After a little more than a year of having little-to-no social lives whatsoever, it feels somewhat foreign to all of a sudden pick up where we left off with friends and family. All of the things we used to do—that used to feel so normal—like having a family barbecue in the backyard, going camping or on vacation with close friends, picking up and dropping off our kids for playdates and sleepovers, etc., are now activities that we almost have to re-learn.
This is even more true for our kids, who were at such impressionable ages when the pandemic uprooted life as they once knew it. That’s why the onus is really on us to set the right examples as far as how to re-establish and reclaim our social lives in the healthiest way possible.
Maybe prior to the pandemic you weren’t the greatest at saying “no” when you knew that a social opportunity was simply too much to commit to—and that by saying “yes” you might burn yourself, and your kids, out. If there is one silver lining to the quarantine that the pandemic brought upon all of us, it’s that we had no choice but to say “no.” We had no choice but to have quiet weekends at home week after week where we could do nothing but spend quality time together and cross off tons of menial to-dos on our list, from laundry to cleaning out our attic.
We have a little bit of a fresh start now, having been on social lockdown for over a year and can work to set the right example of healthy social relationships to our kids. One thing that hasn’t changed pre- or post-pandemic is that our kids need a healthy balance of sleep, rest and recharge time, family time and independent time. Here are some tried-and-true ways we can help our kids re-learn social skills as play dates start up again, parties are in full gear and parks are filled back up.
1. PLAN A BUFFER DAY.
It’s summer. Everyone’s schedules are more jam-packed than in the dead of winter. But that’s no reason to not have a weekend day here and there where you have absolutely zero plans. Think of it as a buffer day—a day that you avoid making plans so that you and your family have the chance to catch back up to speed—both individually and as a family unit. Not only will this give you each a chance to recharge and reset, but you can also use it to spend quality family time together.
2. JUST SAY NO.
It might sound too easy to be true, but saying “no” is one of the simplest ways you can create boundaries—and show your kids how to follow suit. If your neighbors invite you and your kids over for dinner on a weekend day that you were go-go-go nonstop, that’s a perfect opportunity to say “no,” and to explain to your kids why. Tell them, “We had such a busy day so now we have to slow down and recharge so we can have enough energy for the rest of the week.”
3. Embrace rest days.
On a similar note, it’s important to show our kids that rest time is productive—not wasteful. Just as we can partake in extracurricular activities that enrich our lives, we can also partake in restful moments and periods that recycle our energy. When we start to realize rest is productive, we can start to prioritize it.
Written by Jenn Sinrich
Jenn Sinrich is a freelance editor, writer and content strategist located in Boston, Massachusetts. She received her BA in journalism from Northeastern University and has a decade worth of experience working for a myriad of female-focused publications including SELF, Parents, Women's Health, BRIDES, Martha Stewart Weddings and more. When she's not putting pen to paper (or, really, fingers to keyboard), she's enjoying the most precious moments in life with her husband and daughter.
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