Home Motherhood A “Schedule Free” Approach to Social Distancing with Young Kids at Home

A “Schedule Free” Approach to Social Distancing with Young Kids at Home

by C'MON MAMA
61 comments

The Coronavirus is real and it’s scary. But most importantly, it’s here.

And what about “social distancing?” It matters. We’re taking it seriously. I hope you will, too.

Is social distancing & hunkering down at home extreme? Yes. Is cancelling everything extreme? Yes.

Is extreme what it’s going to take to (hopefully) curb Covid-19? Yes.

Is social distancing with kids tough? Yes…and no.

I’ll admit that at first I thought we’d have play dates with friends who are “being careful like us.” I thought wrong. That’s not enough. It won’t work. It won’t inhibit the spread of this beast of a virus.

Then I thought we’d still go to playgrounds. Wrong again. Did you know this virus can survive for days on plastic & stainless surfaces? Aka slides & monkey bars?

So then what?

Where are we during social distancing?

I’ll tell you where.

We are at home.

We are on the porch.

We are riding scooters on our dead end street.

We are in the patch of grass in front of our house because we don’t have a yard.

We are at the empty beach (we feel very blessed to have this option). And if everyone else suddenly has the same idea and it’s not an empty beach, we will go right back home.

We are snuggled up on the couch binging movies.

Or in my big bed.

We are on a bike ride.

We are on a picnic in the middle of the living room.

We are in a couch fort.

Above all, we are together.

And what are we doing during social distancing?

I’m not a homeschooling Mom. And I’m not a teacher. I’m a regular Mom (but I’d like to think I’m a cool Mom). I know sticking to a set daily schedule is a sanity-saver for many of you Mamas. Especially maybe for all of you who have jobs outside of the most demanding job of all—Motherhood.

I am a SAHM. I am thankful for that more than ever in a time like this. I know how lucky I am not to have to worry about another job right now.

And I know I might be in the minority on this, but we’re not having a schedule. I don’t really want a routine that I have to follow. We stick to a schedule(ish) when things are “normal,” but I’m throwing all that out the window right now because things are definitely not normal. Not for my kids and not for me. We are winging it and just taking each day as it comes.

So, what are we doing during this self-quarantine? I’ll tell you what.

We are doing nothing.

We are watching all our favorite shows & movies. Over & over again.

We are slowing down.

We are having pajama days. Probably every day, if I’m being honest.

We are blowing bubbles.

And when we run out of bubbles, we will play with chalk.

And when we run out of chalk, we will trace sticks in the dirt.

We are finger painting. On paper and on our bodies.

social distancing with kids painting bodies with finger paint

Taking body paint to a new level.

We are attempting to do crafts, even if that just means gluing together pieces of paper.

We are having dance parties.

We are turning out all the lights and playing with flashlights.

We are making rock, leaf, and stick collections.

We are having tickle fights.

We are playing in the water, whether in a kiddie pool or with our hose (that’s broken, by the way, but the kids don’t seem to care).

We are taking long baths during the middle of the day.

We are reading books together.

We are making our own books.

We are coloring.

We are cooking easy things together.

We are talking to each other. And not just “how was your day” talk. We are talking about our favorite things. Funniest memories. I’m finding out if their favorite color or best friend has changed. Or about where they think the sun is on foggy days. We are talking about the things that are important in their lives, hearts and minds. Even if it’s why their Curious George stuffed animal doesn’t have the 3 sprigs of hair he has on every show and book illustration (this was a very real & very serious conversation in our house recently).

We are eating all the fresh stuff until it runs out and then we will eat all the processed food imaginable.

We are playing.

social distancing play with your kids

So often as Mothers we beg for more time. “If only there were more hours in a day.” “If I could just get this done then I could sit down and play with them.” “If I can knock out these errands then we can hang out together later.”

Time is the one thing we never have enough of. And, self-quarantining and social distancing aren’t necessarily giving us more time. On the one hand, we have much less time to do all the things we need and want to do because we have zero breaks. Our kids are with us 24/7. And that’s super stressful. And hard. But on the other hand, we have more time to do all the things we always wish we could do with our kids. Things like playing.

School is cancelled. Activities are cancelled. We aren’t going out to eat or to the store. No more Target runs. The daily distractions have been temporarily removed from our lives. So in this sense, we do have more time.

So during this social distancing, stay home.

Stay separate from the rest of the world right now. We often want to do that anyways, and then when we get the chance we scoff at the idea.

I’m not scoffing. And I’m not sure I’d say I’m embracing it, either. Because all of this social distancing and self-quarantining comes from a scary place. But I am abiding by it. Because it’s the right thing to do. So I’m making the best of it.

