Pandemic has kept all of us glued to our houses with kids around us while we are working. While this is the most difficult period for working parents where they must manage both work and kids, it is equally rewarding in many other ways. Handling kids keeping them indoors is definitely a whole new challenge altogether. As a parent, I have had my own ups and downs too with parenting. That is when I started exploring the thought that what do kids exactly expect from parents? 
This thought paved the way for many everyday experiments with my kids as well as some learnings from kids of my friends. Here is the summary of my learnings.

1. It is a pure myth that kids need expensive toys and branded activity kits for them to be engaged or happy. You don't believe me? Try buying your kid a boxed toy and let him or her play with it. They will get bored in a week. Now try giving some activity with things available at home. Such as stacking tumblers etc based on their age. You will notice that the engagement level will be the same. 
2. Yelling helps but only YOU for temporary stress relief. Not for the work to get done by the kid. I have seen this practically. If we hold back 10 seconds before we have the urge to yell at kids, it is going to help a great deal. One, to keep our blood pressures under control, and two (most important), most kids actually listen to us when we talk in a lowered tone. 
3. Time and attention are all they need. I know most times if both the parents are working with no other help at home to take care of kids, time is all we do not have. But trust me on this, all they are looking for are your attention and the time you spend with them. This point is beautifully outlined in the #Parenting book by Om Swami too. 

All in all, the greatest learning I had so far is that you cannot replace the time and attention that kids need with anything else in the world. With going outdoors not an option, we must start thinking of ideas where we can probably make them involved in activities that involve us too. 

For example, you can give them a coloring book and do coloring along with them. Such activities can be done while you are working on a mild attention-seeking project at work. The image of this blog is an example of that. If you have elder kids, you can make small deals with them. If the kid lets you work undisturbed for half an hour, tell them you would play their favorite board game with them soon after that. 

Hope this little piece of information helps! DO stay tuned for more blogs on parenting, daily activities, and more