Teenagers

Remember being a teenager? What was it like? Remember the moods, the thoughts, the attitude. Why must everyone be so annoying, isn't anyone cool or decent or something?

My life as a teen was spent with every available moment tucked away in my room. Only coming out for food, chores, the odd good TV program, and socialising sometimes. Mostly I liked to be in my room with posters of my idols, my music, singing, dancing (wasn't much of a dancer); dreaming of being famous for my stunning voice. I wanted to be relevant, known for something important, helpful, successful. I had all the usual grandiose ideas of being remembered for being awesome.

I went through a period of finding fault with my siblings, my parents, family, teachers, other kids at school, friends, people out in the street and on TV. Why can't everybody just be normal and stop having faults such as, bashing baby seals for fur! Also, I was down on my own faults. Why were beings always full of faults? We all have questions we ask ourselves about the meaning of our lives during this time.

How to survive self isolation with children.

Age 1-5 :

They will demand a lot of your attention throughout the day (and night) and you'll have to manage trying to get things done in spurts. It's annoying because you will often start things and be interrupted. You'll forget things, be reminded, have to deal with things you mustn't forget. Feeding, entertaining, keeping them occupied, chores (theirs, from 2 onward, and yours). Those spurts will get longer as the years go by and your children learn the rules and learn to entertain themselves.

The good news is self entertainment starts early. Just give them safe things to be entertained by. Cardboard boxes, tissue boxes, toilet rolls, beans in a bottle with a secure lid, pots and pans with wooden spoons, spaghetti, rice, a piece of bread. Things they can pull apart and explore that isn't dangerous for them, because they love to grab and pull and bite. The list will grow as they get older to include safe toys, pretend baking, mud cakes, playing with balls, musical instruments, all manner of activities. The list is endless.

It's up to you to police the situation vs their age and activity. If it's going to bother you or make you angry, change the activity.  Such as a child is rolling cat tins along a wooden floor and you're on the phone, swap the tins with something not so noisy. Maybe a bag of onions or some potatoes. Something they can move easily without being too noisy or able to swallow and choke on.

Age 6-10 :