Lockdown survival kit for musician-mothers
With lockdown extending across the country, we’ve rounded up some helpful resources to support musician-mamas during this trying time. If advancements in technology would allow, we’d also send a coffee and lamington through the screen, but this will have to do for now!
Mental Health Resources for the Arts Community, from psychologist Chris Cheers
Chris Cheers is a psychologist and educator based in Melbourne, Australia. He is passionate about elevating wellbeing in the arts and LGBTIQ+ communities through specialised mental health services.
In this comprehensive article, Chris shares a heap of very excellent mental health and wellbeing resources, specifically created for the arts community – such as:
“Self and Identity” digital workshop – strategies to help artists cope during the pandemic, and find meaning beyond their role in the arts;
Practical activities for artists to process grief and stress;
“A psychologist's guide to surviving lockdown” – in this podcast with 7am, Chris shares his tips for managing mental health during a lockdown;
The first 2 chapters of “The Happiness Trap” by Russ Harris, which outlines the idea of creating space for emotion and committing to what’s meaningful;
A comprehensive list of arts-specific crisis support;
Heaps, heaps more.
Read Chris’ full list of arts-industry-focused resources here.
Artwork by Olivia Herrick @oliviaherrickdesign
Parents’ top tips for those struggling in the pandemic and lockdown
In this recent article on the ABC website, journalist Gemma Breen interviews seven Australian mothers to glean their advice for surviving lockdowns and the ongoing pandemic.
“Lower your expectations. This isn't a permanent situation. You're doing the best in an extraordinary set of circumstances.”
– Rachel (mum of three kids ages 6, 4 and 2)
"My three-year-old doesn't love change, so we had a bit of a difficult time with her adjusting to suddenly not having swimming and music and all the other fun things we usually do… What works well for us is keeping a routine (as much as possible!) so we always go out for a walk or bike ride etc in the morning, and although she doesn't really day-sleep anymore, she goes to her room for 30-60 minutes after lunch to rest.”
– Claire (a mum of two).
"We're just doing our best… We try to do one 'fun' thing a day, a planned activity that gives us all something to look forward to.”
– Hannah (a mum of two).
It can be so heart-affirming to hear you’re not the only one struggling – and there’s some practical advice in there that might work for you, too. Check out the full article here.
78 boredom-busting activities for kids (and their grown-ups)!
This list comes courtesy of Joe Hammond: drummer, audio engineer, music producer and dad to two kids (ages 3 and 7).
While most of these activities suit primary-school aged children, many can be adapted for younger/older siblings. They vary in levels of parental involvement – from watching nature documentaries, to home orienteering, learning a choreographed dance, or going backyard camping.
Bury coins in the sandpit or dirt for a treasure dig
Floor is lava (all day)
Cardboard cubby
Obstacle course
Table tent
Watch Buster Keaton movies
Paper trail
Trace around the kids
Face painting (let the kids paint you)
Home Orienteering (make a map and hide treats or objects)
Make a gravity track for balls or toy cars
Learn magic tricks together
Learn how to read an Analogue clock
Fashion parade
LEGO party
Make a shoebox diorama
Puppet show and/or puppet making
Biscuit / cake baking
Create a kid’s recipe book
Learn how to cartwheel / handstand / juggle
Make a cardboard street map for toy cars
Do a tutorial on “how to draw cartoon characters”
Couch cushion fort
Shadow puppets
Learn or create a choreographed dance
Guess the shadow of the object (with torch)
Music history YouTube party
Crossword / Word find / Maze printable activities
Play board games
Jigsaw puzzles (make your own)
Astronomy or stargazing
Backyard camping trip (or put a tent up in the lounge room)
Learn the Auslan alphabet
Card games
Learn to tie fancy knots
Sew a tote bag
Slime making
Bubble mixture making
Play dough making
Bird identification
Make your own board game
Watch David Attenborough documentaries
Google some Kitchen science activities
Skype party
Comic strip making / flip book animation
Paper aeroplane competition
Origami
iPhone Movie making (stop motion!)
Insect collecting
Tie dye
Plant some seedlings / cuttings
Hair gel styling
Learn to tie shoe laces
Marble golf course (flick with fingers, use a cup for the hole)
Write a letter to someone
Kite making
Finger knitting
Play charades
Practice fractions with a jug of water
Pompom making
Press and dry flowers
Shadow drawing
Leaf rubbing with crayons
Trace pictures with baking paper
God’s eye weaving
Tree/flower identification
Learn to use a tape measure (height, head circumference, etc)
Make a fairy garden
Rock painting
Time capsule / letter to your future self
Nature scavenger hunt
Bike ride scavenger hunt
Front garden concert
Tallest LEGO tower
Practice fractions with pizza cooking
Learn how to use simple tools (screwdriver, hammer)
Sewing buttons (or threading, for younger children)
Write neighbourhood chalk messages
Some other excellent people…
In recognition of the unique impact the pandemic has had on the music industry, Dr Andrew Gardiner is offering gap-free psychology sessions for musicians (with a mental health plan from your GP):
Curious Parenting provide practical, empowering resources for common parenting issues such as repair after conflict, dealing with meltdowns, self-care (for both child and parent), consent in childhood and building resilience. Check out their instagram.
Visualise a Venn diagram. In the left circle is “creativity”, in the right circle is “mental health”, and where the two circles overlap is the Make_Shift. Their instagram has a host of upcoming workshops and resources.
Kate Oliver is a singer-songwriter, mindfulness coach, actor and mother to three teenagers. Her album “Passing Clouds” is a gorgeous, 12-song indie-folk invitation to mindfulness for children (and their grown-ups). Themes range from gratitude, self-compassion, the breath, thoughts, to dealing with big emotions – and more.
The songs are designed to help our kids (and us!) find increasing moments of stillness, joy, mindfulness, and loving connection… and in doing so, create a calmer, kinder world. And guess what – the album sounds bloody beautiful too (produced by the aforementioned Joe Hammond). It’s on high-rotation at Mother Lode HQ.
Listen to “Passing Clouds” on Bandcamp, Spotify or Apple Music.
If you need to speak to someone now, reach out:
Support Act: Online or phone 1800 959 500 (24/7)
Lifeline: Online or phone 13 11 14 (24/7)