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Mothers' Week: Planning safe family activities during the pandemic

Local mom offers ideas for safe summer activities
Posted at 6:21 PM, May 25, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-25 19:26:20-04

OMAHA, Neb. — As mothers try and navigate their way through the pandemic, we wanted to feature them this week for The Rebound - Heartland, "Mothers' Week". One local mom took it upon herself to offer families safe activity ideas during the pandemic so everyone can stay safe while having fun this summer.

Eight years ago Kim Reiner started her blog, "Oh My! Omaha."

"It's just like a mom talking to another mom saying 'We just found this cool, beautiful park you have to go see it.' So it's just been kind of like a megaphone for me," Reiner said.

The travel and activities blog advises parents on things to do for the whole family. But Kim has recently had to change up her mission, to make sure she's featuring activities that are safe for families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We've just been digging deep and finding new things outdoors," she said.

She recommends activities outdoors, at places like state parks. Large scale areas are a great way to spend time together without getting too close to others.

"Kids are struggling. That's why I try and stick to the outdoors. I think it helps them with their mood anyway that I don't have to say no so often because we're spread out, there's people far away from us," Reiner said.

Her latest trip that she wrote about was to Scatter Joy Acres - a working farm and petting zoo. On her blog she writes, "the acreage is spacious so it's pretty easy to practice social distancing."

"It was like a breath of fresh air for the whole family. It was wonderful to be outside, in open spaces and with adorable animals," Reiner said.

But still, going to any public area is still considered a risk. A risk expecting mothers like Jessica Ethridge, are not willing to take.

"Between being pregnant and having a child, we just don't go out. We don't. We haven't since mid-March when schools called it quits and my husband's job said they're working remotely from home. We seriously have not been to one store," Ethridge said.

Since pregnant woman are considered vulnerable when it comes to COVID-19, Reiner also offers up some virtual family activity ideas on her blog.

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