If you’re at home with your kids, we understand how hard it is to balance everything that’s happening right now. Here is a quick guide—to help you through this difficult season:
Parents, don’t be hard on your children. Raise them properly. Teach them and instruct them about the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)
If you’re like many parents we know, day by day, you’re trying to handle meals, figure out school, and manage your kids’ boredom, all while worrying about your job and your future. We want you to know that we are here for you. Regardless of your children’s ages, it’s likely they have questions about everything happening. Almost overnight, all the daily routines that they relied on for stability changed. One of the best things we can do for them right now is to establish a new “normal.”
Here are 3 things you can try at different times throughout the day to help your kids adjust:
1 – Ask your kids what they’re thinking about. Then listen. Even if they say difficult or troubling things, try not to show alarm on your face. Your kids need a safe space to talk, and the opportunity to fully express their thoughts and feelings in their own words. Be the example you want to see in your house. Remember also to take time to care for yourself spiritually during this time, so that you’ll be able to give your kids the emotional support they need. Do you need some peace and encouragement?
Fear, sadness, anxiety, anger. It’s hard to make sound decisions when our emotions are compromised. Take care of your emotional health by actively seeking out peace, encouragement, and truth in the Word of God! Let God’s Word speak peace into you. Try using YouVersion Rest on YouTube to hear Psalms in a soothing voice, with soft, peaceful sounds in the background, like ocean waves or rain. You can also listen to it on Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and with the YouVersion Bible App in the Video section.
2 – Pray with your kids, on a schedule. Praying is just having a conversation with God, telling Him what you’re thinking and feeling, asking for things you need, and thanking Him (even for small victories). You can pray anytime, but doing it together in the morning, at mealtimes, and at bedtimes is an easy way to build some routine into each day.
Here’s a simple prayer example: Dear Jesus, thank You for our family. Help us to love each other, take care of each other, and be kind. Please show us how we can love our neighbors and our friends. Thank You. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.
3 – Clearly define your days. If your kids have been used to a weekly schedule—with you at work and them at school or daycare—the days may start blurring together when everyone’s home. Giving each day of the week its own theme can help you build a rhythm, a sense of structure.
Here are a few fun examples:
Taco Tuesday – Don’t have taco ingredients? Make sandwiches, taco style, folded in half.
Wacky Wednesday – Wear socks that don’t match. Type “recipe” into Google, with a list of whatever random ingredients you have, and make that together.
Funny Friday – Play together. Be silly. Make jokes. Watch a funny movie or TV show. Make Friday night Family Game Night.
Special Sunday – Worship God together. And remember to take a picture of your family watching service online together and email it to delaneychurch@gmail.com. This is a fun way we can see pics of all of us worshiping together, at a distance! These will be shown at the beginning of each week’s service to help us stay connected with each other!
Join in Delaney’s church service online with any of these three ways:
1 – Our website
2 – Facebook page
3 – YouTube channel
You can also watch videos of our Children’s Church Lessons together, and talk about it. Access these Lessons on our Kid-Stuff page.
Credits: Excerpts from YouVersion