Photos to the Rescue - 6 ways to Enhance Bonding while Quarantined

This is an unnerving time in history. We are all at home, trying to keep our minds off what is happening around us. We are trying to work, feed, occupy, teach and maybe even trying to knock off a few to-do list items.

This is a great time to bond and connect with our children.

Tell them stories, snuggle them close, include all members of the immediate and extended family.

Make them feel safe.

I can guarantee they are feeling worried and stressed with the world changing around them.

Try a few or all of these ideas. There isn’t much set up, just get the photos out and let them explore.

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Tag me in social media posts when you do them so I can see how you are bringing photos into your time together.

1. Family Screen Time Event

   • Grab blankets, popcorn and snacks

   • Gather around the TV or laptop

   • Scroll through photos from your Google Photos, Facebook albums, or your hard drive

   • A great way to create family bonding time while also taking a break from the day.

2. Pass the Picture

   • Gather loose pictures

   • These can be old or new, from a vacation or just staying at home

   • Pass the pictures around in a circle while you narrate the events of the photo

3. I SPY

   • Find messy or busy photos like theme parks, messy rooms or streets

   • Call out something to find

   • Give the kids a turn too!

4. Virtual Story Time

   • Facetime with grandparents or great grandparents

   • Encourage them to share photos and tell stories of their parents, siblings and grandparents

   • This draws children to those who came before them

   • This is good social distancing with ways to connect with our loved ones.

5. Who’s That?

   • A basic family ID game for older babies

   • Walk around the house and point to family members in the frames on the wall

   • Repeat their names multiple times or have the baby practice saying their names

6. Family Album Story Time

   • Sit down and read “our” book

   • Talk about your favorite parts and the memories it brings up

   • This is especially fun with photos from before you had kids