activities that can keep them busy.

Exercise, yoga. tai chi - any martial art, if you know them -or can find internet instructions for them to follow.

Have lots of family times where you make things depending on the parents talents and those of the child. Sewing, carpentry, crocheting, knitting, cooking, etc can be handed down for a memory they will never forget.

Cardboard boxes can become a car, boat, house or spaceship. Whatever the child imagines it to be.

If you are home schooling and the kids get irritable or squirmy. Stop and do some exercises with them.

Have the older ones teach the younger ones their lessons. Then just supervise by going over what has been accomplished and correct any errors. Do it with a positive approach. Children learn better taught with love, not with annoyance or anger.

Parents need to deal with their own frustrations while teaching the child(ren). Take time-out when you feel overwhelmed. It will help the child(ren) to mirror your ability to structure your life correctly. So often we become so competitive that we lose the focus of what we are really trying to accomplish.

Schedule a time for dinner. All together at a table, (not watching TV). Ask the children to tell what kind of a day they had. Find out if they are happy, sad, frustrated so that you can help them adjust.
Do not be afraid to share your feelings. Often child(ren) interpret parental moods as a rejection. It is not necessary to burden them with details. Just that you are (sad/upset/frustrated, etc.) because of an outside situation and that they are not responsible for your mood. Let them know you are not angry with them if you are feeling angry.

Should you actually feel angry with them, modify your comments to be: I disapprove of your behavior (a description of it), but I love you.