The most important thing right now is for your ʻohana to find your groove. Figure out a regular daily schedule that works for all of you. Wake up, have meals, and go to sleep at consistent times. Spend time together and spend time apart. Keiki need to learn how to just be by themselves too, it’s a valuable skill. Also, you shouldn’t have to be “on” for them all day.

Don’t feel like you need to structure your day like school. Home is not school and doesn’t need to be. Embed some structured daily activities into your regular schedule like practicing writing (their name, worksheets, whatever) and reading stories together, but make sure there is lots of time for play and outdoor activities. “Work” shouldn’t exceed 15 minutes at a time unless it’s your keiki’s choice. Give keiki time to play by building (blocks, Legos, Solo cups, toilet paper rolls, etc.) as well as play by creating (playing pretend, drawing, painting, using recycled materials to build robots or machines). Active movement time is important too. If you can’t get your keiki outside to play (climb, run, jump, ride bike, dig in the dirt, hunt for bugs or rocks, etc.), jam to some music inside or search for some movement songs to follow on YouTube. Keeping our bodies moving is important for our physical health as well as our mental well-being.

Try your best to keep your own stress levels down. Your keiki is so tuned in to you that they feel it when you’re stressed out and it can be confusing and scary for them. If things get too crazy and you don’t know where to turn, we are still here for you. Shoot us a text or email any time; our school counselor is happy to help where she can.