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Challenge: Pandemic Parenting

Life Hacks for Moms of Small Children: Quarantine Edition

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When my kids were small, I remember sitting out in the backyard watching them run around, while I felt sorry for myself that it was so complicated to get to the gym to work out. Then it dawned on me ... why don’t I exercise NOW instead of pining for the gym, which takes figuring out child care, taking time to drive there and back, and so on?

So... when my child asked me to play tag, instead of declining like normal, I got up and ran around with them. I exercised! Exercise is exercise, gym or no gym. No, it wasn’t my preferred workout routine, but I saved time in my day and I spent some quality time with my kids (which was helpful when I later told them I needed some alone mommy time).

Now during quarantine, it really IS impossible for moms to get to the gym. Here are 5 more sneaky ways to still do the things you want to do while being with your kids at home:

1. Organize your home while playing hide and seek. When you’re walking around the house searching for your kids, you can be putting things away. No kid wants to be found too quickly, anyway!

2. Do squats while comforting a crying baby. Your baby will appreciate the movement.... Your glutes will appreciate the movement. Win win!

3. Read children’s book biographies about people you are curious about. Your brain will be stimulated and inspired right alongside your child’s.

4. If you have a hard time looking people in the eye, as many people do, you can practice this important social skill with your child. It will also create deeper bonding between the two of you.

5. Put a timer on for “Creative Time.” Try something you’ve been wanting to work on during this time while your child sits next to you and works on their own project. If they can’t think of anything to do, have them color in a coloring book.

What parenting life hacks would you add to the list during quarantine?

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