Okay, so maybe that is embracing it now that I think about it.

We are doing everything I listed above. On our own time. Whenever we feel like it. Well, really whenever I feel like it. One day we might watch 6 movies in a row. The next we might be The Crafty McCraftersons.

Mamas, there is no right way to handle social distancing and self-quarantining during this Covid-19 outbreak.

Well, actually there is one right way: STAY HOME.

But other than that, do it however you want. Adhere to a daily schedule to save your sanity. Or throw out the schedule to save your sanity.

In addition to everything above, here are some super simple, do-able things for you to do with your young children (mine are 5 & 3 for reference) while yall are holed up at home for the foreseeable future. We will rinse & repeat these as often as we can. And want.

-Let them take long baths during the day

Seriously, let the kids take a bath when they wake up. Or mid-morning. Or in the afternoon. Don’t save it for bedtime like you usually do. And let them take a long one. Like reallyyy long. It doesn’t even matter if you bathe them. They may not need a bath. That’s not even really what it’s about. Long baths are one of my favorite mom hacks because it keeps them confined and happy and safe (obviously do not take your eyes off them). My kids love not being rushed in the bath and I love being able to sit down for over an hour and not do anything.

*Another of my favorite mom hacks is to give them a popsicle in the bath because they think it is the coolest thing ever and there is ZERO mess.

social distancing popsicle in bath

-Say “Yes” to things you normally wouldn’t

Better yet, suggest things you’re normally not down with. If you’ve ever wished you were more of a “fun mom” here’s your chance. Let them paint their bodies (with these) and then throw them in the shower. Dessert for breakfast? Sure. Making decorations for the house & taping them up everywhere? Watch them beam with pride. Going outside to play in pajamas? Yep. And stay in yours, too. Playing in the rain? Definitely, and teach them how to catch rain drops in their mouth.

-Play ice cream shop

The kids love it when I invite them to the “ice cream shop.” I put all the toppings in little bowls and let them build their own ice cream sundae.

-Play restaurant

This is something my husband did with our kids one night when I was out, and I never heard the end of it. They LOVED it. He pretended to be the waiter and took their orders (“Tonight we’re serving peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or chicken and tater tots. What would you like?”) and served them. They do it all the time now. He writes their order on a little notepad and they think it’s the greatest.

-Paint rainbow bread

This is something I only discovered recently and now it’s our new favorite thing. Get this natural food coloring delivered from Amazon (or use what you have on hand). Put the food coloring in little bowls of milk. Let them paint the bread. Either put butter & sugar on it (sugar toast, anyone?) and put it in the oven or toast it first and then spread honey on top. This is such a fun activity and doesn’t waste any of your necessary food stash (you eat the bread, and you can even let them drink the milk or make oatmeal or add it to mac & cheese, etc.)

-Gather collections

Anything can become a collection. Seriously. Anything. Pinecones, rocks, sticks, leaves, flowers. Put out some large bowls for their collections and continue to add to them during the social distancing duration. You’ll be surprised how proud they are of their collections.

-Paint rocks

And on the same token, painting rocks is one of our favorite things to do ever. I have a beautiful wooden bowl filled with their painted rocks. It’s on display at all times and I love that. Our favorite way to paint rocks is with these tempera paint crayons. They are so easy to use and so washable. They can paint the same rocks over and over again.

-Let them cook with you

If I was a Chef, I’d be something along the lines of Chef Boyardee. So let’s be real—I’m talking about doing simple things together. Like baking cookies (I use the break apart ones—that’s how simple I’m talking). One of our very favorite things to do together is make pizza biscuits. I used to do it with my grandmom and they are the most delicious things ever.  And they’re so easy & exactly what they sound like: take a can of biscuits, split them in half, add sauce + cheese + toppings (we just do black olives), cook them and then eat every last one.

social distancing making pizza biscuits

-Let them watch TV

And don’t feel guilty about it. Honestly, I think TV is exactly what kids need sometimes. You like to binge watch TV. So why shouldn’t they like it, too?

-Let them work out with you

If you exercise, carve out the time to do it. Go on a bike ride, walk, run and take the kids. No, it won’t be like normal. Nothing about any of this is normal. I do yoga, and though it is definitely not relaxing or meditative to do it at home with kids climbing all over me, I can get it done-ish.

social distancing with kids yoga at home with mom

-Have a long daily quiet time

As long as possible. If your kid naps, great. If your kid doesn’t nap anymore, enforce quiet time. YOU NEED THIS TIME. Sure they do, too. But not as much as you.

