Covid-19 Lockdowns: 5 Lessons Parents Have Learned

COVID-19 Lockdowns: 5 Lessons Parents Have Learned

Written by The Gowhee Team

“When we first went on lockdown last spring, I thought it would last two weeks, so everything was temporary…” – Gowhee Member
If you felt this way, you were not alone! But this time we will be wiser right?! What does it actually mean to be prepared for a lockdown? Minus the toilet paper frenzy not being necessary (hopefully), what are the lessons to remember from our first wave? How will these new lockdowns look for families now?

Families all around the world have learned to "discover" differently. Local trips, short getaways and nature walks are now in the plans.

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Lockdown self-care is hard but not impossible

First lockdown: It took us by surprise and parents all over the world had to start new routines, create a work/childcare balance and adjust to all new safety measures. Self-care was the last thing on our priority list!

New lockdown: Looks like most countries are keeping schools open despite the new lockdown, which frees up some time compared to last spring. We are also more aware of what lockdown routines look like, and we know that mental self-care is very necessary! Where we ran the first lockdown like a sprint, new lockdowns will be our marathon. So don’t forget to use self-care techniques to keep yourself going.

Here are some of our members’ favorite ways have good self-care:
– “I go for a run every morning before everyone gets up” – @thefamilyfuntour
– “Self-care looks different for each of us. I like time alone and for my husband to give me a massage. He likes to sit alone in nature. My oldest son likes doing creative projects…” – @nomadswithapurpose
– “I take a mommy night and my husband takes a daddy night once a week.” – @maudmaciak
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"Traveling" can be done in many ways

First Lockdown: All families that were used to traveling regularly felt the pandemic was like a jail sentence. The first lockdown was extremely hard to handle and most of us went into mourning. Trip cancellations and ruined plans we had made for the year were at the heart of it all. It seemed, at least for a while, that the life of discoveries and travel that we so dearly loved, would not be able to go on…

Families all around the world, have learned to “discover” differently. Local trips, short getaways and nature walks are now in the plans. “I never realized that there was so much to see and enjoy right around me” – Gowhee Member. So don’t let these new lockdowns feel like a jail sentence. Just rewire your travel plans to your local parks and authorized locations.

We enjoy people differently: The bubble system

First Lockdown: Playdates, family events, and all celebrations were shut down suddenly. We had to learn to not expect big birthday parties and to stay away from loved ones for important dates like weddings and funerals… This was probably the hardest part of the lockdown!

Although the new lockdowns will still take a toll on all of us, we have learned to enjoy people differently! Families have created their safe bubbles to allow children and adults alike to socialize. Your neighbors can become your closest friends and your connection with local friends and family are deepened. Family and other loved ones far away will still be able to connect, thanks to the wide array of technologies in place. So when you look at the new lockdown measures, don’t forget that connecting with loved ones comes in many forms!
>>> Get our Holidays Inspirations List for 2020 to find ways to connect with your family safely during the holidays.<<<

If one lesson needs to be remembered from the past few months, it's that nothing is set in stone. Travel planning does not have to stop! {..} So plan away in a smart way!

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Get our curated list of MUST-HAVE APPS FOR 2020, many tips and resources to make your travel journey with the kids a little easier!

Communication [with kids] is essential!

First Lockdown: The virus itself, the concept of being in a world pandemic, and how we should cope with lockdown measures, were new to all of us. So how were we supposed to explain to our kids how to handle it all? But as we know a bit more about all of these issues, and as our kids have experienced a first round of it, we will be better prepared for the the new lockdown.
Experts agree, communicating with kids in an age appropriate way about COVID-19 is essential. It will help you manage the ups and downs of their feelings and get them prepared to protect themselves as they go to school and are out in public. Here are a few books to help you get that chat going with your kids:
–A Book about COVID-19
–Germs are not for sharing
– A teen’s guide to fun social distancing during covid.

Keep planning because things change fast!

If one lesson needs to be remembered from the past few months, it’s that nothing is set in stone. Planning does not have to stop. With regulations and the reopening of borders changing from one month to another, it is totally acceptable (and let’s face it, good for morale) to keep planning your next vacation or travels. We recommend that you make sure to contract with companies offering a great cancellation policy like this amazing European tour operator that dedicated their services into helping families plan their travels during the pandemic and offer a flexible cancellation policy with a gift card system.. So plan away, in a smart way!