Lifestyle
A Note to My (Other) Kids During Social Distancing
Long before I had my children, I had “my kids” — aka, my students. While giving birth and raising my girls is…
There Is No Playbook
They were taking it hour by hour, trying to figure out what the next move was that would keep us safe. Now I know what they must have felt. And while I don’t have a pandemic playbook, I do have the knowledge that if I take each step with my children’s safety and wellness in mind, I’ll be doing the best I can.
Thriving with Routine :: Tips for Maintaining a Family Schedule
Our daily routine has helped us maintain a sense of structure. I’m teaching my kiddos about responsibility and the importance of a daily routine, but also about flexibility and the element of surprise. As long as we’re getting our daily chores done (make the beds, clean up, brush our teeth), there’s always room for spontaneity and fun!
Confessions of a Homeschool Flop
On nice days, I shoo the children out the door. The dog digs holes. The children fall into the holes. The kids don’t come inside until they are covered in more dirt than the ground itself. They’re practically feral. There have been approximately two nice days.
It Is Better to Be Defined by Our Kindness than Our Fear
We are better than this, my friends. Fellow moms, we are used to loving selflessly, giving when we don’t think we have anything left, and caring even when we don’t want to. Now is the time for us to lead. Not (just) by how well prepared we are or how well we protect our own families (although both are important), but by how we love our neighbors.
Zoom :: The New Night Out?
I have been Zooming all week. Staff meetings, department meetings, morning meetings, read alouds for my kids, a special ‘happy birthday’ for my son, and my favorite — happy hour. Zoom happy hour has become a regular part of my day, when I carve out time to enjoy a drink (or more) and chat with friends. These calls have been vital to my week and help keep me sane and grounded each night.
Cheers to You, Disney+
When Disney+ first came out, there was no question of whether we would get it or not. Not only did it have Disney, Marvel, AND throwback shows and movies my husband and I grew up with (I’m looking at you, “Boy Meets World” and “Brink”), we loved the idea of having the Disney classics available for our son to watch.
Kids Love Podcasts Too! :: Family Podcasts I’m Loving Today
There are huge benefits of allowing children (and adults!) to listen to podcasts, which are essentially synonymous to the “old school radio shows” of the past. If used frequently, they can improve concentration, critical listening skills, and imagination. Attention and memory are also built over time in order to follow along with the story or episode. I went on a quarantine quest to find my favorite podcasts for kids, and I was totally unprepared with the amount of amazing material I found!
“Mommy, Come Play With Me”
On some level, our children know things are different right now. Their level of understanding may vary, but kids are extremely intuitive. They may not be able to verbalize the confusion or unsettledness they feel in these extreme circumstances, but they do know how to say, “Mommy, come play with me.”
