Parenting & Sport: Lockdown Edition 3 
3 weeks in and it looks like we've got a bit more to come?!

From what I can gauge, the decision to extend the lock down looks like being extended for another 3 weeks at least = aaghhhhhhh! Well I guess its not a surprise but it will likely be more difficult than the first 3 weeks that's for sure. Have you got it what it takes to keep going? Can you keep your kids off Fortnite? Can you still be bothered to play spot the difference with Jo Wicks in the morning!? So many questions and so much time! I guess we dont know really know how we will all cope but we must try and take our lead from Captain Tom and soldier on (what an inspiration that guy is!).

This edition of my lock down blog focuses on the issue of staying in control in the next few weeks and how we can maintain our sanity whilst still helping our kids to enjoy their time developing their sports interests.  Hopefully you can find some ideas in here or some support for what will no doubt be a challenging time for the whole country as the money runs out, the boredom increases and the kids smell blood and think they can take over the place. 

Good luck with it all and try to keep the drinking hours under control!

• Firstly, start by sitting down together to discuss ideas for your challenges. Discuss what you would all like to do and achieve so you can help each other with making it happen and creating your plan. 
• Commit the goals to a diary or chart and display it somewhere - an old calendar is good but equally you can write it on the board or create a post it note chart with each one of the sessions written on individual notes. The more visual the better (plus it will add an extra task to the process and re-enforce the progress you are making)
• Make sure your sessions to get to your goal are realistic, varied and fun. No one wants to push too hard at the start so give yourself targets that you can manage at the start and ramp them up over time. Make the last session to get over the line something that will be really rewarding if you can do it. 
• Break your goal down into sections and try and make each section focus on a theme. For example, a running challenge can have distance (week 1), time (week 2), intensity (week 3) as each of the different weekly subjects before you run your final time and hit your goal. This helps with breaking down the fear factor of what you are trying to achieve and keeps the mind involved in the challenge. 
• Set a specific time of the day to do the work. Try and commit to these times as part of the planning so that you can get into the routine of what is being asked of you. Make sure you agree this with your team, kids or whoever is doing the challenge with you. 
• Finally..appoint and accountability partner for your challenge. Someone who can ask you if you have completed your challenges and keep track of how you are doing. Your other half might be perfect to keep track of your progress but why not ask one of the kids to be your accountability manager? They will love checking up on you!