With Covid-19 spreading steadily around the world, many parents are home with no return to work in sight. Some are hunkering down with their children. Others aren’t so lucky and may spend weeks going without parenting time.
No one wants to be away from their children right now, but in recent days scientists have discovered this coronavirus:
– May present as typical cold or flu symptoms.
– Spreads before symptoms arise.
– Stays in the air for up to three hours.
Keeping kids healthy, and also from infecting others (as kids can be carriers without themselves having symptoms), means keeping them at home in most cases. So how can dads stay in touch with their little ones?
This is easy to implement as it offers so much versatility and parental control. It also doesn’t require kids to have their own phone number or a Facebook account. Parents and kids can access Messenger Kids over iOS, Android, and Windows.
Note that Facebook Messenger Kids gives parents more control than some other options. You can set limits on who can call, when they can call and keep track of all communication.
It has several features your kids will find fun, from filters you can put over videos and pictures, to games you can play together. You can also use this app in the background while you do other things on your phone, tablet or computer.
2. Caribou
Some video-call apps include other services, like reading books or playing games. You see the person you’re talking to, but you can also interact. These can be especially helpful right now with so many children who are out of school.
Our favorite is Caribou because of its simplicity, wide selection of books and activities, and because the company has made their app free for parents and grandparents due to coronavirus disruptions.
3. Minecraft
This video game encourages players to build new environments, often with the help of friends. You can create family servers where you – and only you – can meet and interact with your kids. Work on projects together, host mini-homeschooling lessons or just hang out. While you won’t be able to share videos, you can exchange voice and written messages.
A free version of Minecraft can be downloaded on mobile devices, computers and popular gaming systems like the Playstation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
Interested in using video games to help keep your kids engaged, learning and interacting with you during this trying time? We like the Nintendo Switch for its wide variety of titles, the number of exclusive titles aimed at general audiences and improved security features over other gaming systems.
Exclusive Switch titles that we love include:
– Animal Crossing: New Horizons
– Pokemon Sword and Shield
– Luigi’s Mansion 3
– Overcooked 2
– Splatoon 2
– Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
– Snipperclips: Cut it Out, Together!
Isolation can be tough, especially when you can’t be near your family. Tell us below how you’re staying in touch with the kids!
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