From my last count, it's it's been 100 years, three days, and 100000+ hours of a pandemic. The kids are getting antsy. And parenting is feeling heavy.

Have you experienced this?

• More video games and media than you EVER thought you'd allow.
• Routines left a long time ago.
• People keep saying, "You can do so much now that you're home!" and you laugh.
• You thought that with your spouse now home, you'd have so much more time for yourself...yeah, you also laugh (or growl) at that thought now.
• Kids go bunkers by the afternoon.
• Some days feel heavy.

If any of that resonates, please know that you and a million other parents feel the same some days.

Here are some tips on how ease parenting during a pandemic.

• Create a simple, super easy to follow a daytime routine for you and your child.
• Allocate video game and media time at various times (for example, after school work, after chores, while you cook dinner).
• Set a duration for media times.
• Plan one out-of-the-house activity every day (ideas - walk around the neighborhood, nature walk, going out for dessert, scenic drive).
• Create space for connection (reading a book aloud, telling your kids stories, art time, making a craft, cooking together).
• Take more mental health days for you and your child -- the days that you genuinely disconnect and be ok with doing nothing.

What other ways have you found to parent through the restlessness during the pandemic?

Parent-friendly resources for you:

• Planners
• Meal kits for easy cooking
• Craft boxes

And from The Parenting Alchemy:

• Create a routine chart
• Get your kids to listen to you better
• Have easier mornings and bedtimes
• Receive 1:1 Parent Coaching
• 6-Week Connection-Based Parenting Course

Kindly,
Giselle Baumet