Pass The Pen: Jamie Lynn Sigler

I have always relied heavily on my village. Now more than ever I have found myself looking to the women in my life that are in the trenches and crushing it for any inspiration or advice on how they are tackling quarantine. I’m so excited to start opening up The Happy Place to guests to offer new perspectives, ideas, and thoughts about anything and everything! As a part of this new feature, I asked my friend Jamie to join THP to share what’s keeping her kids entertained and happy this summer as she balances being superwoman in her home! Let’s just say, I will be making magic clay ASAP! And if you find yourself in need of some incredibly informative, supportive, REAL mom talk check out Jamie’s podcast MamaSaid! Alongside co-host, Jenna Parris, they will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you feel like you are not alone! 

Xx,

Jo

The Summer Break in QUARANTINE

Well, wow.

To say these last few months have been a doozy, is an understatement. SO much loss, so much pain, frustration, stress, hopelessness. It will be a moment in time (and God please say it will eventually be just a moment), that we will never forget. With all of that said, there has also been a lot of growth, understanding, awareness and creativity to come from this as well.

Homeschooling, activity planning, endless cooking and cleaning.. we have ALL been given a lot more responsibility than we usually took for granted to have, because our villages disappeared essentially! BUT, we have risen to the occasion, and I am freaking proud of all of us! So, as we sit here with our grad caps on and diplomas in hand, school is out for summer and we have NOTHING TO DO!

I, like many of you, had hoped and prayed that the summer months would be baby steps back into the world as we knew it, but what I am realizing more and more, is that we are going to have to start treating this quarantine as the NEW normal. Covid ain’t going anywhere and we are going to have to start to figure out ways to keep our kids (and us) SANE and entertained.

Let me start by saying I am NO EXPERT. I am the one that is usually taking screenshots of peoples instagram posts with cute toys and ideas, or sitting on Amazon all night trying to find the best toys that could possibly keep my kids busy for more than 10 minutes. So now that that disclaimer is out there… here is my survival list of summer ideas and games and toys for this Quarantine!

TOYS:

CRAZY FORTS - This has actually been a fun activity for all of us. You can follow the ideas they have in the booklet, or allow your kids to create on their own! The clean up is easy (VERY Important to me), and we have taken it all over the house and yard.

LEGO’s- this is kind of a duh, but they have SO many options for so many different ages and interests. I have started a lego swap with a friend of mine too. I put all the legos and the booklet in a little baggie (to keep organized) and when we are done building, we wipe them down, transfer to the bag, and then after a few rounds, we are ready for our trade. Its an inexpensive and fun way as well to have the kids have friendly competition and communication! We challenge how fast we can build and take photos of villages as well.

COSTUMES!!!!- Every year, after Halloween, I hit up Amazon like a mad woman and buy a ton costumes on sale for my kids. Playing dress up is so fun for them, and it really helps them escape the reality of being stuck at home. It has been really helpful for me as well with the Boys being so different in ages and interests (6 and 2), because everyone can have fun in a costume. I have even been instructed to wear certain “looks” while I prepare dinner.. Don’t ask me to share the pics though :).

MAGIC CLAY -Much easier clean up than play doh and apparently less tempting to eat (My little Jack has major self control issues when it comes to play doh). We have created some really fun things and it keeps them occupied.

CRAYOLA COLOR WONDER- They were a sponsor on our podcast, and let me tell you, this MESS FREE marker situation is a game changer! It only works on their Color wonder paper, and they have SO many themed books, you will for sure find ones your little one enjoys.

WHERES WALDO has been so so fun to revisit with my 6 year old. They make activity books now, and it’s a fun challenge for both of us to do together.

And finally.. the IPAD. Yes, I am a mom that welcomes screen time! Honestly, I have seen my kids language explode, they have enjoyed movies, and educational shows, and even get to sort some shapes, all while mommy can sit back for a minute (or finally fold that laundry). All it takes is a little monitoring , and then I truly believe, its a blessing. Here is a list of my favorite apps:

For my 6 year old, Beau:

Epic or Raz kids. - these have books that they can read themselves, and they also have “read to me” where the app will read them a book. I took away kids youtube from Beau recently, and now instead he just reads books on sports legends. They also have a point system, where you can build characters and get prizes, according to how much you read. His school recommended them, and we all love it.

RoBlox — now you MUST monitor the games they choose.. BUT, he has been able to FaceTime with friends and play along with them in the games, and it’s really the only way he has been able to interact and play with kids his age :(. Hearing him laugh and figure things out with his friends.. its so worth it. (I also really wish I bought stock in this company!)

For little Jack, 2 years old :

He has lots of flash card apps that he does in English and Spanish.

Daniel Tiger has MANY games! He gets Daniel ready for school, for bed, makes his meals…he loves it.
Curious George has games as well, where they can sort shapes and colors. I don’t want to brag, but this kid has known every shape color and letter of the alphabet since he’s 18 months old because of these apps. They have saved me at his brothers hockey games, car rides, and now when I need to cook a meal.

We are also trying to find things we can do together. Getting on the floor with my kids, leaving my phone in my room, and turning off the news has been essential for us lately. We are fortunate enough to have a pool to get into daily, but even just following their lead and letting them decide what to play with me has been a wonderful bonding experience and distraction. Cooking has been a big one too. I’ve surrendered to the mess and I’ve let them get their hands and my counters dirty because let me tell you, when they have a hand in cooking something , they will DEFINITELY eat it. Smoothies is a big one, and even roasted veggies has been added to their roster because they love all the colors and flavors we add.

Lastly, if you can, GET OUTSIDE!!!! We invested in bikes for the whole family, and baby seat for Jack on mine, and when we are feeling antsy, stressed, or even sad.. we get outside. It has really been so helpful for us. It something to do as a family, and we get to wave and smile at other people (even with our masks).

SO, I hoped this helped a bit. We are all trying to figure this out as we go. It is NOT easy. With that said, it does make me feel some what better to know that we are all in this together.