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The pandemic has had a massive impact on the physical and emotional well-being of people everywhere. Working mothers especially have had to take the brunt of the lockdown and the subsequent changes that came with it. While the initial months have been the most tricky, the anxiety concerning the virus has slowly settled with vaccination on its way. But working mothers are still struggling to manage both kids and work simultaneously. Moms not only have to ensure the safety of their toddlers but also have to make their physical and mental health a priority during the pandemic. Children may find it hard to adapt to the new changes and may crave constant attention from their parents. We know maintaining a peaceful environment at home may not be the easiest thing to do when you are a working mother with a toddler. Below, we list down a few tips to help keep your toddlers safe and happy amidst a pandemic.
Set Up A Routine
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Following a routine is crucial in uncertain times to help kids be at ease when everything else around them is changing. Set up a specific routine every day to ensure that kids have a peaceful time right from the start, even when the safety and health guidelines keep changing. This not only helps kids but also makes it easy for parents to know what to expect and results in less stress and confusion. Having a specific routine every day also ensures that the kids are less cranky and restless. However, make sure to create a routine around your work schedule so that you can stick to it every day without making too many changes. From when they have their breakfast to playtime, and nap time, make sure your kids stick to their day’s schedule.
Ensure Healthy Diet
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Following a well-balanced diet ensures that your child gets all the necessary protein, nutrients, and minerals that he needs to stay healthy and safe against diseases. However, when you have a picky eater at home, feeding them their favorite snacks or sugary treats may seem like an easy fix, especially when you are crunched for time. But before you know it, it will soon turn into an addictive habit, and you may find it even harder to feed healthy to your fussy eater. Instead of giving in to their demands, look for healthier alternatives instead. Most importantly, avoid force-feeding your child. This can cause them to develop an unhealthy relationship with food and make dinnertime a stressful experience for them.
Have A Roleplay Session
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Toddlers love roleplaying games. How many times have you watched your kid pick up your phone and pretend to talk to someone? Or they suddenly took the broom and started sweeping the place? Kids love imitating others around them. So, roleplay is a great activity that you could do with your child to engage and entertain them. Roleplay also helps enhance your toddler’s skills, boosts creativity, develops their imagination, and promotes performance.
Do Chores Together
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Involving your kids in small chores and errands around the house will help in the holistic growth of a child. Teaching your kids to do small chores also helps them be responsible from a young age. Ask your little ones to keep their toys back in their place once they are done playing. As your child gets older, you can ask them to set the table for dinner, help with small chores, and clean their room. This helps them to be more organized, accountable, and independent as they grow up.
Do Fun Activities
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The pandemic has definitely brought families closer. Use this opportunity to spend quality time with your kids and strengthen the parent-child bond. Find activities that would be enjoyed by both, whether it is dancing, baking, gardening, or painting. You could also learn about your child’s hobbies and interests and help them develop their skills. Activities such as hide and seek, sensory bins, threading beads, DIY finger paints, and playdough activities are a favorite among toddlers.
In between all the chaos, don’t forget to pamper yourself and find time for some ‘me time’. Managing home and work can get stressful, and amidst everything, it’s important to take care of yourself so that you can take better care of your kids as well. If you found our article helpful, don’t forget to share it with others to help them too.
