Teenagers learning skills in isolation

Islamabad : Since the government has strict lock down due to COVID-19, people are trying to cope with the situation restricting themselves to home and going out only for grocery or to get medicine.

Normal life has come to a complete halt and only hospitals, grocery stores and shops, and pharmacies are open to the public. People are now working from home, students are taking on-line classes and trying to cope with isolation and social distancing.

Teenagers who don't find time to learn basic life skills because of their studies are now getting ample time to catch up on their hobbies and learning various skills.

Now, many mothers are making sure that learning life lessons are part of their family routine. There are many families who have assigned different duties to their kids to do daily chores. Girls are trying their hands on baking and cooking, even boys are learning how to cook and wash dishes. They are feeling excited to iron clothes and do laundry. Kids are learning how to draw and paint as well as learning calligraphy. Kids are also trying to learn foreign languages as it's the best time to learn a new language.

Saima Habib, a mother of three kids said that she doesn't know how long this lockdown would continue, but she's making sure that her kids maintain good hygiene, wash their hands multiple times in a day, take daily showers, use hand sanitizers, and refrain from handshaking with anyone. “Besides keeping them disciplined at home and engaging them in some activities, I have to make sure that they don't catch cold or flu in these current circumstances, giving them a special diet to boost their immune system,” she said.

Tahreem Khan said that she’s happy that her teenage boys are learning how to use simple tools like hammer and screw-drivers and fixing small installations and learning how to hang a picture. While the girls are using kitchen appliances and learning fast, the time-cutting skills. With all the exams delayed for months, the students are trying their best to kill time and engage in indoor activities and spending some time with plants and pots.

Shahida Salman, an entrepreneur, said that she is making the most of these trying times and learning online marketing now from her children, so that her business doesn't get affected by the lockdown.

Fatima Mazhar, a mother of three children said that since Ramadan is around the corner, she has engaged all her children into making ration bags for the deserving people and would made sure that they are present in every step of charity they intend to do, so that they become responsible citizen when they grow up and understand the importance of charity and donations.