ch #5 - WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS AT HOME DURING THE CORONAVIRUS DAYS

We need to stay home. To stay put. We cannot meet or have close contact with anyone. It’s the only way to limit the infection from spreading and to avoid hospitals collapse. 

These days, I see doctors pleading from the front line on social media to follow the guidelines and to stay at home.

Yesterday I read a message by Doctor Baggi, a surgeon at Brescia Hospital; I am grateful for his honesty, here is a short passage of his writing: 

If you had an accident tomorrow, or suffered from severe peritonitis, (they are still happening, by the way), you would risk finding no space in the ICU.

Sure, the coronavirus is lethal, especially for at-risk patients, but what about the other critical cases? Would they survive? They would, yes, but only if we, in the intensive care department, have the time and the capacity to cure them. In my brief experience as a doctor, I have never seen - as I see now - a whole ward occupied by patients with severe influenza. 

So, do we need to discuss this any further? I don’t think so. Are the measures taken to limit contact, such as the closing of bars, restaurants and schools necessary? I think so.

Pastimes - namely, what do with your kids at home during the Corona Days, while schools are locked down. (Vol 1)

I managed one week at home with the kids. I feel like a winner. I also realise that the pure improvisation of activities will not be enough in the coming weeks. I, therefore, have made a list of ideas of different things to do with the kids. I am happy to share it, and maybe someone will find it useful. And, of course, I am also more than happy to get suggestions, in case you have some! 

It also seems the weather won’t be ideal in the next days, and it won’t be easy to get out for some fresh air, so let’s get geared up! 

0. Homework

I know. A bad start. But that’s life. We cannot just hang out, chill and have fun. Let’s get that done, so we don’t need to think about it anymore. I believe it is essential to not forget about school; going back will be otherwise too traumatic an experience. Teachers will send lessons online, and we’re counting on it because there’s nothing more discouraging for young minds than some lousy homework invented by their parents. So, that’s a positive development. 

1. Chatting

Spending more time together, as a family, without the usual frenzy, favours the exchange of stories, of confidences. I’ve already found out things that, as a father of three girls, gave me an ‘allergic reaction’! Yesterday evening, they showed me a love letter, secretly handed over in the corridors of the elementary school on Valentine’s Day. Just saying… 

It is also crucial to talk about the news; let’s not pretend our kids don’t realise the emergency surrounding us. It is better to deal with the elephant in the room together openly.

2. Playing

As many of you know, my kids are between 4 and 12 years of age, so playing activities vary. From playdough (help me!!!) to Boggle, from card games, (we got a very nice one called the Sardines from our dear friends Emanuele and Marta) to drawing, to music listening sessions. These are the ones I can come up with for now. Oh, and the other day, the girls were putting makeup on their dolls. It was like a ‘Color Run’ in our living room!’

3. Ukulele

My 7-year-old has asked me to teach her to play the guitar (daddy’s pride!), but her hands are still too tiny to enjoy the instrument, and these days I don’t want to be a pedantic teacher. So, I took out the ukulele I bought some time ago, as many did, inspired by the ‘Into The Wild’ soundtrack by Eddie Vedder. 

She loves it! And, if that’s possible, I love it even more. Seeing her enjoying it and training is simply fantastic. 

I try not to delegate to the web the teaching, we’ve even started our notebook. Some tutorials, though, are adorable I must say: there’s this one guy playing Hakuna Matata with a SpongeBob-fashioned ukulele, who made us laugh a lot. I’d gladly offer him a beer to thank him for the fun we had looking at his performance. 

That’s all for now—Hakuna Matata, to all of you. Try not to worry too much, but also don’t hibernate! 

To be continued - 

I know you expect a list of films to watch. I am already nervous about that!

_____