Born in 1984, I grew up during the Lebanese Civil War. For long periods of time my family had to stay sheltered in place and survive with limited resources.

And believe it or not, I have many happy memories of those days!

I can imagine, however, that those who were adults at the time would say the opposite, as for them it was traumatic. 

But somehow, my memories are positive because my experiences were filtered by the grown-ups who prevented their worries and fears from affecting the innocence, "joie de vivre" and creativity of their children.  

And now that I am the grown-up, I have embarked on a mission to fiercely, creatively and thoughtfully “protect” my kids’ childhood. I have only one clear and worthy goal as a mom now. I want my kids to ask me in 30 years: “Mom, how come we only have happy memories of the Covid-19 lockdown?”

I do not doubt that kids “read” life by looking closely at their parents’ expressions, by amplifying the words of their parents and observing their every move.

The universe can be crumbling down but with a warm look, a heartfelt word or a reassuring hug you give your child the sense that their lives seem safe and peaceful. 

And on top of that, if this child gets to play, have fun, laugh and create it builds resilience in them!

I was that child.

We would run low on food, but I wouldn't know! All I remember was that we were having fun inventing new recipes with what we had!

We would need to stay locked-in for days on end. But I remember waking up every day excited to play Monopoly with my siblings for hours!

We would need to change our location for safety reasons, and every time we do, we'd find other refugees in relatives’ houses, there'd be many kids crowded in one room. Do you know how a kid would see that? A major sleepover!

We would not have our toys with us but, well, anything can become a toy in the hand of a child who feels safe and plays "pretend"! 

We would play “shelter” with our dolls for hours; pretending that we were the adults and that we were protecting our dolls.

We even used to play a card game called “war.” Sounds cruel, right? Except that it felt like any other card game: witty, fun, competitive and addictive!

So, for parents out there, to get through this as best as we can and protect the innocent childhood of our little precious ones, I encourage all of us to mimic what kids do: play and pretend!

Pretend to invite your kid’s friends. Talk to them. Laugh with them.

Pretend you are going camping and use your bedsheets to make a tent. Pretend to eat marshmallows around a fire and describe how it melts in your mouth.

Allow your kids to play as babies if they show signs that they need it! Don’t be surprised if they want to watch Peppa Pig all over again or use their forgotten highchair… Don’t we all wish we could be soothed like a baby right now?

Play Monopoly way past bedtime. Why not?

Let your kids invent a new recipe. Banana and ketchup for once… again, why not?

Pretend you are doctors and patients, I bet they will bring up the words “corona” or “virus” and it will feel okay because they feel okay.

Pretend that the sound of sirens is a pack of wolves and that you are all the heroes in that scenario – practicing your “stay in and stay strong” superpowers!

Play and pretend in any way you know how…. It will all feel real, familiar, fun and safe… I promise.

Years from now, your kids' memories will be of how they felt back then and not the circumstances of those feelings. 

And guess what? As adults you will find yourselves energized with more purpose to your days, God knows we need that right now!

Remember “shelter” means “protected” and “safe,” and our kids deserve to feel sheltered every day of their childhood, even when we are actually in a state of emergency and lockdown.

Happy “sheltering” you all!

~Dedicated to my mother and to my father -  may his soul R.I.P.