In the 6am hour, Hunter and Rachel vented about things that COVID-19 has taken away from them, and have made them frustrated.

After releasing your frustrations, you can look to the 4 P’s that help us combat stress during this time of isolation. These tips come

1. Perspective. Keeping perspective means that people must try to see things in proper relation to the bigger picture. While it’s accurate that the pandemic has created a sense of unpredictability, our reactions to what is happening are very much in our control and have the ultimate impact on how well we fare through this crisis.
2. Purpose. Many children and teens are bored and don’t understand why they can’t just do what they want — after all, they don’t have the virus, right? Governor Baker said it best when he told the people of Massachusetts that their purpose is to do their part to contain this pandemic. Children and teens need to understand that maintaining the shelter in place is doing their part. You may feel powerless over the situation, and yet your purpose is to help contain the virus.
3. Positive Thinking. Positive thinking has helped humans overcome so much adversity. Norman Vincent Peale described this phenomenon in 1952 in his well-known book, The Power of Positive Thinking. Since that time, numerous research studies have validated his hypothesis that positive thinking leads to positive outcomes. Being successful while living through this pandemic will require positive thinking. On the flip side, chronic worry will increase cortisol and lower immune functioning making people more vulnerable to the virus and other problems.
4. Productivity. Most of us have more time because we are at home all day, every day. Be productive by learning a new skill or hobby. You have the time and take advantage of it and become proficient in something meaningful to you.

See more tips and tricks here!

During this time of isolation, we can start to get fed up with our families. So…how can we show the ones we love the most grace? Focus on the Family has us covered!

Let’s look at the word, GRACE.

• G – Begin with gratitude. When I’m ready to react in anger, I stop and recognize that I’m grateful and blessed to have a husband, children and other loved ones who love and support me.
• R – Resist the emotions. I make a choice to resist expressing negative emotions.
• A – Adjust my thinking. I realize that whatever my loved one is doing that is annoying me is likely unintentional. Rather, it’s his or her way of communicating a need.
• C – Communicate kindly. Sometimes it helps to start with a question. “What can I do for you?” “ How can I help?” Or, offer an honest response. “I know this is hard on all of us.”
• E – Express genuine appreciation. This becomes the undeserved gift. You might be able to make a good argument for dishing out some criticism but when you turn that urge around and offer an encouraging word instead, most often that response calms the other person down.

To see the entire article, click here!

Thanks to cru.org, we found some great ways for you and your family to celebrate Easter this year, despite being inside because of COVID-19.

1. Experience through Watching
   • Make it a movie night! Grab some popcorn, invite friends over and host a movie night in your living room or under the stars in your backyard. We’ve listed some movie options below. After the movie, spark conversation using some discussion questions included here.
   • » The Story of Jesus for Children
   • » The JESUS Film (available in more than 1,600 languages)
   • » Magdalena: Through Her Eyes
   • » Gospel-centered short films (Pick a few of your favorites. We recommend My Last Day, an animated short film about Jesus’ death from the perspective of the thief next to him, and Falling Plates, a four-minute gospel presentation)
2.  Experience through Technology
   • The Easter Collection, “Anticipate the Resurrection”, is a series of quick videos that will help you share the Easter story and reflect on the life, death and love of a Savior. To access the collection, download the Jesus Film App for free here: www.jesusfilm.org/app
   • GodTools equips you to confidently talk with others about how they can begin and grow their relationship with God…even if you’ve never shared your faith before. Download the GodTools App for free here: https://godtoolsapp.com/
   • Use these phone wallpapers to start conversations with others about Easter and to remind yourself of the hope we have in Jesus’ death and resurrection
3. Experience by Reading
   • Here are a few blogs that help start conversations about Jesus, His life and what He did for us on the cross. Help your friends experience too by sharing on social media or text them a post you like.
     • “The Miracles of Jesus”
     • “How My Husband’s Death Changed the Way I See Easter”
     • “Rolling Away the Stone of Doubt in the Resurrection”
     • “55 Old Testament Prophecies”

Instead of going to church, experience it online! See the complete list here. 

Make sure to check our website, WNZR.fm, for all the information about COVID-19, and how local organizations will be celebrating Easter despite this pandemic.

During this time of COVID-19, normal things are proving difficult. One of those things is grocery shopping. Here are some tips and tricks for when you have to head out to get supplies for you and your family.

Getting Groceries Delivered

• High-risk individuals should use a delivery service when possible.
• Order earlier than you usually do. Delivery times are filling up faster than usual.
• Avoid an in person hand off. Arrange for a “no-contact delivery” and tip electronically.
Here are a few suggestions for local delivery options:
• Instacart (Aldi, Kroger and CVS)
• Walmart Grocery – Delivery and pick-up available “we’re working to fulfill as many orders as possible. Check time slot availability before starting your order

• Kroger Click-List– Make sure that you order ahead of time and schedule a time!

When going to the store:

• Plan what you are going to buy to help minimize your time in the grocery store.
• Do not buy more than you and your family will need for two weeks.
• If you arrive and it appears really crowded, leave and return another time. Shop earlier if you must to avoid the rush.
• Be prepared to wait – many grocery stores are limiting the number of shoppers in the store at a time. Be sure to read and follow any signs and instructions that have been posted by grocery stores.
• Bring wipes – wipe down your cart and hands. Gloves won’t work – if you touch an infected surface with gloves you will only infect the next thing you touch.
• Use wipes to open freezer doors. Touch as few surfaces as possible.
• Commit to what you are buying before picking it up
• Don’t touch your face while shopping, and sneeze or cough into your elbow.
• Keep a two-grocery-cart-space between yourself and other shoppers.
• Practice proper social/physical distancing, while waiting your turn at the register.
• Use plastic bags or bag your own food if you have brought reusable bags (some grocery stores
are requiring this).
• Try virtual payment system like Apple Pay (with your phone) so you don’t have to open your wallet at all.
• Sanitize your hand and your phone as soon as you reach the car with hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol content).

• Wear a face mask, as recommended by the CDC.

So… how do I make a face mask?

The CDC has some wonderful recommendations on how to make an at-home face mask.

Cloth face coverings should—

• fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• be secured with ties or ear loops
• include multiple layers of fabric
• allow for breathing without restriction
• be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.  Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.

Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators.  Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

Click HERE to see the CDC’s complete list of recommendations and how to make face masks with cloth, a t-shirt, and bandannas!

Parenting Tips