7 Life Lessons from the Lockdown

Our kids are witnessing such challenging times. The pandemic lockdown has pushed them into living a new way of life that they have never known before. They are stuck indoors in the company of the adults and siblings and relying only on virtual social interactions and infotainment.

While the entire world hopes for this pandemic to end soon, it has been indeed a valuable learning phase for everyone, including our children. If I were to list down the life lessons from lockdown for our kids, it would go like this:

Minimalistic Life is Possible

For more than two months now, we are living on minimum resources. Our kids are learning that it is very much possible to do with less. For example,

• Cook with whatever ingredients are available in the kitchen.
• Eat whatever is served on the plate.
• Avoid wasting food and make a new recipe from the leftovers.
• Live without shopping, movie or dining out trips.
• Buy things when you need, not when you want.
• Recycle old stuff to create something new.
• Create fun experiences like birthday parties without much pomp and fervour at home.

Household Chores are Everyone’s Responsibility

This lockdown has been the perfect opportunity for our kids to learn that sharing is caring. They are watching how their parents have been juggling between household chores, work demands and family obligations to keep everything in order. They have realized that doing household chores is not a lowly task or it is not only adults’ responsibility. Our kids are learning to share the household workload – they are helping in cooking, laundry, ironing, cleaning, washing dishes, organizing wardrobes, caring for elderly and babysitting younger siblings.

Good Health is a Great Investment for Life

We have been always telling our kids about eating wholesome, nutritious food and exercising regularly for a strong and healthy body. But, they hardly heed this advice. When the lockdown made ‘immunity’ a buzz word, the kids began to understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle. They are now more open to inculcating healthy habits.

Money Management is Important

Kids are learning how the family runs on a low budget because many families are braving situations such as salary cuts, delayed salary payment or loss of a job. They now know that every penny counts.

Kids are also learning about digital payments as they watch their parents make online payments for utilities and other financial transactions instead of cash. They are picking up the fundamentals of financial literacy and e-transactions.

Dealing with Emergency Situations

From changing a light bulb and fixing basic repairs to sewing a button and handling basic first aid, our kids are learning to deal with little emergencies at home. They are realizing that self-reliance is the best option when the need arises.

Privilege Should Not be Taken for Granted

Our kids are becoming conscious that there is a life beyond playing online games, sleeping in an air-conditioned room or making a Dalgona coffee. These all are mere privileges because millions of people have lost their homes and jobs in the pandemic and they are struggling for the basic necessities such as shelter, food and water. Kids are learning that empathy is a virtue and they must extend a helping hand to underprivileged sections of the community.

Resilience is Power

This has been perhaps the most important lesson from lockdown for our kids at a young age. It has taught them that humans are capable to adapt to any situation or crisis. No matter what the difficulty or distress may be, they can cope with adversity and bounce back.

The memories of the ongoing pandemic will fade with time in our children’s minds. But, the lessons learnt from it will remain printed in their life’s book forever!

What would you like your kids to learn from the current situation? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.