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Making Home a Haven for the Whole Family

September 9, 2022

by carol evenson, guest contributor

When the COVID pandemic swept the world in 2020, people had to adjust their lifestyles to maintain "social distance" in order to keep themselves and others safe. That translated to a lot more time spent at home; work, school, and even hobbies transitioned to a virtual platform. While this was a difficult adjustment for many people, there were some silver linings in that homes really had to become sanctuaries for families. Without outside distractions, families could focus on each other and on what they really needed and wanted in a home. Now that leaving the house is no longer taboo, the lesson learned remains: homes can be our favorite place to be, regardless of circumstance. The best part of this lesson is that now we know that we can make our homes into anything we would like them to be; a place to relax and recharge, play and learn, or socialize with friends, virtually or otherwise. Whether or not quarantine ever becomes a thing again, check out this list of ways to make the most out of staying home.

1. Plan A Gathering––Virtually

You don't have to leave the comfort of your own house to host a gathering with friends or extended family. With the advent of Zoom, FaceTime, Facebook chat, and other virtual face-to-face communication methods, you can enjoy each other's company even if you're not in the same space. Get a team together and search for a virtual trivia event; since the pandemic, several trivia contests have revamped themselves, making it possible to play from anywhere! If trivia is not your thing, round up the group for a virtual coffee tasting or even sample some different wines and rate them.

2. Expand Your Oasis––With A Swimming Pool

Since you're spending a bunch more of your time at your house, maybe it's time to give it a facelift! If you're home and have some time to work on some projects, choose what needs the most attention and dive in!

Speaking of diving in, have you always wanted a pool but never had the time to attend to the project? Now is the perfect time to search for some pool builders near me and check out your options. With your very own pool, you can enjoy the outdoors safely, get some exercise, and entertain the whole family. After all, every oasis needs some water.

3. Explore a New Hobby or Interest

Do you have a specific goal or an interest that you've never really had the time to explore fully? Now that you and the family are home more often, you'll have some time to delve into something new. Perhaps plant a garden and include the fruits of your labor in a brand new recipe. Try your hand at a new craft, such as knitting or crochet, diamond painting, cross stitch, scrapbooking, or even building LEGO models! Perhaps explore a new podcast if you prefer something a little more hands-off. There are literally hundreds of thousands of podcasts on any subject matter that interests you! From true crime to comedy and history to pop culture, you're guaranteed to find something to pique your interests.

4. Remember To Play––Board Games, That Is

If you're bored at home, the kids are getting antsy, and you don't know what to do, you may be overlooking a great form of entertainment sitting right under your nose. When was the last time you had a family game night? Dust off those board games and let the fun begin. Board games are not only delightfully entertaining, but they're educational too. Board games can help you show them a variety of life lessons, including problem-solving, taking turns and sharing, and working together as a team. You'll have so much fun together that the kids will forget they're learning!

Spending more time at home doesn't have to be a recipe for boredom. Trying out a new hobby, beautifying your space, playing and learning with the kids, and gathering virtually with friends and loved ones are just a few ways to remake your home into everyone's favorite place. You have the power to transform your home into a fun, safe, and educational place for you and your entire family.

Guest Writer

Carol Evenson is an entrepreneur and professional consultant specializing in C-level training and business growth. She currently works with organizations across the globe assisting CEOs with their expansion strategies. Carol also works as a real estate agent when she has the time.

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