The social distancing measures being implemented present both opportunities and challenges. Some may feel relieved to find their schedule largely eased from their usual busyness, but at the same time feel isolated or overwhelmed by the social distance. Many attempts are being made to connect people to school, work, and friends via the internet. However, this situation also present an incredible opportunity for renewal and refreshment away from technology. Please find refreshment and renewal in the following ideas for offline recreation and growth.
Screen-Free Ideas to Make the Most of the Current Situation
Lenten Retreat--"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). We're in Lent and this is an incredible opportunity to enter into a spirit of retreat from the busyness that so often consumes us and focus on what is most important. Let's take advantage of it. Some ideas:
Spend quality time with your family. Play with your kids. Connect with your spouse. Enjoy carefree timelessness with those closest to you.
Call friends or family that you haven't contacted in a while, including your grandparents or others you may not be able to visit in person at this time.
Be extra mindful of the needs of others and do something concrete for them.
Read a book you've been meaning to read.
Dedicate time to prayer.
Tidy up around the house.
Spend time in nature.
Dive into your exercise regimen.
Re-calibrate your life goals and priorities: What matters most? And what matters least?
Families with Children May Consider:
Illustrated Children’s Bible
Faith Formation texts and workbooks
Any age appropriate books that you can read together
Now act out what you just read, or
Get creative and make something to help you remember, or
Retell the story at dinner
Watch a movie together and identify some lessons (these discussion questions can also be used with stories you read). You can choose from https://formed.org/ or any family friendly movie.
Who acted Christ-like?
Was there a prominent Mother and Father figure – even if it wasn’t the Mom or Dad?
What virtues/good habits did you see the characters living?
What bad habits did you see?
Play something in which you work as a team – like charades teams, or scavenger hunt competition, or engineering with items in the home
Play a board game that includes reading, spelling, geography, science
Cut out tangrams, if you don’t have them on hand, and piece them together in patterns and images
Play card games or dice games for basic math skills
The Value of a Family Meal There is great importance and value in gathering around a table - indeed, the Mass itself shows us the way! Sixty years ago, the average dinnertime was 90 minutes; today it is less than 12 minutes. Kids and teens who share family dinners 3 or more times per week:
are less likely to be overweight
are more likely to eat healthy foods
perform better academically
are less likely to engage in risky behaviors (drugs, alcohol, sexual activity)
have better relationships with their parents
"More frequent family dinners are related to fewer emotional and behavioral problems, greater emotional well-being, more trusting and helpful behaviors towards others and higher life satisfaction” (Journal of Adolescent Health, April 2012). This is a great read to help us refocus and be intentional about this opportunity in the days ahead:
https://teachingcatholickids.com/family-meals/