5 Tips For All Moms Parenting During Quarantine

The pandemic has not been easy on anyone, especially our kids. For so many, it has seemed like the world around us changed overnight. From the places we could no longer go, the things we could no longer do, the people we could no longer see, and even how we dressed. Masks became a needed accessory. All these changes also affected you as a mom. Parenting during quarantine is a whole new world.

I can remember when the pandemic started and it was assumed that in a few weeks of staying home everything would go back to ‘normal’. We made a few adjustments to our at-home routines, but for the most part, we kept things as they were. Yet, as we all have seen as time has continued to go on with no definitive end to the pandemic insight keeping things the same is no longer an option.

Going to school was no longer an option, having sports activities was not an option, and even going to church stopped. This has caused all of us moms to start thinking fast on our feet. Trying to adjust where we could and look for new things for our kids to do while at home.

With all the together time it has been overwhelming and stressful for us all, especially us moms. As a mom of three, managing all three personalities while being constantly together has not been easy. Motherhood never comes with an instruction manual. When Covid-19 hit the world and quarantine became a household word the things we thought we knew seemed to go out of the window.

Limiting certain things, such as electronics and snacks became a thing of the past because there is only so much to do at home. As we have all started to adjust to our new normal, at least for the time being, it is important to remember that just because how we parent may have changed, this does not mean it has to be for the worst.

There have been so many life lessons we all have learned during quarantine. Opportunities to reflect and refine us in so many ways. Not just personally and spiritually, but also in our marriages. The lessons do not just stop there. There have been so many parenting lessons learned as well, with a few we should take with us when the pandemic is over.

As a woman, wife, and mom, you want to grow through what you go through, especially in parenting. So here are 5 tips about parenting during quarantine that you can hold on to for the years to come.

Your Kids Needs Change Like The Seasons

Making it important that you adapt as well. It is so easy for you to want things to stay the same. Especially in parenting because it is all on the job training anyway. Once you have learned how to navigate one thing you want to be able to hold onto that.

Yet, every mom knows that just when you think you have things all under control, things change. Your kids are no exception and this has been especially evident during quarantine.

Just trying to adjust to going from in-person school to virtual school was a big hurdle for so many, especially my girls. This change also came with me becoming a homeschool teacher again. I homeschooled my twins for preschool, but quickly realized that we all needed a traditional school format for our family.

Yet, this traditional plan went out the window when the pandemic hit. Like with so many other things in your child’s life, you have to be open and willing as a mom to adjust to the changes. Just like when your child went from an infant to toddler, preschool to school-aged, when they go through puberty, and the list can go on and on.

As a mom, you have to always remember that one of the constant things in your life and your kids’ life is change. So choosing to go with it instead of fighting against it is an important lesson for us all. Not just for parenting during a pandemic, but for years to come because nothing ever stays the same.

Parenting During Quarantine Reminds Us That Everyone Needs Space

As a mom, you know that the time you have to spend with and raise your kids is limited. They grow up so fast. Making it important that you are intentional about the time you do spend with your kids.

Taking the time and opportunities to help your kids learn, grow, and create lasting memories. Even in the midst of quarantine, we have all probably created some amazing memories together. Yet even with all the lessons learned and memories created, as moms, we have to be mindful that too much togetherness is not good for our kids or us.

Encouraging togetherness and the bonds of family is important. God created us to be in a relationship with each other and to thrive in our relationships. God also created us all as uniquely beautiful individuals that need to be encouraged and nurtured as well.

Finding time and ways for your kids to have time and space just for them is so important. This can be done no matter how old your child is or how big your space is.

I can remember when my girls were young, even with my twins, I was intentional about having them spend time alone being able to self entertain. Whether in their crib or play space. This helps to foster independence and also gives you a break.

Now that my girls are older, during quarantine, I make sure every day that they all get some time alone. Whether in their room or our basement play space. This is important because over time all the together time can cause emotions to run high.

Making it important that as moms we are intentional about nurturing our kids as individuals as well. Giving them the space and the time to just be and do things they like.

Being with your kids all day is a lot. So making sure as you are giving your kids space, you are also taking space and time for yourself because you need as much if not more than they do.

