Parenting is a journey....

 5 ways to bye-bye 2020

2020 was distinctive for everyone including children. It was spent differently, for instance, wearing a mask, following 2-meter physical distance and frequent hand washing were mandatory. The lockdown was encountered first time ever in history, and inconvenient for many people to pursue restrictions, and harder for children in many ways. There are 5 healthy ways for children to say bye-bye to 2020

1. Say goodbye to 2020: At this time of the COVID 19 pandemic, people are stressed and want some happiness and joy. Say goodbye to 2020 with your family, prepare some feast, dressed up nicely and have some photos for officially saying goodbye. This way saying good, affect your feelings and emotions. Many things have to say goodbye to 2020 including habits, way of thinking and more importantly, teach your child that let it go and go

2. Reflect on 2020: Let your child reflect on 2020. Let the emotions and feelings vent, don't forget to validate their sentiments. At this time of the COVID 19 pandemic and end of this year, everyone needs to reflect on 2020. End of this year, the family sit together and reflect on 2020. Don't forget to support each other 

3. Gratitude for 2020: Don't forget to practice gratitude at the end of 2020 with your children. Appreciate and be thankful for whatever you have in your life. Make gratitude a ritual for your family. Children might be grateful for being healthy, having a roof over their head, having support from parents and many other things in their life. Children can write a gratitude note for their parents, siblings, teachers, friends, neighbours and for grandparents for their untiring effort and support

4. Coping strategies practiced in 2020: Let your child focus on the strategies, that helped better cope with the effect of the COVID 19 pandemic. Help them understand coping strategies and also let them realize those coping strategies would benefit 2021. For practical and functionality purposes, prepare a list of coping strategies that help them most and add something new for 2021. For instance, the list has 5 coping strategies, this time you can add 2 more and discuss them with your child. Let them practice

5. Resolutions for 2021: Help your child prepare some realistic resolutions for 2021. Resolutions or goals have to be SMART and realistic at this time of the COVID 19 pandemic. Resolutions will help them to focus on and influence their behaviour. At this time of the COVID 19 pandemic, try to invest something in self-care including physical, and emotional care 

If you have any question or concern, please feel free to comment below

Parenting is a journey.....Winter holidays (part two)

How to spend holidays at this time of the COVID 19 Pandemic: Some fun-loving strategies to follow mindfully 

1. Meditation time: At this time of the COVID 19 pandemic, meditation time is an essential requirement for better cope with the effect of the novel coronavirus. This pandemic not only affecting everyone physically but emotionally too. Meditation time for children, for instance, listening to meditation tune, yoga posture, deep breathing and mindfulness movements. Best timing for practicing, before sleeping and after wakening up in the morning and during the day if the child is not feeling relax or calm

2. Bubble bath: Throughout this holiday season, a bubble bath for a child is a classic idea to enjoy and soothes emotions. Bubble baths can be taken to the next level by adding some calming music, lit some candles and let the children enjoy. This type of bubble bath is soothing and pacifying, let them try it this holiday season

3. Practice gratitude: Gratitude is a natural antidepressant, given the fact that whenever mind shifts or look at the positive side, it releases chemicals that induce happiness, joy and elevate mood. Make it a routine with your child to practice gratitude. It can be practiced before having meals, during a walk, before sleeping and whenever having happy moments, just be grateful and appreciative. Let them write a gratitude note everyday, after spending some time, it will be their habit

4. See older photos and videos: A glimpse of older photos and videos always induce pleasure and happiness. This holiday season, revisiting pictures, photographs, and videos will benefit children to reconnect with the stunning junctures of their life

5. A word of the day exercise: As a mental health practitioner, I would highly recommend a word of the day activity. A word is selected for the day and request children to describe its significance and usage. You can help them to understand it's worth and knowledge. For instance, ACCEPTANCE is the word of the day and let your children interpret, describe and make a sense of it. Here is the tricky part: during the day from time to time, you can describe acceptance, how it affects our relationship, and make our life easy if we accept each other, let them write a note about acceptance. For younger children, let them memorize the spelling. Words can be used for this activity at this time of the COVID 19 pandemic, respect, care, values, kindness, health, resiliency, sympathy, civilization, community, compassion, happiness, satisfaction, siblings, parents and value of a home. You can choose a word according to your culture, values and requirements. It will help a child to better understand and practice values

6. Talk to them about physical and emotional health: This pandemic is not only affecting our mental and physical health but affecting our children's emotional health. At this time of the holiday season, you can discuss dimensions connected to physical and emotional wellbeing. Let them read an article about self care etc

7. Watch motivational videos or listen to a podcast: This holiday season, particularly this time, everything has changed and encountered differently. Watching motivational videos or listening to a podcast, is another way to keep morale intensified at this time of the COVID 19 pandemic. Podcast and videos positively impact children's mood and attitude

8. Virtual tours/shows: At this time of the COVID 19 pandemic, all facilities are terminated but allowing free virtual journeys for the public. Nowadays the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto Zoo, Ripley Aquarium and Art Gallary of Ontario allow free virtual tours. let your child explore facilities and enjoy virtually

9. Winter recreational activities: Winter is truly a fun time at this time of the COVID 19 pandemic while staying at home. Weather indicates that upcoming days are filled with snow, children can be taken for snow sliding, making snowman and snow balls to play with. Take your family outdoor while snowing, walk and enjoy mindfully. It's a calming and soothing workout, don't forget to capture these cherished moments

10. A long drive: Preparations are progressing well for welcome new year's eve but it is being celebrated differently at this time. Take your children for a long drive and show them all lighting at the end of 2020. I might be taken children Niagra falls for a long drive 

