The COVID-19 pandemic may be a deadly global disruption but there are some positive effects from it. One of these effects is letting busy parents work remotely at home. These parents who have been busy pre-pandemic have little to no time when giving attention to each other and their children.
Some leave early for work not seeing their kids and partner get ready for the day. Others come home late at night when everyone else has already gone to bed. This prevents them from having quality family time as these precious moments are the major forces that hold families together. Now with stay-at-home orders, everything has changed. And here are some useful ideas on what to do during family bonding time.
1. Create physical photo albums
Everyone relies on digital storage nowadays and there’s nothing wrong with that. But a physical album? That’s the most nostalgic way to reminisce about the good old days. As you put your newly printed photos in your album, you answer questions your kids ask about the story behind the photo. And they’ll develop a deeper bond getting to know you and your partner even more.
2. Put on a show or play
The good thing about putting on a play is you get to share a unique experience with the stage members. Plan a show with your family and it becomes even more special. You don’t need an audience to perform. All you need is to have fun bonding together as you set up the stage, craft the props, and write the dialogue.
3. Cook or bake together
Every family has a secret recipe passed down from generations. To ensure that the line of family secret goes on, why not teach it to your kids at an early age? As you teach them how to bake or cook, you can also teach them the historical significance of the dish and important stories about your family’s heritage and its individual members.
4. Go for a backyard picnic
Public parks have started reopening now but children aren’t allowed to go out yet. If the weather outside is lovely, enjoy it in your backyard with your family instead. Spread a picnic blanket under the sun or the shade of your backyard tree. Turn on the radio or Bluetooth speaker and enjoy the afternoon breeze outside with your partner as you watch your children playing and running around the backyard lawn.
5. Learn new crafting arts
Do you know what’s an even more fun family activity? Bonding while learning a new crafting skill! You and your family can start practicing how to make clay pots, carve wood, or paint for gardening and art. It’s not only fun and educational for all of you, but it can be profitable if you get to master your trade. It will be something that will give your kids a money-making route in the future.
6. Read a story together
Another learn and bond activity is to read aloud a children’s story together with your family. This family bonding activity helps you and your partner identify which of the easy words your children struggle with. You and your partner can correct your kid’s mistakes and at the same time teach them the proper pronunciation.
7. Play a sport together
Children learn best at an early age. What you teach them today will play a major role in who they will be in the future. If you teach them sports and play with them, they’re more likely to be athletic and healthy when they grow up. Better yet, the sport you taught will be their favorite pastime activity as they’ll remember you for it.
8. Eat dinner together
As the majority of the world’s population lean towards technological dependence, it’s sad to say that even at dinner tables phones are still being used incessantly and unnecessarily. This is observable especially for children who can’t let go of a tablet or phone while eating. Adults who bring their work home are also guilty of this habit.
To correct this bad routine, simply set a no gadget rule when eating together at any time in or out of your home. Set a rule to have all family members be at the table when food is served. And talk about what happened in your day especially from the kid’s experiences.
Don’t allow for space to come in between you and your family. Keep your relationships healthy by making use of the precious time you have when you’re not busy. Do activities that you’re all sure to learn from and enjoy.
