I don’t know about you, but I can say for myself that in emergency situations like the one happening now, beyond the anxiety that takes over me, what really weighs me down is the virtual noise: the advice, articles, lists, links, solutions… all of it.

And still, here I am, writing something that may feel like one of those things I just described. So before I begin, I have this need to put it on the table and say:

 

Every home has its own way of doing things, and each family finds its ways to cope with situations like this, both individually and collectively. When all this ends—no medals will be awarded to parents who stretched themselves out of skin and comfort to entertain their children, no supervisor will come measure screen time or your menu, there will be no “lights out” (I hope! I just scared myself with another apocalyptic scenario where the power goes out)—in short, and this is a very general statement not just about what I’m going to write here: it’s amazing to learn, to expand, to widen how things are done or how time with family can be used—but if it doesn’t come from a place that feels good or natural to you, drop it, or at least wait with it, in anything. Especially now, when pressures and tensions are not lacking, this is the time to do things you enjoy doing, alone, as a couple, and yes, also with the kids.

Maybe there’s a game you liked in childhood that you haven’t touched in years, maybe there’s a family‑friendly movie you’d like the kids to know (we had a Beethoven and Home Alone marathon here—what a delight). Maybe there’s an activity you usually never have time for, but now we have so much time at home. Try to connect with the things that warm your heart, and then from those, seek ones the children can join in.

For me, I calm down when I work with materials, and in our home everyone loves materials and making, so it works here; that’s why I’m writing about this. It’s one of my main languages, at home and at work. There are many languages in the world, all wonderful, and none is in competition with the others.

I really want to believe, hope, and wish for myself that if any of what I write here—coming entirely from my personal experience and what works for me—gets tried in other homes, it will come from a place that’s curious, interested, calm, and kind to yourself, not pressured or feeling like you have to do something that doesn’t feel right. And if you’re not the kind of home where everyone sits and creates together, but you feel like this might be a chance to expand your shared activities a bit—even in small ways—it may be worth trying some of what I suggest here, even in a limited version. But again, only if it doesn’t feel burdensome or threatening.

And now that I’ve gotten that off my chest—hello!

I decided to do what I can in this situation, simply describing how I’m preparing for the period ahead, with the goal of helping my children not climb the walls (or climb less) and not going crazy myself from the claustrophobic stillness of these days.

For me it feels most natural to call forth my art supplies and set up at home a station of free creation—not a station for me to lead or entertain anyone, but one that invites the children to be intuitively engaged (and me too, even after they go to sleep!). That is the greatest advantage of such a setup, and I promise you its effect will be noticeable even after this strange situation ends: kids gradually learn to work independently, reach for materials when they’re bored, and figure things out on their own, similar to the way they play with LEGO, Playmobil or dolls. Not always is there time or opportunity to engage in this every day, and not everyone has space for a permanent station of this kind (by the way—I don’t either; our kitchen table is converted for one project or another each time, unfortunately I don’t have a fixed place where everything is laid out regularly). But now, given the situation, other things will shift so that the children can have more freedom and independence at home, as happens during school breaks and summer vacations.

In this post I’ll explain how to lay the foundation for all of this, and later I’ll give more specific ideas for ways to expand possibilities from that good foundation you’ve set. When I read what I’ve written, it sounded to me a bit like describing a military operation—but I promise this is much more fun and simpler than that. Like in the army, this phase is divided into three parts:

1. Preparation

The good news is that, unlike the long queues at supermarkets, I believe that in this area most homes are fairly ready and well stocked with usable, good materials. It’s hard for me to view this period purely positively; I’m less drawn to posts that treat Corona as a chance for soul-searching or claim the Earth is angry with us (though—yes—clearly it is, and justly, we treat it terribly… but the direct linking in that way, to me, doesn’t always lead to helpful places). Still, in this context I’m willing to admit: it absolutely is a wonderful opportunity (and with Passover ahead even more so)—to open closets and drawers, see what’s in the house, what still works, what’s broken, to sort and reorganize again, using available and suitable containers. I strongly recommend resisting buying new things (unless you’re missing very basic supplies).