11. Virtual party with friends: Let your children have a virtual gathering during this holiday season. Children will be connecting via zoom or WhatsApp video call. Let them follow a theme for food, clothing, or wearing a costume. It will be a fun activity for children 

12. Talk to grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins: This holiday season, while restrictions are imposed, children can not visit their grandparents or meet their cousins. Video or audio call is a wonderful approach to connect with the loved one, here or back home

If you have any question or concern, please feel free to comment below

Parenting is a journey.....Winter holidays (part one)

How to spend holidays at this time of the COVID 19 Pandemic: some fun-loving strategies to follow mindfully

At this time of the COVID 19 pandemic, holidays are around the corner and spend differently than before. As a mental health practitioner and a parenting coach, I want to share some fun-loving, helpful and important approaches to pursue mindfully. As a mom of three children, I planned some activities that are already outlined and discussed with my children. You might get inspired by some of the concepts

1. Structure and prepare in advance for each day: It is an excellent approach to plan each day. It will help you to organize a day, once you commencing this holiday season. While outlining, you can ask your children to add ventures for the day that fascinate them. It's easy to open a planner and follow recorded activities. It will convey enthusiasm, pleasure and satisfaction to their life. At the end of the day, children could tick ✔ activities that already performed, it will convey a sense of accomplishment to them

2. Get prepared/ready and welcome each day: This season, while staying at home, after having breakfast, dress up appropriately, do hairstyling and get ready to embrace each day (not in pyjamas or night suits). It might be communicating a sense of readiness, transition, and will bring a desire to accomplish something. It has a positive influence on your emotional health 

3. A daily trek and snapshot of nature: Walk has to pursue religiously, throughout this holiday season at this time of the COVID 19 pandemic, youngsters will be moving with you for a trek and you can add some adventure for them to let them carry their cameras to capture stunning trek and field. Kids will be in the natural environment, connect with nature and spend some time outdoors while maintaining physical distancing and wearing a mask. It will have a positive impact on their physical and mental health

4. Watch a movie that has a moralistic message: There are a variety of movies that teaches valuable lessons and create a positive impression on their young minds. After watching a movie, they can write a reflection and you have a conversation regarding moral teaching in that movie. You can ask, for instance, what is the inspiration and messages are learnt? Movies could be watched during this holiday season, for instance, English winglish, Ramchand Pakistani, I am kalam, Chalk and duster, Hichki, baby day out, Stanely ka Dabba, The Lion King, Elf, Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory, Home alone, Our planet, Finding Nemo, The Bee, Mulan, and 3 idiots. All of these movies have a strong message and have a positive influence on children's well-being. Comment below, what are the movies you are going to watch with your family this holiday season? Your suggestions can help someone to find a good movie

5. Preparing favourite meals for them: This holiday season, at this time of the COVID 19 pandemic, cooking delicious feasts for your family will be a yummy surprise for them. All of their favourite meals can be cooked or baked. Baking is a really fun and highly engaging activity for youngsters. You can find any recipe or video on YouTube, for instance, Chinese cuisine, Italian menu, Pakistani dishes, Russian courses, Hyderabadi meals, Fast Food and anything you imagine. This time soothes taste bud and eats nutritious food. Don't forget to consume fresh fruits and vegetables

6. Play board games every day, at least one: This holiday season is different, try to bring positivity and joy in the family environment and incorporate one game to play with your family daily. Games could be played with the family, for instance, liddo, Chinese checker, Cards, Puzzles and Kids' charades (the fun acting game). Playing these games provoke laughter, enjoyment, happiness at home and also strengthen family ties. What is your family's favourite game that plays together? Feel free to comment below as it might be a source of inspiration for someone

7. One country a day: At this time of the COVID 19 pandemic, I found one country a day activity highly entertaining and fascinating. Select a country and watch its historical and cultural documentary on YouTube or national geographic. Kids will learn a culture, food, currency, customs, geographic location and related information. Kids can track that country on a Google map and calculate its distance, and find neighbouring countries. This activity is free of cost and producing a long-lasting impression on youngsters mind

8. Reading time: This season has to be utilized wisely. You can request a child to read for you and then explain the given scenario. This way, a child will use imagination to explain the concept and on the other side, it will benefit them to develop their comprehension skills. My middle one is skilled at interpreting concepts and the youngest one a soft reader. I appreciate and enjoy both versions

9. Paint some rocks: This holiday season is distinct than before, I and the kids are going to paint rocks for my upcoming blogs and publications. we also plan to paint some emojis rocks, gratitude rocks, positive rocks, and compassion rocks. Painting rocks improve focus, concentration, eye-hand coordination, fine motor skills and releases stress and anxiety symptoms. Same benefits could be achieved through painting, doodling, sketching and drawing. I would recommend these activities for the holiday season at this time of the COVID 19 pandemic

10. Deep breathing competition: If you have more than one child, practice deep breathing competition, for instance, ask them to take a deep breath from their nose, hold it for a moment then blow out from mouth with a whooshy sound. Count their deep breath. Deep breathing stimulates them to release stress, tension, worry or relax/calm them down instantly at this time of the COVID 19 pandemic while staying at home during this holiday season

11. Help them to set their closet: You can teach them a variety of skills, while helping them to set their closet, for instance, how to organize/arrange garments, folding clothes, arrange in a sequence and maintaining a wardrobe. Keep supporting them, one day, you will be surprised 

12. Prepare donation box: Educate them on the significance of donation by preparing a donation box. Any gift items, clothing, books, stationaries, shoes, toys or anything extra or not in use. You can purchase some brand-new articles for donation and discuss their meaning with them (To be continued)

 If you have any question or concern, please feel free to ask or comment below