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Summary: Are you looking for ideas to fill time during this pandemic with transformative activities that bring more fulfillment & fun to both you and your kids? Here are 4 suggestions to enrich your mind, body & spirit!

Parents are talking about the challenges that they’re having… managing the kids being home all day. Those who are used to home-schooling may not find this to be quite as difficult. Home schooling as a choice, made by parents intending to stay home with the kids, feels quite different than parents who have lost their jobs suddenly being forced to become a teacher.

Some parents and kids can find themselves living in a victim mindset, with their day-to-day lives not being what they planned at all. Kids may have expected to be in choir, plays, sports, and enjoying prom or graduation ceremonies with friends and family. Some parents may also be disappointed that they aren’t able to enjoy working in their field, enjoying the company of co-workers and getting some time away from home. This can be quite a let down…causing sadness, depression or just plain boredom.
If you can relate…you may be looking for ideas to fill the gaps with transformative activities that bring more fulfillment & fun to both you and your kids. Here are 4 suggestions to enrich your mind, body & spirit!

1. Movement
When we move our bodies, we oxygenate our entire being, which increases energy and clarity of thought. There are many ways to put more movement into our day. The suggestions we’re making below are great for both kids and parents…either done separately or together! We walk the dog in order burn off excess energy…the same can be true with our kids. They require movement in order to expend the energy of their growing bodies. Taking a break for intentional movement may also help with physical and mental acuity and strength.

Examples:
On-line movement class
Qi Gong
Yoga
Dance
Exercise
Nature walks
Bike riding

2. Artistic Endeavors
Artistic projects can allow us to be creative and innovative, extending our talents and feelings to others. We all know that practice in any endeavor hones the skill and expertise in that area. Having a practice of making art, music or any other creative project not only makes us better at our craft, but also gives others the opportunity to experience what we feel. These activities can fill our children with purpose and expand the scope of their world.

Examples:
Film/video – creating and sharing
Music classes (voice, piano, other instruments)
Painting/Drawing (other art projects)
Acting
Dancing
Creative writing (books, poems, etc.)
Composing music

3. Culture/Languages
We can learn so much about practically everything on the internet these days! From learning different languages to the study of different cultures and religions, unlike any other time in the past, the entire universe is available to us on-line.

Did you know that right now, you can go to the Vienna Opera House in Austria, Hyde Park in London or the Eiffel Tower in France on Google Maps? You can scroll around, zoom in and out, and learn amazing things. We can even go on tours of places like the Vatican, museums, castles and actually go inside the pyramids in Egypt! You may be motivated to learn a new language or discover the vivid details of history and cultures not often available in school text books.

Examples:
Research the history of world religions
Learn a new language
Discover rich traditions of ethnic tribes around the world
Watch historic videos about the scientific journey of human evolution
Take a trip to a place on Google Maps (tours)

4. Personal Development
There are specific activities that can help us and our kids to live a more peaceful and motivated life. Being mindful of our thoughts & emotions, and in tune with our inner voice/intuition can help us realize when we are falling in to a victim mentality and when we should actively shift our thought focus to what we wish to attract. There are a plethora of resources available to teach us life and relationship skills that enable us to experience a journey that flows with greater ease, peace and clarity. A thought to remember: As parents, our state of mind will reflect on our kids’ state of mind. Parents who are authentic, honest and vulnerable are an example of how to experience contrast and shift into what’s possible. What greater gift can we give to future generations.

Examples:
Meditation
Mindfulness
Intuition
Life Skills (finances to home economics)
Relationship Skills

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We understand that the ways in which the world has changed during this pandemic have been trying, confusing and intrusive. Life patterns have changed, and many wish to get back to the way things were before. As is true with any epic historic event (civil rights/60’s, Viet Nam/70’s, women’s work force/80’s… technical revolution, 9/11, and so many more…things are never the same. Things will not be the same after this pandemic ends…there will be a “new normal”. This new normal can be better than we ever imagined. What if we allowed our approach to the recovery to be positive, hopeful and focused on empathy and kindness? Wouldn’t that be a great start?

Unfortunately, it is easy to sit in front of the television or be on our phones with social media to fill our time. Neither are bad in and of themselves. However, it might be sad to look back at this time and realize that no memories were made, nothing spectacular was learned, no new skills were achieved, and the year felt basically lost in time…

Imagine this: what if we used this time to co-create more balance and adventure!

“Imagination is everything, it is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”
~ Albert Einstein

About the Authors: Matrix Productions is a multi-media company represented by partners Beth Donnelly and Dagny Grant. Co-authors of the internationally Best-Selling Children's book series "Journey of Joy", they share mind, body and spirit connections, teaching mindfulness and I AM principles. Their publication of books, and “Echoes of the Soul” multi-media projects, produce tools that shape the thoughts and hearts of like-minded people. Find them at MatrixMediaKit, http://bit.do/FaceBookMatrix and http://bit.do/JourneyofJoy.