It’s been what seems like 100 days of staying at home since the beginning of COVID-19. It still seems unreal, right? Like we are going to wake up one day and this never actually happened? We did a quick survey on Instagram stories last week asking where your county/state is at their current stay at home order. The majority of you are also in the red phase. I’ll be the first to say that I’m starting to lose my mind, and all the normal rules and routine have been tossed out of the window. Just like most moms out there, I'm currently wearing all the hats. Being a full time mom, preschool teacher, personal chef, house cleaner, all while “working” from home (LOL). If you’re like me, you are looking for any possible way to escape at this point, and I’m here to share 5 tips to keep your kids entertained at home - cereal and screen time very much included. 

SCREEN TIME ROUTINE

Develop a screen time routine that works best for you. For us, it looks like a few hours of ipad time in the morning, a disney movie before nap, and binge watching Aimery’s favorite shows in the evening. In case you didn’t know, screen time limits don’t apply during this time, so no need to feel guilty.

PICNIC

Picnics were created so parents didn’t feel the need to clean up their kitchen for the third time in a 12 hour period. Your kids will think it’s the coolest thing, and you’ll enjoy not cleaning up their mess. 

HIDE THE COOL TOYS

My best parenting hack? Hide the cool toys until it’s time to answer a zoom call. Your kids will act like it’s Christmas morning and you won’t get interrupted for up to 5 minutes.

SAVE THE AMAZON BOXES

No one wants to admit the amount of money that we have spent online shopping during this time at home, but we can all admit that we have so many boxes around the house. Allow your kids to draw, paint, cut, and create a rocketship out of the boxes. It will keep them entertained long enough to toss some chicken nuggets in the air fryer. Speaking of meal ideas...

CEREAL FOR BREAKFAST (AND DINNER, AND SNACKS)

Who doesn’t love cereal? It’s quick, easy, and gives my four year old a chance to spill an entire gallon of milk before 7AM. Everyone wins. Our favorite cereal is Malt-O-Meal because it comes in over 30 delicious varieties, including Aimery’s favorite Tootie Fruities®. It’s affordable, great-tasting, and quarantine approved. The best part? It can be eaten any time of day - breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even when your kids ask for their 10th snack in a two hour period. 

Malt-O-Meal is a brand that we love because they recognize how much moms need a break (glad someone does), and understand that we are feeling extra anxiety created by COVID-19 to be teachers, daycare providers, coaches, playmates, short-order cooks and more. And they want to honor us with something to look forward to! Malt-O-Meal is giving away $30,000 worth of personalized gifts to moms, plus Malt-O-Meal cereal for each winner’s pantry! Contest is currently running on the brand’s Facebook page now through June 25. All you have to do is also share your challenges and solutions of parenting during this pandemic for a chance to win one of 60 custom, curated gifts valued at $500 from local businesses in your community, which also will help local business owners and individual proprietors who have been hurt by the pandemic too. Head to their Facebook page to learn more about a giveaway just for moms, from MOM.