No matter where you are in the world, by now you have most likely been effected by Coronavirus, AKA Covid-19. Here in the Czech Republic we are on our official second week of distance learning and in the midst of increasing quarantine restrictions require us to remain in our homes as much as possible. Sound familiar? If not, you’re probably not far behind, so I wanted to share some essential steps to help make your time at home a bit more enjoyable.

1. Quiet Time

The most important part of my day is waking up early to start my routine. It’s so rewarding to begin the day with prayer, meditation, exercise, journaling, reflection or anything that gets you started on a positive note. Whether you’re able to do one or all of these things, I encourage you to do something to set the tone for yourself and your family.

This quarantine lifestyle comes with unexpected challenges and emotions. Protecting our peace and creating a positive environment is so vital to not only adjusting, but doing so with joyful intention!

If you’d like to see a sample of my morning routine, check out this video on IGTV.

2. Have a Plan During Quarantine

When I start the day with a plan, it alleviates my anxiety about all the things that need to be done. The days I’m winging it I’m usually more stressed, and it shows in my communication and general mood.

Start thinking the night before about what all needs to be accomplished the following day and add it to your electronic or paper calendar. For example, map out what time you’ll wake up each day to start your quiet time, when you’ll wake the kids and make breakfast, what time you should begin the first learning session, what’s on the menu for lunch & dinner, etc.

The beginning phase of the quarantine process might feel more like a vacation (anything goes…no bedtimes, unlimited screen time, etc.) but the sooner you implement structure into your routine the better things will be for the long haul.

For FREE Daily Schedule click here!

3. Take a Break

Usually by mid-day, I’m in need of some quiet time to center myself again after a morning filled with video chats, school work, “may I have a snack?”, fussing over Barbies, and lots of high pitched squeals. #GirlMomProbs 🙂

It works best for my break to coincide with the girls’ quiet time after lunch. Some days I have them head outside while I prepare lunch, but lately I’ve been going out with them afterwards so I can utilize that time to exercise. Y’all this change in our routine has been a game changer for me! I’ve been more consistent with my workout routine and I actually look forward to it!

On the days the girls have formal quiet time, I enjoy curling up in my over-sized chair near the window to read as the sunshine recharges me. 🙂 We’re no longer in the napping phase so they’re supposed to lie down and either read or play quietly. If I’m being honest that doesn’t happen most days, but as long as they remain in their room without keeping up too much noise I avoid that battle.

Thirty minutes of reading, writing, exercise or even napping works wonders for getting through the rest of the day.

4. Don’t Take it Personal

When we think of not taking things personally, it doesn’t usually apply to the little people in our lives. However, the more I’ve reflected on my parenting I’ve come to realize that the reason I was getting so frustrated had less to do with my kids’ behavior and more to do with my personal hang ups. How does this make ME look to others? What am I doing wrong for my kids to be behaving this way?

I don’t have it all figured out, but I’m learning that there are times their behavior stems from an inability to communicate what they’re really feeling inside. If you’re doing as much as you can to parent intentionally it’s likely that this is the case for you as well.

Some behavior patterns are definitely a reflection of us as parents, and in those instances it’s up to us to see ourselves in our children and choose to show them a better example. The danger comes in beating yourself up about it instead of taking steps to improve the behavior.

Keep in mind we’re all in unfamiliar territory. Schedules have been disrupted, physical play dates cancelled, outings forbidden, and so much more. Give yourself and your little ones a little more grace today. We will get through this one day at a time.

5. End with Gratitude & a Plan

When I was out here mothering three kids under 3, my friend gave me a mantra that stuck with me. “The days are long but the years are short”. It was so true for me then and still resonates today. No matter how hard the days might be, when we think about the brevity of life we can appreciate the small things that bless us in tremendous ways.

Before you close your eyes tonight, I encourage you to jot down 3-5 things you’re thankful for today. What made you smile? What are some small things that now seem so big under these new circumstances? While you’re at it, go ahead and make your plan for tomorrow. Things won’t always go accordingly, and that’s okay. The important thing is to create a structure to keep you on track so that life can go on in the midst of these challenging times.

• Today I’m thankful for my neighbors who volunteered to sew masks & share them free of charge with people in the community that had no access to them otherwise (as they are now required any time you step outside).
• I’m also thankful that my girls played well together. Less fussing than yesterday is a win in my book!
• I’m super grateful for the sunshine and great weather we’ve had the past few days, which makes this process a bit easier
• Most importantly, I’m thankful that God has given me peace in the middle of this storm

I hope you’ve found some of the tips here useful. I’d love to hear what’s helping you cope with quarantine in the comments. We can all use a little extra inspiration!

I’m rooting for you. You WILL get through this, and if you do it with intention you’ll be even better on the other side!

If you’re more of a video person, I’ve got you!  Click HERE to watch this info on my You Tube channel instead. Extra thanks for those willing to share this with all the moms out there under quarantine!!