Hey guys!

It’s been a rough couple of weeks huh? I (and i am sure a lot of you) have been fighting all sorts of Anxieties lately. We are living in unprecedented times and it can all be pretty overwhelming.

We have been in isolation for 6 days so far (although for me it is technically 7 because I don’t think I went anywhere on Thursday). Sara woke up with flu symptoms on Friday, and I woke up with them on Monday. Sara was also very fatigued and my chest got pretty tight and the Doctor prescribed me an inhaler. Both the kids have had coughs and sneezes; but luckily none of us have had everything too serious.

The real challenge has been keeping ourselves, a 3 year old and an 18 month old in the house for nearly 7 days. We don’t have much of a garden, so its all been an indoors job!

As far as keeping the kids entertained and learning is concerned: I think its as important as ever to remember that things aren’t always how they seem on the internet. If you CAN sit the kids down and keep them in a routine then that is amazing and you keep on with it! I have even put together a load of learning resources that you can use just below. But please, please, PLEASE don’t feel like a terrible parent if your kids are being unruly or if you just don’t have the capacity to do it. It is looking more and more likely that we are playing the long game here.

Looking after your (and your kids) Mental and Physical health is priority. And if enforcing a learning routine is just a massive losing battle - then just have a couple of days of chill! Let the kid chill and play, maybe get some cleaning done! See if the kids will even help clean and do chores with you!

SOME FUN AT-HOME LEARNING RESOURCES

Being in an enclosed space with ANYONE for an extended period of time is always going to be tough. But when that person relies on you, its important to remember that they are also going through it. We are all in this together!

Here are some quick (maybe obvious) tips from someone who has parented in isolation for the last week:

• Clean! A clean and tidy house feels bigger and like somewhere you want to be. If you can, give the whole house a deep clean. It will pass the time and make a difference in the long run.

• Spend less time on the internet. My Health Anxiety went through the roof last week because I believed too much stuff I saw online without questioning it. It’s very easy to just fall into a Social Media hole and spend hours scrolling and taking in lots of (fake) information. You won’t gain anything from this other than wasted time.

• Catch Up On Stuff. Now is a perfect time to catch up on (or find new) podcasts, TV shows and Films. A bit of escapism is always a good thing.

• Open Windows. I know the weather isn’t brilliant right now, but fresh air is always nice. And its nice to hear the birds chirping!

• Open Conversation With Your Partner (or kids if they are old enough). We are all in this together; so lets act like it! Sara and I love a bit of quiet time on our own - and that can be pretty hard to achieve when you feel like you are in the Big Brother house. Be honest about what you all need, and try your best to make this all as smooth as possible.

• Stay In Touch. Its 2020, we are all walking around with phones and laptops and all sorts of ways to keep in touch. Video call your mum, have a brilliant WhatsApp chat with a friend or even get a group chat going! Its a great way to take your mind off other things and bring up your general mood.

Now that we are all starting to feel a bit better, I can start bringing out some new content. Now more than ever is a time where parents are going to need support with their Mental Health. And that is why I have pledged to do since the start of Lionminded.

So lets remember to: Be safe, Be Kind, Be Smart and BE A COMMUNITY.

Stay Safe,
Joel, Sara, Rory and Ace.