My son “is trained” (but for real tho) to stay in his room for quiet time while his sister naps. That time to me is a life saver. I can rest or I can scroll the internet or I can do all the laundry. Whatever I want to do. It’s MY time. You need to make a section of the day be YOUR time, Mama. Otherwise, you will be burnt out in about oh, I don’t know, a day. (In general, this is my Mom burnout cure.)

If your kids won’t stay in their room then don’t feel guilty about putting on a movie or the 90 minute “5 Little Monkeys” compilation and telling them they get their “own time.” I have more success when I do it that way & make it fun for them versus when I say “I have to work, I need you to give me some time to myself.”

But usually I end up saying both because #momlife.

Mamas, hang in there. Social distancing with kids is hard, no matter how you cut it.

As with most things in life, a lot of making it through this with your sanity intact boils down to perspective. Sometimes we have to force a perspective shift.

And just for the record, making it through this with your health intact boils down to respecting social distancing and the seriousness of Covid-19.

We need do the best we can, not just for ourselves. But for the sake of everyone else, too.

If there is ever a time when what you do matters, it’s now.

People might say it’s an overreaction. But let me say this. We might not know if we overreact, but we will certainly know if we underreact.

Stay safe and sane, Mamas. And smart. ♥️


Check on the Moms with Young Kids (their quarantine life is hard, too)

Others have worn masks daily for years. Now it’s our turn.


Want more on Motherhood? —> Are you a SAHM? Are you Scared to Fly since Becoming a Mom? Or worried about your child choking? (my child choked)

Like this post? Join MAMA’s email list to get more like this. All things MOMishthe MOMents + MOMfessions, & all the Mama Must-Haves!



Pin this for later!

A \
364 Shares
61 comments

You may also like

61 comments

zmozero teriloren November 29, 2022 - 1:45 pm

You completed some good points there. I did a search on the issue and found a good number of folks will consent with your blog.

thermometer hygrometer digital November 29, 2022 - 10:44 am

Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your web site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this website. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched all over the place and just could not come across. What a great website.

zmozeroteriloren November 23, 2022 - 5:04 am

Fantastic web site. Lots of useful information here. I’m sending it to a few buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks on your effort!

marizon ilogert October 9, 2022 - 1:46 pm

Do you have a spam issue on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; many of us have developed some nice practices and we are looking to trade strategies with others, please shoot me an email if interested.

marizonilogert October 6, 2022 - 8:47 am

I want to express thanks to the writer just for rescuing me from this type of circumstance. After browsing throughout the search engines and obtaining strategies which were not pleasant, I was thinking my entire life was gone. Living without the approaches to the difficulties you’ve fixed by way of your article content is a crucial case, as well as those which could have badly damaged my career if I had not noticed the website. Your actual training and kindness in touching all the details was tremendous. I’m not sure what I would’ve done if I hadn’t come across such a stuff like this. I can also now look forward to my future. Thank you so much for your professional and sensible help. I won’t think twice to propose the sites to any person who wants and needs assistance on this subject matter.

tinyurl.com September 11, 2022 - 12:48 am

It’s in point of fact a great and useful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you simply shared this
helpful information with us. Please keep us up to date
like this. Thanks for sharing.

tinyurl.com September 6, 2022 - 12:36 am

Hi there mates, how is the whole thing, and what you desire
to say on the topic of this article, in my view its really awesome in favor of
me.

tinyurl.com August 15, 2022 - 12:27 am

This design is steller! You obviously know how to keep a reader entertained.
Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved
to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job.
I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
Too cool!

tinyurl.com August 13, 2022 - 5:29 am

Hi colleagues, how is the whole thing, and what you
would like to say on the topic of this post, in my view its
truly remarkable in favor of me.

tinyurl.com August 10, 2022 - 7:33 am

Excellent post. I’m facing a few of these issues as well..

http://tinyurl.com/23ztuh5o July 22, 2022 - 10:48 pm

Everything is very open with a very clear explanation of the issues.

