“It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” So wrote Charles Dickens. This could be a description of the current effects of the global pandemic! The coronavirus world lockdown is forcing us together in the most unusual ways. Great pressure produces diamonds!

Great pressure can also often produce creative comical genius.
Such is the case with the viral video “Family Lockdown Boogie”.

 

Jack Buchannan and his family give a ‘behind the scenes’ account of the whys and wherefores in this TV interview.

 

What is really amazing is that the Buchannan family video has spawned what appears to be hundreds of endearing family dance routines, each with their own sparkle.

Each and every family in the world has its own unique character. Every diamond is different, especially when it is held up to the light. Then each family’s individual humour and creativity shines through.

Here are my top seven takes on Family Lockdown Boogie, in order. Why don’t you look at them with your family and create your own Top Forty? There are many more to choose from on YouTube.  If nothing, it will put a smile on your family’s faces and it might inspire your family to do your own Family Lockdown music clip!

1. Patton Family:

2. Park Family:

3. Smith Family:

4. Vathsan Family:

5. Eschauzier Family:

6. De Cafemer Family:

7.  Island Family:

Jeff Boundy, our Dads4Kids photo editor, sent us this story featured in Grandads last week  “Through the Eyes of a Child’. It is a conversation between a child and their Grandad in 2095. It is a powerful story worth telling and worth repeating.

Child: How old are you, Grandad?
Grandad:  I’m 81, kid.
Child: So, does that mean you were alive during the coronavirus?
Grandad: Yes kid, I was.
Child: Wow. That must have been horrible Grandad. We were learning about that at school this week.

They told us about how all the schools had closed. And mums and dads couldn’t go to work so didn’t have as much money to do nice things. They said that you weren’t allowed to go and visit your friends and family and couldn’t go out anywhere. They told us that the shops ran out of lots of things so you didn’t have much bread, and flour, and toilet rolls — ‘child giggles’. They said that Easter holidays were cancelled. And they told us about thousands of people around the world that got very sick and died. They explained how hard all the doctors and nurses and all the health workers worked, and that many of them died too.

That must have been so horrible, Grandad.

Grandad: Well kid, that is all correct. And I know that because I read about it when I was older. But to tell you the truth I remember it differently…

I remember playing in the garden for hours with mum and dad and having picnics outside and lots of BBQs. I remember making things with my Dad and baking with my Mum. I remember making dens with my little brother and teaching him how to do handstands and back flips. I remember having quality time with my family. I remember mum’s favourite words becoming “Hey, I’ve got an idea…” rather than “Maybe later or tomorrow – I’m a bit busy”. I remember making our own bread and pastry. I remember having movie nights 3 or 4 times a week instead of just one.

It was a horrible time for lots of people — you are right. But I remember it differently.

Remember how our children will remember these times. Be in control of the memories they are creating right now, so that through all the awful headlines and emotional stories for so many, that they will come to read in future years, they can remember the happy times.

Lovework
I have already given your homework this week: Why don’t you look at them with your family and create your own Top Forty? There are many more to choose from on YouTube.  If nothing, it will put a smile on your family’s faces, and it might inspire your family to do their own Family Lockdown music clip!

Yours for Dancing Families,
Warwick Marsh

PS: Don’t forget about the FREE Coronavirus Dads4Kids Homeschooling Webinar. Join us as we share some tips for navigating this challenging time of homeschooling your children. Please tell your friends!

 

Some of the subjects that will be covered include:

• Find out how to keep your kids on track.
• Learn how to set good learning boundaries.
• Understand the discipline secrets of great teachers.
• Help your children achieve academically.
• and much, much more.

FREE Webinar — 8PM Tuesday 28 April 2020 — Book NOW

[Photo by Josh Willink from Pexels]