Quarantine Moms

One busy Quarantine Mom is Lindsay Hoopes of Hoopes Family Vineyard. A homicide-lawyer-turned-winemaker, Lindsay shares her family estate with nearly 30 rescued farm animals, her loving husband Miten, three year old son Rohan and new baby, Raj. On top of managing the production of her family’s award-winning wines, hosting cooking demos with The Food Network and Cooking Channel’s Elena Besser, and preparing to open the serene outdoor space, Oasis by Hoopes, Lindsay has been keeping her little ones busy while imparting important life lessons. 

Here are a few of her ideas that will keep kids of any age happily entertained:

• Get your hands dirty

  • There is so much to learn in a green space. Photosynthesis, symbiotic relationships, companion planting -- there are endless studies to be inspired by a garden. If you don’t have planter beds at home, use a windowsill! All you really need is sunshine, water and strategically saved kitchen scraps. The tops of carrots and ends of scallions, romaine lettuce and celery can all be regrown in a small dish, mug or cup of water. Quick to sprout, the wonders of nature should reveal itself with new growth in just a few days! Whether gardening inside or outside, don’t forget to wash your hands when you’re done; a timely and always important hygiene practice. 

• The Season’s Gifts

  • A follow-up to gardening days, or if your urban location doesn’t afford the luxury, schedule a socially distanced excursion to your local Farmer’s Market. Meet those who dedicate their days to agriculture and pick up the produce of the month. A multi-sensory experience!

  • Cooking & Cleaning

    • We aren’t kidding! An introduction to math and nutrition while developing fine motor skills, kitchen time with kids can be fun and delicious. Don’t forget to don aprons to cut down on the mess and make clean-up part of the routine, establishing helpful habits.

  • Natural Tie Dyes 

    • Save your food scraps for the week and enjoy a colorful treat. The perfect activity for summer, use black beans for blue, beets for pink, avocado skins for peach, red cabbage for purple, onion skins for orange and turmeric for golden yellow. Teach youth to respect every bit of food and that even the “waste” can be given a second life. 

  • Move Together

    • Make workouts more entertaining by involving the kids -- and harder to skip as it’s a family activity! Lay out extra mats and yoga blocks, and modify circuits to incorporate the little ones. Prioritizing fitness eliminates excuses and sets the foundation for healthy lifestyles.