What's your family doing to manage "cabin fever"?

Cohen Veterans Network — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 12:40:37 -0400

Let's share ideas on how families can not only survive, but thrive together while staying at home!

Response by Cohen Veterans Network made Apr 14 at 2020 12:42 PM

Cohen Veterans Network — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 12:42:40 -0400

We'll go first...

One of our clinicians, Cindy Paauw, LCSW, suggests ...

Individualized and Family Daily Schedules.

"We are creatures of habit, and children thrive in an environment where there is structure. We find comfort in routine and knowing what to expect day to day. Keeping consistency is key (even during a pandemic) — especially during a time when there is so much that is unknown and so little that we can control. Keeping the same general routine (wake up time, mealtimes and bedtime) will help establish a sense of normalcy and security... be creative and come up with a fun family schedule (be sure to get all members of the family to be on board with this)."

“Our Family’s Quaran-TEAM schedule”

“Make it Mondays”: Family will engage in a fun craft activity together.

“Tasty Tuesdays”: Family will learn to cook/bake something new together, or cook/bake a favorite recipe

“Wellness Wednesdays”: Family will dedicate an hour to a wellness activity/physical activity together (kick ball, yoga, obstacle course, etc.)

“Throwback Thursdays”: Family will recreate a special memory/tradition from the past together that everyone found enjoyable; i.e—baking Christmas cookies and watching Christmas movies in pajamas for movie night

“Friday Family Game Nights”: Every week, each family member will get to choose a game for the family to play.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 14 at 2020 12:44 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 12:44:28 -0400

My wife is at home until Friday's, I work for one of the essential businesses(agriculture mechanic), Saturday, and Sunday we go grocery shopping and go for a drive.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Apr 14 at 2020 12:57 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 12:57:56 -0400

Until you have served on submarines for a career, you don’t know what quarantine is. Perhaps prisoners.

Response by 1SG Steven Imerman made Apr 14 at 2020 1:07 PM

1SG Steven Imerman — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 13:07:10 -0400

We go on a long drive, usually 90-120 minutes, each day, and walk the dogs someplace we can let them off leash. There is virtually nobody in the various conservation areas, state forest, etc., around town, so we find a parking area with no cars and go for it. We have little special things for each day. Tuesday is pizza for breakfast day, it was a Red Baron pizza supreme and it was good. Half is left over to later.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Apr 14 at 2020 1:24 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 13:24:22 -0400

I'm not sure there's anything you can "do". A dysfunctional family will become only more so regardless of anything they might attempt. Quarantine is a pressure cooker that will bring out the worst. However, a healthy family relationship will thrive in the same circumstances. As a retired couple, my wife and I are simply "continuing the march" and it continues to work for us...

Response by SFC Michael D. made Apr 14 at 2020 3:14 PM

SFC Michael D. — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 15:14:35 -0400

I bought a VR system to keep my mind occupied and push bac the PTSD. You can only watch so many episodes of Live PD. Already board with XBox. I wanna get on my Harley but trying to comply with the "stay at home" order. This to shall pass.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Apr 14 at 2020 3:28 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 15:28:16 -0400

What is this thing "cabin fever" of which you speak? lol

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2020 6:06 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 18:06:15 -0400

I’m working out, eating less and playing more video games. I’m ready to go to BOLC (or do it online) so I can get branch qualified and go fight this thing!

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Apr 14 at 2020 6:27 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 18:27:56 -0400

We are spending a lot of time in the backyard :)

Response by Maj John Bell made Apr 14 at 2020 6:34 PM

Maj John Bell — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 18:34:15 -0400

Until my Governor, (Gretchen Whitmer, Democrat-MI) engaged in a colossal over reach, banning seed sales, I was getting my green houses ready for seedlings for my. I was supposed to pick them up yesterday. The seeds are sitting in the warehouse 10 miles away, with my name on them. But the nursery center is afraid of getting fined. Now I'm ordering from seed catalogs, facing backorder status, and shipping delays, and paying a premium. Thanks a lot Governor Whitmer

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 15 at 2020 5:46 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 17:46:21 -0400

I cuss a lot. I workout. I relish the fact I have lots of food and TP. This aint shit compared to PTSD.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Apr 16 at 2020 1:49 PM

SGT Herbert Bollum — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 13:49:43 -0400

Who gets to stay at home?? Us essential personnel have to go to work every day, even when it snows like it did last night and this morning (6 inches).