The preparation itself can be an activity, and there’s room to involve the kids. Sharing encourages them to use later the materials they themselves sorted and made usable. Have them sort markers, sharpen pencils, organize drawers, gather together all the materials of one kind, and think with them how best to store everything. If you approach it as a shared project, their involvement later will be greater, and the willingness to preserve the order that they themselves helped set up will be stronger. It also sends the right message: “We’re in this together. There are no doers vs. done-to; it’s of all of us equally.” And truly it is.

Another part of the prep will be turning attention to everyday things you can collect and reuse (speaking of the earth). I highly recommend, even in regular routine, keeping a bag or container dedicated to collecting packaging, rolls, containers that can be reused; they’ll help avoid unnecessary purchases and store a variety of materials. Sometimes when there are no ideas or inspiration, we dump that bag and see what we can do with what’s in it—it usually sparks something (even if in the end we don’t use any of it).

What’s worth collecting?

Rolls, Cardboard packages, Yogurt or cheese cups, All kinds of caps, Tea‑bag wrappers (outer paper ones with printed designs, there are very pretty patterns), Clear plastic boxes for lettuce (great for holding paper scraps, etc.), Milk cartons, Square tissue boxes, Coffee jars (great for brushes), Tin cans (just be sure to smooth the inside edges if sharp) … and more. In short—really think twice before throwing anything away. You can also gather natural objects if you go outside a bit—it’s always good and fun.

2. Setting Boundaries (Where, When, and What?)

What does this mean? Define a physical space in the home where art materials are accessible, and decide when they are used, what is always available, and what is offered only when appropriate. This is highly individual and depends also on the children’s ages.

Here’s what works for us (my kids are 11.5, 6.5, and 4 with big personality): what is always accessible without needing mediation or help: pencils, wax crayons (like the cheap kind in pencil boxes), markers, watercolors, various types of paper, newspaper/magazine clippings, sharpeners, erasers, rulers, glue sticks, stickers, washi tape, safe children’s scissors, hole‑punchers. In future posts I’ll suggest ways to vary use of what’s always available, and also what extra materials are worth offering kids as they grow.

It’s useful to frame the boundaries in positive terms—not just rules of what not to do. For example, if you (like me) dislike that kids start screens first thing in the morning, before even visiting the bathroom (yes, it happens here too!), then you can offer the art station as an alternative. A relatively calm start to the day.One of my inspirations is Hila Spitzer, who advocates “Good Morning Drawing” and even runs a Facebook group by that name. I recommend you check it out.

3. Alignment and Moving Forward

Now, after doing all the prep work (honestly, this can take just half a day at most), go through the result with the children and send them off—make sure they know where everything lives, where they are allowed to work, which tools are allowed for which purposes (for example: water for the paintbrushes, so you don’t end up with piles of rainbow-colored dishes…), which surfaces are suitable for which materials (thick paper or cardboard for wet media or “heavy” materials; lighter surfaces for dry materials. That said, this depends on the child; some kids work intensely even with pencils or crayons, so you may still allow them access to thicker paper or cardboard regardless). And, of course—ensure they understand that with this independence also comes responsibility: they must clean up after each activity and return everything to its place so that there is no mess and to preserve the materials. It’s helpful to emphasize that they can ask for help, help their siblings, little ones can teach big ones too, not just the other way around. That way you also gain better relationships between the children, not just an activity to pass time.

t’s helpful to emphasize that they can ask for help, help their siblings, little ones can teach big ones too, not just the other way around. That way you also gain better relationships between the children, not just an activity to pass time.

That’s it for now—wishing us all great success, that we get through these days in health and find ways to lift our spirits. I wish us days without worrying news updates, rich with absorbing creativity that takes over the day until suddenly we look up and say, “Is it evening already? I just started!”