Celebrating Easter with Social Distancing

Hi guys, I want to start this month’s blog by saying that I hope you and your loved ones are all keeping well at this very stressful time. This month on Bernie’s blog, we’re going to look at some ways to celebrate Easter, which is coming up very shortly, in these very strange times.
I completely understand that some people may not feel like celebrating right now. This is a tough time, people are sick, many people have lost their jobs or are closed temporarily, and stress is at an all-time high. But, I think that a celebration is even more necessary in times like these.
From a practical point of view, children need continuity in their lives. They are already off school, are unable to play with their friends face to face and their formal hobbies and sports have had to be cancelled. While you’re already doing your best at homeschooling and keeping them entertained, children, particularly those who have been good at observing lent, need that release that Easter brings. And we, as adults, can give it to them.

---

​On a more ideological note, let’s remember what it is that Easter represents. Now, I know some of you have your own religious beliefs around Easter while others prefer to look at it in a more naturalistic way, but whatever tradition you subscribe to, the seed of the idea is the same, rebirth, new growth, new beginnings. That’s why the symbol for Easter is the Easter bunny, because lots of bunnies are born at this time of year.
We may not be there yet, but there will come a time for new beginnings, for getting back out into the world, for seeing our loved ones in the flesh again – so this Easter, why not let that be the focus of your attention?

At Emma Slowe Entertainment, we’re missing being out with all of you guys celebrating birthday parties and occasions of all sorts, but we are trying to stay in touch online until we can get back to doing what we do best. We posted a video recently featuring some Easter crafts which can be enjoyed by all the family – or to keep the kids entertained while you get some work done.
Around St. Patrick’s Day, I saw some lovely artwork being displayed in homes around my area. This is a nice way to spread some joy to the outside world. Your children’s artwork really can bring a smile to the faces of older people who may not have children in their home but will see it on their daily walk or while going to get some essentials from the shop.

You may not want to do arts and crafts while trying to work from home so why not dedicate a couple of hours to preparing some Easter crafts this weekend? That gives you time to get organised while ensuring it doesn’t conflict with your work.

Lots of our customers at Emma Slowe Entertainment love to spend holidays like Easter with family. After all, that’s what holidays are for. This year it will be different and maybe a bit more difficult. However, we are so lucky to have modern technology available to us. We plan to go live to wish everyone a happy Easter. You can do likewise.

I saw a lovely post recently of a young girl who recorded herself singing a very upbeat song which she shared with her grandparents who are on the far side of the world to spread some joy. Grandparents don’t need to be on the far side of the world to appreciate a gesture like that. What special gifts do your children have that they can share with your family over video call which will help lift everyone’s mood?

If you have space, you can arrange your own Easter Egg Hunt. Dial in the rest of the family while the children search for their eggs so that everyone can feel part of the occasion.
If there is still flour available in your local shop, why not bake some Easter treats with the children too?
Normally, at this time of the year, there is a whole host of activities arranged all over the country to help entertain the children and celebrate Easter. This year, we don’t have any of that, but we have a different opportunity. How we choose to use it is up to us. Now could be the ideal time to introduce older children to knitting or crocheting, if that’s something you know how to do. Perhaps they got an instrument for a birthday or other occasion which has been neglected due to lack of time? Now is the ideal time to encourage your children to try something new.

Our resilience is being tested right now. By showing our children that it’s ok and, indeed, right to celebrate even during hard times, by focussing on a positive outcome, and by helping them to tap into their own resilience through well-chosen activities, we can all grow from what’s been happening around us.

I would like to wish you all a very happy and healthy Easter. Enjoy the celebrations, in whatever form they take in your household. And please, remember, that while this is hard right now, we need to protect our loved ones by staying away from them for now. Don’t be tempted to go visiting, stay at home, have fun and connect with your loved ones through technology.

All the best,
​
Emma & the Emma Slowe Entertainment team x
 
P.S. If you don’t already follow us on Facebook, now is the time to do so. We’ll be staying in touch with everyone over there.