Defining Your Family's New Normal

 Day 23 of the Enhanced Community Quarantine. And it seems like we're not seeing the end of the tunnel yet.

By now, we’re all already used to being at home the whole day (I’ve been used to it for a while, being a stay-at-home mom) and the novelty of it has probably worn out. Same goes for our kids. They have probably adjusted to their new schedule and to the routine we’ve established for them during this period.

For me, a mom to little kids (from toddler to school-age), this whole lockdown was quite a curveball. Some of you parents may agree. Just when we thought we got parenting figured out, this happens. And again we’re at a loss on what to do. Do we parent in panic mode and traumatize our children for the rest of their lives? Do we try to be normal and attempt to imitate the classroom setting, to ensure our children’s learning continues, since the school year wasn’t actually finished? Do we try homeschooling, unschooling and all those fancy parenting styles we read on the internet?

We’re again faced with the decision and responsibility of explaining the gravity of the situation to our children without instilling (or transferring our) fear. 

Such is parenting in the time of Corona. Our days are filled with anxiety and uncertainty. Going to the supermarket, a task we’ve mastered before now seems like a dangerous chore. We worry about our family, our community as the number of COVID cases rises every day. Yet we still try to spark hope and reach out to our frontliners, and teach our children to do the same. All of these while sounding like a broken record reminding everyone in our household to wash their hands.

And whether we like it or not, what is happening right now will affect our children’s lives in the future.   

Here comes the "silver lining:" We are now given the chance (and for some, the extra time) to change our children’s future. Being at home and being around us mean we can teach them things first hand. We can be available to them, to answer their questions and spark their curiosity. 

Photo by Christopher Ivanov on Unsplash

So if this is the new normal, and we’re building this new way of life for our kids, what attitude and beliefs would you like to be part of it? 

Personally, these are the things that I do NOT want my kids to consider as normal:

• Social distancing and quarantine. Or the lack of freedom. I want to go to the supermarket without having to wear a spacesuit, and worrying if the can of pork and beans I touched will make me sick. I want to be able to meet up with my friends and give my niece a hug. I want my kids to be able to play in the park again and go to the beach.
• Being paranoid with the people around me. I know I’m a “praning mom” and I’ve always warned my children about stranger danger, but I still don’t want them to live in a world where they are always anxious and suspicious. I want them to be carefree and trusting and see the good in people, instead of always looking for warning signs for anyone they meet.
• Hoarding. And people being selfish just because they can. Kids should know that there are plenty of blessings to go around. They should not keep taking just because they have the means, while others are left with nothing.

And if they aren’t yet, these SHOULD be part of the new normal:

• Practicing proper hygiene. Constant hand washing, taking a bath after coming from a public place.
• Praying together as a family. Praying for those who are not part of your social circle.
• Being a good citizen and following the law.
• Being mindful and considerate of others. People now know the importance of staying home when you’re sick, and not touching babies and old people.
• Respect for personal space. Maintaining a safe distance doesn’t mean you’re being a snob or “maselan.” It means you just want yourself and others to feel comfortable.
• Compassion for others. Sending out thank you notes to your doctor, get well soon cards and food to sick people should always be a part of the norm.
• Respect for those who make life easier for us. Not just our doctors and nurses, but also the supermarket attendants, delivery guys, cleaners and street sweepers.
• Respect for teachers. Okay, so it seems homeschooling is not for everyone. We should really honor the teachers for their dedication and the PATIENCE they have for our children. After this pandemic, we should all agree to give them higher pay and better working conditions.
• Respect for those who stay at home. If you’re reading this and you’re fed and safe (and without children constantly distracting you), thank your mom. Or your wife. Our work is REAL and running a tight ship isn’t easy. Now you know why we need a break, even if we “just stay at home.”
• Freedom of speech. I’m not the type to be political, but as Princess Jasmine sang, “I won’t be silenced.” If you raised your kids right, then you shouldn’t be afraid if they want to use their voice. Having a different opinion or questioning their leaders doesn’t make them ungrateful or unpatriotic.  So pay attention to your children. Raise them well so they only know how to speak the truth and they have the integrity to back their words with actions

Photo by Andrew Seaman on Unsplash

Some say we will never go back to the way it was before; we shouldn’t. 