It was really informative. Your website is very helpful.
Thank you for sharing!

tinyurl.com July 22, 2022 - 12:48 am

Hi there to all, it’s truly a nice for me to visit this site, it contains helpful Information.

tinyurl.com July 11, 2022 - 6:38 am

Wonderful beat ! I wish to apprentice at the same time as you
amend your site, how can i subscribe for a weblog web
site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I were a little bit acquainted of this
your broadcast provided shiny transparent idea

http://tinyurl.com July 6, 2022 - 10:18 pm

Thanks for sharing such a nice opinion, article is pleasant, thats why i have
read it fully

Cindi Hokes May 29, 2022 - 4:46 pm

Blog sites can be created making use of complimentary blogging platforms such as WordPress, Tumblr, and also Blog writer. These systems enable you to create an account and start blogging right now with no technical knowledge of coding or design.

tinyurl.com May 16, 2022 - 7:58 am

I am curious to find out what blog platform you have been working
with? I’m experiencing some minor security issues with
my latest website and I would like to find something more safeguarded.
Do you have any suggestions?

http://tinyurl.com/yxr65hcr May 11, 2022 - 1:39 pm

Howdy, I think your web site might be having internet browser compatibility issues.
Whenever I take a look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but
when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping
issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Aside from that, wonderful website!

tinyurl.com May 9, 2022 - 10:26 pm

continuously i used to read smaller articles or reviews which
also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this paragraph which I
am reading now.

gamefly April 10, 2022 - 7:27 am

Tremendous issues here. I am very happy to see your article.
Thanks a lot and I’m looking ahead to touch you.
Will you please drop me a e-mail?

gamefly April 6, 2022 - 9:11 pm

Appreciation to my father who shared with me on the topic of this
weblog, this webpage is in fact remarkable.

airline flights April 6, 2022 - 6:15 am

Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It in reality was a amusement account it.
Glance advanced to far brought agreeable from you! By the way, how can we communicate?

fly ticket April 5, 2022 - 4:51 pm

Simply desire to say your article is as astonishing.

The clearness in your post is just cool and i could assume you are
an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your
feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a
million and please carry on the enjoyable work.

http://tinyurl.com March 20, 2022 - 10:45 am

Your style is very unique in comparison to other folks I have read stuff from.
Thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this blog.

http://tinyurl.com March 20, 2022 - 8:04 am

Hello to all, how is the whole thing, I think every
one is getting more from this site, and your views are pleasant
designed for new people.

http://t.co/HoM6Oi64Of March 20, 2022 - 3:31 am

Wonderful blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News.
Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
Cheers

bit.ly March 19, 2022 - 6:38 pm

Admiring the dedication you put into your site and in depth information you offer.

It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed material.
Great read! I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.

tinyurl.com March 15, 2022 - 3:38 pm

We are a bunch of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.
Your site provided us with useful information to work on. You’ve done a formidable task and our entire group will probably be
grateful to you.

this asmr December 22, 2021 - 8:17 am

I am sure this piece of writing has touched all the internet viewers, its really really pleasant
post on building up new webpage.

for ps4 games October 26, 2021 - 9:23 am

You’ve made some good points there. I checked on the web to learn more about
the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this website.

off ps4 games October 25, 2021 - 1:57 pm

What’s up, its fastidious piece of writing regarding media print,
we all know media is a great source of information.

bit.ly September 5, 2021 - 12:43 pm

This piece of writing is actually a pleasant one it
helps new web viewers, who are wishing for blogging.

is scoliosis surgery September 5, 2021 - 5:40 am

We absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post’s
to be just what I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content for
you? I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on a lot of the subjects you write concerning here.
Again, awesome weblog!

it asmr September 3, 2021 - 11:09 pm

Thanks for the marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will often come back someday.
I want to encourage that you continue your great work,
have a nice weekend!

bitly.com September 2, 2021 - 2:08 pm

Hi there very cool web site!! Man .. Excellent .. Superb ..
I will bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally?
I am satisfied to search out so many helpful information here within the submit, we want develop more strategies on this regard, thanks for sharing.
. . . . .

it scoliosis surgery September 2, 2021 - 4:23 am

Having read this I thought it was really informative.
I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this informative article together.

I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments.
But so what, it was still worthwhile!

on asmr September 1, 2021 - 6:23 pm

You ought to be a part of a contest for
one of the highest quality websites on the net.
I’m going to highly recommend this website!

http://t.co August 31, 2021 - 6:12 pm

I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.
I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here frequently.
I’m quite certain I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right here!

