Truth is, we still need boundaries. Boundaries don’t
have to mean rigid inflexibilities we can’t enforce. And
while they certainly won’t have the clean definitions
once provided to us by the bolstering walls of schools
and the support of coaches, we still need structure in our
day to help keep us moving. Here are some tips to help
create much needed boundaries and preserve sanity.
• CREATE A SCHEDULE. Formulating a schedule is
a lot like interior designing: pick a focal point like a
couch and design around it. A good place to start is by
asking your child two to three things he’d like to do
that day. Then share three things you want to do that
day. Design a loose schedule that incorporates these
things as best you can, with the understanding that
what doesn’t get attended to will be paid attention
to the following day.
Today, my daughters wanted to do a STEM candle
project by Kiwico, go on a bike ride, and talk to their
friends on Zoom.
I, in turn, wanted to clean the living room and their
playroom (something I would need their help with),
work on taxes and exercise.
After they completed their schoolwork, the first thing
we did was get some much-needed air and go for a bike
ride. I decided to kill two birds with one stone and make
the bike ride my exercise as well. I don’t have a bike, but
I ran alongside my kids. It wasn’t exactly the peaceful
idyllic jog I had in mind, but I was happy enough to get
some exercise in.
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