And what we do today as parents, as citizens, as human beings will create a new normal for our children. So we should do our best to make sure we won’t have to say sorry to them in the future.

May we all emerge wiser, stronger and kinder after this pandemic.

Teach These Four Healthy Habits to Your Kids

Photo by Valeria Ushakova from Pexels

As parents, our ultimate goal is the safety and well-being of our children. We consult our doctors, read parenting books and exhaust all possible resources to make sure we’re doing the right things. And doing everything for them is not enough. We must be able to instill in our kids important lessons that they will remember and use throughout their lives.

With all the different parenting styles emerging and new information available out there, it can be pretty confusing to determine which things we should prioritize teaching our kids. But when it comes to health, there are some habits that are universally deemed as important. Being a parent myself, I’ve found that there are four main things that I should follow and implement to ensure my children’s well-being and prevent them from being sick.

Whether you read it on a website or consult a health practitioner, these four healthy habits always make the cut:

Drinking a lot of water

 

From blood circulation and cell growth to proper digestion and supporting the immune system, it’s a universal truth that our bodies would not function well without water. Dehydration or the lack of water in the body has serious health risks such as heat stroke, urinary and kidney problems, even headaches and constipation.

Educate your kid with the importance of drinking water and train him to make it his go-to drink. At six months, babies are allowed a little bit of water to go with their solids. So before you introduce juices and other sugary drinks in his diet, make sure that he has a good habit of drinking water first. Teach him to drink one glass of water after every meal. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also recommends drinking a glass of water before, during and after any physical activity to replace the fluids that were lost, and even more in hot, humid weather conditions.

Being physically active

 

Exercise has so many beneficial effects on our children’s bodies including improvement of their mental and emotional health, sharpening their motor skills, strengthening bones and muscles, and lowering the risk of life-threatening illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.

The AAP recommends at least 60 minutes of physical activity for children ages 6 and up. But as early as age 1, you can help your child develop a love for exercise and being physically active. Take him for a walk every morning or go to the playground. Simple exercises such as running and jumping are fun for kids too. When he’s big enough, introduce him to a sport and teach him some stretching exercises.

If going outside is not an option right now, you can still enjoy some physical activities indoors like doing kids Yoga or dance workouts on YouTube.

Teaching your child to be physically active will also lessen the risks that prolonged exposure to technology has on most kids today.

Hand Hygiene

 

According to the World Health Organization, our hands are the main pathways for germ transmission. A lot of bacteria and infectious diseases can be passed through handshakes or touching dirty surfaces.

With a communicable virus affecting millions of people around the world today, never has proper handwashing been more important. Teach your child to wash his hands with soap and water before and after meals, after using the toilet, after he coughs or sneezes and every time he comes home. Aside from washing his hands, tell him to refrain from rubbing his eyes or touching his face, and putting his fingers in his mouth when his hands are dirty to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Photo by CDC on Unsplash

Getting enough rest

 

After a long day, all we want is to rest our tired bodies and get some sleep. Well, not for our kids. They want to use up all their energy before they can say they’re ready for bed. But the AAP recommends a guideline of adequate sleep duration for different age groups for children to ensure their optimal health. This is because getting enough sleep leads to general wellness and improved quality of health, and lack of it can cause physical illness and behavioral problems to name a few.

Establishing a bedtime routine for your child is essential to develop a good sleeping habit. Setting a regular time for bed is the first step. Don’t wait for your baby to be yawning or throwing tantrums before you put them to bed. Other suggestions include turning off the TV and all screens at least 30 minutes before bedtime (or not putting those gadgets in your kid’s bedroom in the first place), taking a relaxing bath, reading a book and setting up the room (lighting) to be conducive to sleeping.


They may sound simple, but it’s essential for your child to acquire these healthy habits at an early age so they can stay fit and have a generally well-balanced life. Proper education, training, and modeling are key so that they can develop these valuable habits. It may require some effort on our part, but it’s worth it knowing that our kids will lead a healthy lifestyle in the long run.