DOING YOUR PART TO MAKE HOME A GREAT PLACE TO BE

Have the people in your house driven each other crazy yet?

Having a little trouble getting along?

I know if my daughters were still living at home, we would all be having a difficult time. Even with just my husband and I, sometimes 24/7 togetherness for an extended period can be...too much.

So what can YOU do to make this time easier? Not just for you, but for your family? The adults in your home who are stressed and anxious? Younger siblings who might be frightened? How can you make what is currently your teeny tiny little world a better place?

My first idea may be a difficult one to pull off: try not to complain. (It's hard for me; ask Dr. Kelly how many times I've whined already this morning.) It may feel like things are really not going your way right now; you don't like that you're still having to do homework, you miss your friends, maybe your spring sports have been canceled, maybe a brother or sister won't leave you alone. But trust me when I say everyone is feeling like they've lost something in this crisis, and if we only focus on what's going wrong we're all going to end up being pretty miserable. I'm not saying you shouldn't talk to someone about how you're feeling, because a healthy expression of your emotions is a good strategy for better mental health. But endless whining is not, so try to catch yourself when it's getting out of control.

Next, try putting someone else first. What can you do to make the lives of parents, or the adults you currently have contact with, better? Maybe you notice that the dishwasher needs to be loaded and run, or unloaded and the dishes put away. Maybe there's a load of laundry to be washed, dried, and folded. Can you make dinner one night? Maybe you could entertain younger siblings who need a creative outlet. Ask what you can do to be helpful, or better yet, see what needs to be done and do it without being asked. If you can go outside, see if you can help your neighbors with yard work. Rake leaves or pull weeds. They will be so appreciative of any help you can provide.

If you have brothers, sisters, cousins, or any other kids living in your house, now is the time to step up to the plate and be a good role model. Keeping the complaints down and helping out are great ways to start. Keeping noise levels to a dull roar is also super nice when there are many of you in the house. Doing what you're asked - the first time, and without crabbing about it - is also near the top of the list. Not fighting might be at the very top. If you're all just getting on each other's nerves, removing yourself physically or mentally from the situation is a great first step. 

Take some time also every day to attend to your own mental health. Chat online with a friend. Practice deep breathing or yoga. Try journaling - a great place for all that complaining that you don't want to do out loud. Listen to your favorite music - use headphones or a reasonable volume unless it's a concert your whole family wants to hear. Or turn that music up and hold an impromptu dance party! Invite others to a Netflix watch party. Have family game night, start a jigsaw puzzle, discover Sudoku or, if you're like me, read A LOT! 

We know you think that the ATYP staff are just here to nag at you to do your homework, but our number one goal right now is to keep everyone safe, happy, and healthy. If everyone in the house together is making that really difficult for you right now, put your brilliant and creative mind to use and consider what you can do to make a change. Even tiny steps count!

Put in the comments section just one step you've implemented to make life easier in your home! All comments and contributions are appreciated!