Social Distancing with Kids - Babymoon Inn Birth Center

What is Social Distancing and Why is the CDC recommending it?  

The CDC defines social distancing as, “remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible.”   

Because the CDC believes COVID-19 spreads easily throughout communities and we all have an important part to play in slowing the spread.  “Community-based interventions such as school dismissals, event cancellations, social distancing, and creating employee plans to work remotely can help slow the spread of COVID-19.  Individuals can practice everyday prevention measures like frequent hand washing, staying home when sick, and covering coughs and sneezes.” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html  

With school closings and many employers choosing to implement remote work options you may find yourself wondering just what to do to keep your family happy and healthy while staying home and practicing social distancing.  


Stimulate Your Mind
  

  1. Enjoy a walk through art galleries from The Met in NY to The National Gallery in London with a virtual museum tour that will let you explore art from all over the world without ever having to leave your couch.
  2. Don’t stress the mess – just take your creative kiddos outside! While some basic supplies might be sold out right now, craft supplies are still available – stock up on sticker books, play doh, puzzles, pom poms, and a big roll of craft paper for endless, inexpensive and messy fun. Find more craft ideas here.
  3. Check out what other animal families are up to by checking in on some live animal cams at the National Zoo or the San Diego Zoo!
  4. School’s out, but you can keep the classroom fun going at home with Scholastics 20 days of free activities all based on engaging stories here   

Strengthen Your Body     

  1. Take your meals to the backyard to enjoy a picnic-style lunch while you absorb the natural benefits of sunshine, fresh air and Vitamin D.
  2. Make a fun hand washing sign for your sink to learn about the importance of proper hand washing techniques and then make a video washing your hands to your favorite funny song for 20 seconds and share it with us!
  3. Just add water! Make bathtime extra fun with bubbles, bath crayons or even add an unusual toy like legos to the tub to mix it up. If the weather is warming up, you can even take a dip in the pool outside!
  4. Get the wiggles out with a backyard or indoor camping trip in a blanket fort with a battery-powered candle “camp fire,” microwave s’mores and sleeping bag naps!   

Energize Your Spirit
 

  1. Practice mindfulness with some parent-and-me yoga. Find free yoga pose printables here, cut them out and tape them to a die, roll and strike a pose! You can also adapt this to funny animal walks – bear crawl, waddle like a penguin or stomp like an elephant – as you go on a walk around your neighborhood. Social distancing does mean staying away from others, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy your backyard, a walk down the street or keeping the windows open for fresh air!
  2. Everyone will react differently to stressful situations requiring social distancing, but you may feel anxiety, frustration, boredom, loneliness or uncertainty. Help combat these feelings by staying connected to family and friends with a virtual playdate and mental check-in day through FaceTime or video chat.
  3. Take a break from the news and social media and instead spend that time journaling about your thoughts and feelings. When you check back in to the news, make sure to use only credible sources.
  4. If you regularly attend therapy or take medications, make sure to have a full supply on hand and talk with your provider about continuing through teledoc sessions.    

If You Also Find Yourself Working Remotely From Home

  1. Make sure you have all necessary equipment to work from home and then organize a dedicated office space. This will help you keep your work area contained and make it clear to other family members when you have “stepped into your office” for uninterrupted time.
  2. Stick to your normal office hours when possible to minimize any disruption to your normal routine.
  3. Be realistic about what chores will and won’t get done while you’re working from home and set expectationswith the entire family about how these tasks will be accomplished.
  4. Finally, if kiddos or pets end up walking in behind you on a video call play it cool, and odds are you will find some comradery with your fellow co-workers also practicing #socialdistancing because we really are all in this together!       

Michelle Petkovic

Michelle Petkovic

Social Media Manager, Babymoon Inn

Michelle Petkovic received her degree in International Affairs from Sweet Briar College. She is a mother of one energetic toddler born at a birth center and loves spending time outside camping, hiking and traveling with her family.

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