Facing Fear with Fun
Everywhere I go recently, the topic of conversation is the same: Coronavirus.
It's impacted so many things already, and this is only the beginning.
The kids are coming home from school full of questions. They're hearing scary stories, speculation, and every kind of misinformation. So much is unknown anyway, but the unknowns mixed with the fearful commentary have left them feeling more than a little uneasy.
Tonight, as we processed and wondered how to ease the situation, we came up with an idea. We in no way want to make light of the situation that's unfolding around us. It's not a light matter. But we're keenly aware that our children are just that: children. We wanted a way to help them manage the series of scary news and closures that are likely just around the corner without feeling overwhelmed by them.
And so, we've created a family Coronavirus Bingo tournament.
It's impacted so many things already, and this is only the beginning.
The kids are coming home from school full of questions. They're hearing scary stories, speculation, and every kind of misinformation. So much is unknown anyway, but the unknowns mixed with the fearful commentary have left them feeling more than a little uneasy.
Tonight, as we processed and wondered how to ease the situation, we came up with an idea. We in no way want to make light of the situation that's unfolding around us. It's not a light matter. But we're keenly aware that our children are just that: children. We wanted a way to help them manage the series of scary news and closures that are likely just around the corner without feeling overwhelmed by them.
And so, we've created a family Coronavirus Bingo tournament.
Each person's card has a list of all the things that have or are expected to be impacted by the virus in the next few weeks. Each day, they can cross off items on their card. The first person to get a straight line will win the Grand Prize (there's still some debate about what that prize will be, exactly). Let the game begin!
The thing about this little activity is that it serves a couple of purposes. For one, it makes the disappointment of cancelled events just a little less. It also helps them anticipate some of the things that might be impacted by the unfolding of this situation, such as school, libraries, stores, etc. It makes a scary situation a little less scary by approaching it with a game. But, perhaps more importantly, it teaches them to approach the unknown, the scary, with confidence. We don't have to be afraid of what is happening because we are still firmly in the hands of the God who has always held us. We can "laugh at the days to come," (Proverbs 31:25).
A bingo game won't eliminate all the fear, won't keep things from being closed, and won't keep this virus from sweeping through our lives. But maybe it'll teach our kids to face the future with joy, the unknowns with a heart that is prepared and not focused on the worst moments.