Your Kids Are More Capable Than You Realize

If you are anything like me you often think “If I want something done right, I need to just do it myself”. Although this may be true in certain situations, it is not always true. An important parenting tip to remember.

As a mom, you model so much to your kids. From how to speak, to how to interact with others, to how to get things done, and so on.

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,
Titus 2:7 (ESV)

Being the biggest role model in your kids’ lives is so important. Making it also important to not just model things for your kids, but to also give them opportunities to do the things that they know or are learning to do.

Your kids are so much more capable and resilient than you think. The changes that have come with the pandemic and being in quarantine have definitely affected your kids. In some good and bad ways. Yet, despite the ups and downs we all have experienced, your kids are still learning and growing in some amazing ways.

By giving them more opportunities to show their growth and be stretched is one of the best things you can do for your kids. This can be done in simple ways by giving them more responsibilities around your home.

Since my girls could walk, I started teaching them about responsibility. Having them do things as simple as putting their toys back, with help at that age of course. Over time the responsibilities and independence they received grew as well.

During the pandemic, I have been increasing their responsibilities around the house as well. Some things I was not sure would work out well. Yet, my girls, like I know your kids often do, surprised me. With some help and some positive coaching, they have shown not only are they capable, but have also started to take pride in having needed roles within our home.

Knowing that not only do my husband, Eric, and I rely on them to do things, but so do their sisters. It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child. Although during quarantine our villages have gotten a lot smaller. It does not mean we cannot be the village we need in our own home.

Parenting During Quarantine Reminds Us That Everyone Needs Scheduled Down Time

This kind of goes hand in hand with parenting tip #2 that everyone needs space. Keeping your kids occupied and entertained can often feel like a full-time job since we are spending so much time together at home. This entertainment time for so many of us has turned into screen time.

Whether it is television, tablets, or a phone. The amount of time that we have all spent in front of screens over the last year has greatly increased. This is also not just for entertainment either. With having to practice social distancing, staying connected with family and friends often means looking at a screen as well.

I know we are grateful for the ability to stay connected electronically. While staying connected and entertained is important, we have to make sure our kids, and us as well, are getting time away from all the screens.

This should be intentional and scheduled downtime, if necessary. To allow their minds and body to rest.

Now I know this is a lot easier when your kids are younger and are still taking naps. Yet even as your kids get older and no longer nap during the day, they still need down time during the day.

For my girls, we call it rest time. Rest time lasts for about 30 minutes and it cannot involve any electronics. They have to spend 30 minutes in their room doing something alone and quietly. Sometimes they read, color, do puzzles, or whatever. The choice is up to them.

Making sure your kids have this down time is not just great for your kids, but is also great for you. Giving yourself a much needed mommy break is definitely needed during quarantine.

Be Intentional About Investing In Your Kids Interests

Just like you kids change over time, so do their interests. This has been especially true during quarantine. The things that your kids enjoyed doing before may not be available to them now. However, because of their resilience, they often start to express interest in new things.

Somethings you can see and understand like cooking and Youtube. Then there are those things that seem to come out of the blue.

For my girls, it was dance and musical instruments. With everything not being open and knowing once things do open again they already have a full schedule of activities, it could have been easy for me to say ‘No’.

However, as moms, it is important to let our kids explore new interests both during and after the pandemic. Because although you know a lot about your child you do not know everything.

God has gifted and blessed your child with so much that has yet to even been revealed. Making it so important that as moms we give them the opportunity to explore new things. Things that can first be done at home until you know they are serious.

For example, one of my daughters wanted to do hip hop dance, so she now does it virtually once a week. Then another one of my daughters wanted to learn more about musical instruments, now she watches Youtube to learn new songs on the recorder she received in school.

Whether they will stick with these long term, I am not sure. I do know that one of the best things we can do for our kids is to give them the space and opportunities to try new things because we never know if that new thing is something that they were meant to do.

Whoever said this parenting thing was not easy was telling the absolute truth. It is also the biggest blessing and gift as well. The pandemic has created a lot of uncertainty and challenges. Growing and stretching us in so many ways. Showing us that parenting during a pandemic is definitely not easy, but the parenting lessons we learned are price less.

I’d love to know what is one lesson you learned parenting during quarantine in the comments!