Well folks, it seems as though many of us are falling victim to Coronavirus itself or our kids are required to stay home due to exposures and an inability to be vaccinated (yet). I really hope I’m writing this blog post and no one will ever need to read it or use the information. But, it just doesn’t seem to be going away. So, this one is for anyone that is home with their kiddos, especially for those that this is not their usual routine. I hope this will provide some ways to get through a stretch of time stuck together and how to survive quarantine.

It happened to our family a few weeks ago. Honestly, there were many emotions. For some reason, I felt shame, guilt, and helplessness that I have never felt contracting another illness in the past.

These are really tricky times all around. I can’t help with the emotional processing of allllll the extra things that come along with this virus and these times in our society, but I’m hoping this post can offer some suggestions on how to get through quarantine with a little bit of grace.

Why Quarantine is Hard

Duh. What a silly heading and section. But really, when we think about it, why is this so hard? We get uninterrupted time with our families. We could have time at home that could allow us to get some of those projects done that we’ve been meaning to do. We can stay in our pjs all day and just take time away from the world.

If this is your quarantine, kudos to you. Raise your hot coffee and cheers!

However, for many, this is not what quarantine looks like. I had these thoughts often during my time with my family. I was lucky enough to have paid time off available to cover my time away from work and not have to worry about that aspect. So, if I’m not having to work from home, why is this so challenging? And why does it feel like I’m not appreciating this “quality time”?

Lots of things:

• Our routine is off. For every one of us.
• We can’t go anywhere. And no one can come to us.
• Daily activities give us purpose and meaning.
• Small children require a lot of attention.

And many other factors. If you are a single parent, if you are working from home, if you have no extra space, if you have multiple children across age ranges, if you have a limited income, if your children are attempting virtual learning, if you yourself are ill… this time is so challenging. Just give yourself grace. I invite you to feel no guilt and use these points as suggestions only.

Here are some ways to address each of the challenges listed above to maintain some sanity during this time.

Routine

We thrive off of routine. Kids especially thrive off of routine. Neurodiverse individuals ESPECIALLY thrive off of routine. To help with this, try to maintain a routine as much as you can. This will help days go more smoothly and for everyone to know what is expected. Here are some ways to do this.

Stick with morning and evening routines. You’re not going anywhere, so why not stay up late and not brush our teeth until noon? Because it impacts our health, well being, and our daily flow. Whenever you need to return to “real life”, being able to continue these routines will make everything smoother. So before you start your daily activities, make sure you start with the basics- bathroom, brush teeth, comb hair, change clothes (that last one is your choice because I am also in my pjs much of the day).

Add a visual support. Check out my post on visual supports and why they are effective. Below you will find one that you can print, laminate, cut, and assemble accordingly however you see fit for your child and family. Consider taking turns choosing the activities. Remove unavailable choices to avoid meltdowns, choose a schedule for chunks of the day, for older children put a timer or time frame on the activities.

We used this visual and it helped all of us (especially the adults) understand what to do during the day. Days on end with hours to fill is daunting. A visual schedule gives an idea of things to try to do during the day.

So How Do We Fill Our Days?

Great question. This might come easy to some people that were made to play with children all day. And actually, as one of those people, I also found it hard to fill all of the time.

Incorporate Sensory Input

Every person needs a certain amount of sensory input to give us information about the world, allow us to feel stimulated, and help us remain regulated. When we get too much or too little, we can really feel off. For kids, this may show up as behaviors that seem are challenging. Many children need WAY more stimulation than we as adults do. That imbalance of needs can easily lead to children feeling under stimulated and adults feeling overstimulated- neither one receiving the right amounts to satisfy their needs for feeling good and regulated.

