Back 2 Basics cos of the Future - Corona Scare
CoronaVirus has hit.
CoronaVirus is REAL.
CoronaVirus is difficult to deal with.
Stay In. Wash hands. Be Safe.
Yes. All these things are all over the internet, newspapers, WhatsApp, maid-talk, grocery stores, family circle - literally - not just the talk of the town but the whole world.
And rightly so. Finally, we have become united in fighting off just 1 enemy and not making enemies out of each other - YET.
People are going crazy over hand-washing techniques and stock-piling not just food supplies but also sanitizers and of course Toilet Paper and maybe making an enemy or 2 on the way! But more than that the world around us is full of notions and horrifying images of being stuck at home with our better halves and off-springs. Its been more than a week that I had started feeling the pinch of the virus coming to India and the panicky person I am - I stopped sending N to school. It was only after few days of our state and later city being the worst hit, schools were asked to close down and children at home for a very long summer vacation.
And I heaved a bigger sigh of relief.
As soon as the news of schools being closed world-wide started coming up - the social media and was flooded with memes of harassed parents locked up in their homes with spouses and children. First it was funny - later it has just become amusing and to the point of being annoying too.
First of all - I admit - Yes, my routine has not been more than that of being quarantined for some time now. With J having erratic work schedules - WFH was the best solution to beat the stress for a long time. Now, N's presence is only an addition to the mix. It was a little too much to handle earlier, but with the current situation, the mind has accepted it as a very natural thing to do.
After I supported someone in the society WhatsApp group about keeping kids at home for 1 week or 2, i got couple of personal messages saying they completely agree but others don't. They just don't know what to do with their children for such long hours during the entire day. And at any other time - perhaps I would have been 1 of those people - but right now - its the CALL of the Hour, people!! No exceptions. It is better to isolate your child or yourself at home rather than in a hospital ward!!!
No - I am not judging people for whom its tough to be at home or their jobs are at stake for being at home cos of their kids. I am sure its not easy. But the question again - what's the point of keeping kids away from schools and send them on playdates or birthday parties or garden play and put them at risk??
And just like people who want to play safe aren't judging the one's who cannot - it will be awfully nice if its vice versa. Please do not judge us for being protective not just for ourselves but others too!
Moreover, Its really not that bad to have a minimalistic routine at home without any fancy stuff going on. Its a healthy change to do activities other than going to a mall or kids play area, going to restaurants, going to several extra-curricular activities and slogging off the entire day.
I am actually loving this time with N this time. She is all the time with me just like old times!! Yes, its getting boring - not having any friend to play with at all - is a little frustrating too especially in the evenings. But its ok. All I have to do is re-instate the fact that its SAFE for all kids, all family members.. and she is ok with it.
Again, unlike all the fancy activities on social media - I haven't started indulging her in anything tooo out of the way.
Slowly asking her to make subtle changes in her routine,
doing small chores around the house,
cook simple dishes,
facetiming with her friend,
and starting off with simple art or craft activities - is helping the day go by.
And I am so proud of having such wonderful and thoughtful friends around who are doing exactly the same. A and H are 2 such examples - they are helping their boys also to learn to cook! It's very gratifying to know that the next generation is on the right track - thanks to conscious moms :-D
So without giving too much gyaan, I would really encourage each of you to not take this isolation as a punishment but a way of getting back to our roots, reconnecting with our children and teaching them the basics just like our Time Outs for them! As someone rightly said - Not all Learning happens in the Classrooms! :-)
#socialdistancing #selfisolation #gobacktoroots #gobacktobasics #fightcorona #unitedwestand
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