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girl virtual learning

2020 Back to School: New Challenges for Parents

girl virtual learning

While summer is still coming to a close in some parts of the country, many states are already gearing up for a new school year. Back to school can be stressful at the best of times, but after a spring of remote learning amid the Covid-19 spread, sending our little ones back to the classroom – online, in-person or a hybrid of the two – is daunting. 

The CDC has released recommendations for schools to reopen with guidelines on social distancing, wearing masks, temperature checks and alternate schedules to reduce classroom sizes. However, balancing safety with continued academic growth can feel like walking a tightrope with so many restrictions. Below are three ways to tackle the new challenges.

Make safety rules fun

You’ve probably spent the entire summer reminding your child about the everyday precautions he or she needs to take to prevent getting sick. As they go back to school, here are some fun ways to reinforce COVID-19 safety rules: 

  • Find your child a comfortable mask and reward them for the time they wear it by doing fun things, such as playing games, coloring, reading books or dancing, while they have it on. Don’t forget to use positive reinforcement when they wear a mask. 
  • You can also make the mask itself fun by having your child decorate it to make it their own. If it’s a paper mask, they can use stickers. If it’s fabric, they can use fabric paint on the outside. Find fabrics that reflect their personality, like their favorite superhero. 
  • Washing hands thoroughly is more important than ever. Tell your child to sing a song, like the ABC’s, when they wash their hands. They can sing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” or “Happy Birthday” or another favorite – the main thing is it should be a 20 second long song to get all of the germs off. 

Listen to your child’s concerns

The question all parents are asking is how will COVID-19 impact my child’s mental health? It’s important to keep an eye out for anxiety in your child that could be a result of new protocols, including changes in sleep patterns, continually seeking reassurance despite already receiving an answer and acting out. 

Parents also have a new set of challenges with managing their own stress around the pandemic and trying to remain calm while listening to children’s concerns. In order to help support your child’s mental health about the changes at school as a result of COVID-19, parents can:

  • Encourage conversations about the new school safety rules
  • Practice the new safety rules at home to reinforce success in the classroom
  • Acknowledge and validate your child’s feelings if they are scared or anxious
  • Reassure your child that a lot of adults are working hard to keep everyone safe
  • Maintain sleeping, eating, and general family household routines
  • Facilitate age-appropriate opportunities for children to make choices, giving them a sense of safety and control

Whether your child is concerned about having to wear a mask all day or what might happen if there’s a confirmed case at school, make sure you’re listening intently, empathizing often and helping your child cope with his or her feelings in a reassuring manner.

Let your parental instincts guide you

In a time when almost any activity outside your home comes with a risk, don’t be afraid to lean into your parental instinct. With many schools offering the option of online learning, you may be keeping your kids in 100% online classes this school year or semester. Knowing how important classroom learning and socialization are for your child, you may have decided that you’ve done your homework when it comes to safely sending your child back to school.

No matter what you’ve chosen, trust your own instincts and feel confident that you’ve made the right decision for your child and your family. Try to stay positive, remember that it takes time to acclimate to change and set realistic expectations. Your example is one they are exposed to more than any classroom or teacher. If your child hears you speaking optimistically about the school year, they will adopt that attitude.

gender reveal

10 Creative Ways to Do a Gender Reveal During COVID-19

From the moment you start sharing your pregnancy news, the first question you probably get from everyone is “Are you having a boy or a girl?” In recent years, a popular way for expecting parents to reveal the gender of their new addition has been by hosting a gender reveal party with family and friends.

However, with social distancing practices still in effect due to the coronavirus pandemic, parents-to-be are having to get creative with how they share the news. But luckily, you can still have an exciting gender reveal party with your closest friends and family by inviting them to join the reveal remotely, thanks to Facebook Live, IGTV, Zoom or Google Hangouts.

If you find yourself stuck on how to reveal your baby’s gender to friends and family, then keep reading for creative gender reveal ideas for all types.

Bath Bomb Reveal

Either make your own gender reveal bath bomb or buy one online. When the time comes, fill a plastic container or your tub with water, and drop the bath bomb in, letting it reveal if it’s a boy or a girl. Guests can watch live as the bath bomb fizzles!

Water Balloon Fight

Host a virtual gender reveal party where you and your partner have a water balloon fight while the rest of your family and friends get to watch! Lay 10 water balloons out in a row and let your guests vote on which one to throw next. Have one filled with either pink or blue colored water so that, when it breaks, the gender is revealed!

Sing It, Baby!

Make a specific playlist filled with songs with titles like “Let’s Hear it For the Boy” or “I’m Just A Girl”. Send it out to family and friends as a musical way to share the news.

Blowing Bubbles

Each expectant parent blows a bubble with either pink or blue bubblegum. Then, the parent with the incorrect gum color has their bubble popped during a virtual session!

Sibling Love

Make a custom shirt for your baby’s older sibling in either blue or pink and snap a family picture to post on social media. Cute messages like “I’m the Oldest!” are always a winner.

Booties Reveal

Another good way to tell your loved ones is to buy or make a set of crocheted booties in blue or pink. Then, ship them out and wait for the delighted phone calls!

Cake Pop Reveal

Make cake pops with white cake inside, colored blue or pink depending on your baby’s gender. Get your video camera going as you feed one another a cake pop and reveal the color inside to everyone watching! We also love the cakes that explode with a colorful candy treat. 

Gumball Guessing Game

Mail your tribe a bag of gumballs filled with an equal number of blue and pink gumballs. Add one extra gumball to the bag that’s either pink or blue, depending on your baby’s gender. Have everyone look at the bags and try to guess the gender before they dump them out and quickly count the gumballs during your virtual party for the big reveal.

Dress Up the Pup

If you’re already a parent to a fur baby, feature your pet in the big reveal video by dressing them up in a special t-shirt, collar or accessory and then calling them into the room with you while you’re streaming with family and friends!

Blacklight Reveal

Write the gender in blacklight markers on a white poster board. When everyone has joined your virtual gender reveal party, flip off the lights and turn on your blacklight flashlight for the grand reveal.