Tag Archives: coping skills

COVID And Making Weekends Great Again

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Mom and daughter during covid on the weekends


When I got home from work yesterday, we did our new routine. Wondering what that is? Don’t hold your breath for something magical. We ate dinner together and watched tv. It may not sound out of the ordinary for you, however pre COVID-19, a few nights a week, we didn’t eat dinner together for various reasons. We also didn’t watch tv during the week. So this new routine is in fact new. Covid and weekends are bringing us all something new.


Because I am still at my office and the chores continue, things do feel different to me, but in many ways still the same.

From A Child’s Point Of View


When I look through the lens of children though, things are drastically different. Online school, no in person contact, not many places to go, sleeping in a little longer, staying up a little later, baked goods coming out our ears…..


My kid the other day said to us, “I’m not looking forward to the weekend. It’s just more of the same. I can’t tell it apart from any other day, so I am not looking forward to it the way I used to.” I was a bit surprised as I am loving this slowed down life in a lot of ways. But then again, many things are the same for me. I took her feelings in though and thought, “She’s totally right! She telling me she needs something different.” This change for kids is a hard one and isn’t going away in the near future.


So I’m on a mission to make weekends great again. I’m not talking about buying a big screen tv and purchasing a swimming pool. No spending huge amounts of money to satiate my kids.


I’m talking about what I can do within reason to make weekends during Covid feel like something special, and I would love to hear your ideas.

Here are a few ideas I have:


1. Rent a movie. Yes we are watching shows during the week, but renting a movie is different. Or doing a movie exchange with another family but leaving them on your porch and swapping.

2. Get take out. I haven’t been eating out much at this time. Truth be told, my husband is a chef so I eat killer food much of the time anyway. But going out is something special my girls love to do, so I am going to allow my girls to choose the menu this weekend in ordering some take out.

3. Dust off my bike. Since we have a dog, I always stick to walking/running. However, my kids are going to love it if I can ride with them. Yes this involves leaving the dog being at home, but Gracie girl will get her exercise another time.

4. Picnic. Being outside in nature is the best! It definitely fuels me. Plus, they will have my undivided attention. No chores staring me in the face when I am outside.

5. Outdoor art. I love to do art with my kids. Time to get outside with the supplies. I don’t have the time during the week for this, so this will be extra special for my kids.6. Build an outdoor fort. Living in the country, we’ve got some materials to play around with. Plus we’ve been watching old episodes of Alone, so let’s put those “survival skills” to the test!


Got some ideas to share on Covid and weekends? Please send me an email for more I can include with this post!

Want to learn more about how to handle COVID anxiety? Check out my video here.https://sierradator.com/2020/10/anxiety-during-covid/


Top 4 Reasons Your Daughter Needs An Emotional Tool Kit

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  1. girl holding mylar balloons of ice cream and emojisYour daughter NEEDS to develop HEALTHY tools to handle emotions.  Our foundation for how we handle things in life is being set now.  Let’s give them something solid to stand on.  HEALTHY coping skills includes journaling, exercise, talking to a supportive person, affirmations, goal setting, prayer, etc.
  2. Parents can’t do it alone.  At this age and stage of your child’s development, she is beginning to look to others to provide answers and advice.  You may even have a child who puts down everything you say.  Why not let a trained professional help her in an area where all girls could use a boost?
  3. UNHEALTHY coping skills can take over and cause life long problems.   Keep in mind, unhealthy tools can become addictive behaviors like alcohol, drugs, sex, computers, gambling, eating issues, cutting.  Let’s get these girls off on the right foot for coping.
  4. We need the opportunity to be real and see real.  Social media is crushing our girls in so many ways.  Girls are being smothered by images of how they should look, what they should buy, who they should like, and being bullied like no other time in history.  Kids have constant access to say what they want under “anonymous” posts or feeling free to say what they want behind the screen and real girls are the casualties.  In this workshop series, girls will have the opportunity to see what real girls look like, how they feel, and connect in a safe and caring environment.

Click here to learn more about the Emotional Tool Kit Workshop series.