Good luck for the next!

http://t.co August 30, 2021 - 2:50 am

Wonderful work! That is the type of info that are supposed to be shared across the net.
Shame on the search engines for no longer positioning this submit upper!
Come on over and seek advice from my web site . Thanks =)

web hosting that August 28, 2021 - 5:23 am

Please let me know if you’re looking for a writer for your blog.
You have some really good articles and I believe I would
be a good asset. If you ever want to take
some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some content for your blog
in exchange for a link back to mine. Please shoot me an email if interested.
Thanks!

ps4 games was August 25, 2021 - 10:34 pm

Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is wonderful blog.
A great read. I’ll certainly be back.

your ps4 games August 25, 2021 - 8:34 am

Hey there terrific website! Does running a blog such as this take a massive amount work?
I have very little expertise in coding but I was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyhow, if you have any suggestions or tips for new blog
owners please share. I know this is off subject nevertheless I just had to ask.
Kudos!

my ps4 games August 23, 2021 - 2:17 pm

Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to check out your website on my iphone during lunch break.
I really like the info you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
I’m shocked at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile ..
I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, wonderful
blog!

there ps4 games August 22, 2021 - 8:15 am

Awesome! Its genuinely awesome article, I have got
much clear idea concerning from this post.

gamefly but August 17, 2021 - 12:04 am

Hello, always i used to check webpage posts here in the early hours in the morning, because i love to find
out more and more.

bit.ly August 16, 2021 - 8:10 am

With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright violation? My website has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either authored
myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping
it up all over the web without my agreement. Do you know any techniques to help
protect against content from being stolen? I’d truly appreciate it.

tinyurl.com August 12, 2021 - 9:19 am

Nice blog! Is your theme custom made or did
you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple
adjustements would really make my blog shine.
Please let me know where you got your theme. Many thanks

http://tinyurl.com/ August 11, 2021 - 5:50 pm

Good day! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering
which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at
options for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

bitly.com August 11, 2021 - 8:33 am

Hello, I do think your website could be having web browser compatibility issues.

Whenever I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in Internet Explorer,
it has some overlapping issues. I just wanted
to provide you with a quick heads up! Aside from that, excellent website!

j.mp August 10, 2021 - 4:17 pm

I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This paragraph posted
at this web page is truly good.

tinyurl.com August 9, 2021 - 9:27 pm

I’m gone to tell my little brother, that he should also go to see this web site on regular basis
to obtain updated from newest information.

Dale August 9, 2021 - 10:15 am

Admiring the dedication you put into your blog and in depth information you
present. It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted
rehashed information. Fantastic read! I’ve saved your site and I’m including
your RSS feeds to my Google account.

Manual July 27, 2021 - 2:56 am

fantastic points altogether, you just gained a logo new reader.

What might you recommend about your post that you simply made some days ago?
Any positive?

scoliosis and May 31, 2021 - 3:33 am

Howdy, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i
was just curious if you get a lot of spam responses?
If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you can recommend?
I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so
any support is very much appreciated.

surgery scoliosis your May 30, 2021 - 12:40 pm

Tremendous things here. I am very happy to see your post.

Thanks a lot and I’m having a look ahead to contact you.
Will you please drop me a mail?

asmr that May 21, 2021 - 7:02 am

Hey there superb blog! Does running a blog similar to
this take a great deal of work? I have very little understanding of programming but I was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyways, should you have any recommendations or techniques for new blog owners please share.
I understand this is off subject but I simply needed to ask.
Thank you!

https://6869milesoflove.tumblr.com/ May 20, 2021 - 5:39 am

free dating sites
We’re a bunch of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.
Your web site provided us with valuable information to work on. You have performed a formidable task and our
whole group shall be grateful to you. dating sites

tinyurl.com May 19, 2021 - 7:38 am

scoliosis
Link exchange is nothing else except it is simply placing the other person’s
website link on your page at appropriate place and other person will also do similar in support of you.
scoliosis

bitly.com May 16, 2021 - 5:56 am

scoliosis
Wow! After all I got a weblog from where I can really take
useful facts concerning my study and knowledge.
scoliosis

j.mp May 15, 2021 - 9:29 am

scoliosis
If you desire to increase your experience simply keep visiting
this site and be updated with the hottest news posted here.
scoliosis

Sabrina March 20, 2020 - 6:21 am

Thank you so much for this. I’m not a blog reading mom but something told me to read this. You really put things into perspective. I’m on mat leave at the moment and have 3 children under 4. I’m also a teacher so I like schedules. But I’m going into this, from now on, with this mind-frame. You’re absolutely right, nothing about this is normal, so we don’t need to be so hard on ourselves when things don’t go to plan. Thank you again, and stay healthy and safe.

C'MON MAMA March 23, 2020 - 7:25 am

Sabrina, your comment means so much to me. I’m so glad you read this & so glad it helped give you that perspective shift we all need right now. And thank YOU for the validation that it’s okay to just “be” during these crazy, scary times. All this is so hard as it is, I think we’ve got to go easy on ourselves right now. Hang in there, Mama. ❤️

Comments are closed.