To avoid some of these behaviors and feelings of dysregulation, we want to avoid under or over stimulation. Here are some ways to do that:

• Assure movement daily through dance, jumping, blanket pulls, basket pushes, safe tumbling, obstacle courses, or relay races. When in doubt, go outside. Check out my post on heavy work and a list of 25 Heavy Work Activities to do at home.
• Allow for downtime for everyone. Keep in mind that shows, movies, books, music, quiet spaces are all tools for this. Lower the lights, keep volume down, and give comfy spaces to just chill. This can act as a reset for all. 
• Give opportunities for tactile play. This can be an incredible tool for learning as well as regulation. Tactile play is the use of touch for exploration. Oftentimes kids can get into a flow during this type of play, which means it can last a long time ;). Consider water, shaving cream in the bathtub or shower, play doh, kinetic sand, water beads, ice cubes, jello! Put these items into a bucket, Tupperware container, or a low pan and let them go for it. Add a bunch of tools and characters and watch their imagination soar.

Get Creative

I’m now just going to list a bunch of things that you can do at home with your kids that can help pass the time. Free play is really important. Go ahead and have your kids play by themselves. Set a timer and say, “It is time to play by yourself for a little bit. When the timer goes off, we’ll do the next thing on your list.” Kids around 3-4 years old and up can understand and follow this direction. (Shout out to my girlfriends, OT colleagues, and mom friends for helping me with this list.)

Help in the Kitchen

If you follow me at all, you’ll realize how much I love having kids help in the kitchen. Check out my blog post on skills it supports and ways to make it successful (coming soon!)

Here are some quick ideas of things to make:

• Chex Mix, puppy chow, rice crispy treats
• Any bag baked good such as cookies, muffins, cupcakes
• Granola
• Pizza
• Microwave smores
• Rice cake faces
• Fruit or veggie sticks

With each of these, depending on the age of your child, have them look at the recipe, write down ingredients needed, and find them in your cupboards or order the ingredients on line. If you’re not actually in quarantine but just home due to classroom or daycare closures, go to the store and find the items yourselves!

Crafts (or “Crafts”)

I know, I know. Crafts can take a lot of energy, prep, set up, and clean up. But, they can also offer opportunities for fine motor skill development, tool use, tactile exploration, and visual motor integration.

In order for these to be successful, try these tips: make sure YOU are in a good headspace in order to participate. If you’re irritated, I guarantee a kids’ craft will make it worse. Get all the supplies out and place them into separate containers or bowls. It contains the mess (kind of). Put down a tablecloth, newspaper, or individual lipped cookie sheets for each child to keep the stuff in one area. Don’t get out supplies you’re not ready to clean up or help with. Then, let them go for it. 

I will not be giving craft ideas here. It’s really not my strong suit. I like Pinterest or Instagram for this. I search for them and then just by the look of it, I decide if it is in my wheelhouse at that moment 😉 When in doubt, provide tape or glue and paper. Most age groups will find a way to have fun with this.

Games

Get out those games. If one of you is able to leave the house, go to your nearest thrift store and stock up on some new ones. Still sick of what you have? Make up new rules! Or, have your children make up new rules. Have games that are “too hard” for your child’s level? Allow them to just play with the manipulatives. Games that involve movement are a bonus: Twister, Hullabaloo, Simon Says. Or, in between each person’s turn, they have to do a dance/exercise move.

Play

Ok, here are a bunch of low prep, fun games that you can play with your kiddos. Or, set them up, model it, then let them go for it:

• Restaurant or coffee shop: have them “write” down your order (maybe they can’t, maybe they can) and make it together. Or, set out a bunch of snack options and then you choose from those and they get it for you.
• School: take turns pretending to be a teacher. Have an easel? Perfect. Don’t have one? place a large piece of paper on the wall and go for it.
• Make a stage, coordinate costumes, play music, make a script, whatever!
• Similarly, put on a puppet show. Create programs, make sock or brown paper bag puppets, a stage with a cardboard box. You get the idea.
• Cut a slit into a large box, and door on the other side. Make “letters” and pretend to mail them.
• Squirt bottles, buckets of water, and anything- washing windows, toy cars, animals
• Scavenger hunt, Easter egg hunt, hide and seek with animals
• Baking soda, vinegar in condiment bottles or spray bottles, and various containers
• And honestly, when in doubt, a bucket of ice cubes and various utensils, balloon play, painters tape will get you far

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Good luck, folks. It can be done. Someday, our grandkids will ask us what it was like during the pandemic and we’ll be able to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly. Hang in there.

I want to hear from you: what saved you during and how did you survive quarantine??