COVID-19 Is Shaking America

​Woah. Life in America looks a little bit different this week than anything I can recall. Store shelves empty. Museums, parks, restaurants all closed. Weddings are canceled, sports are called off, and events we've had tickets for for months are no longer going on. We've all been told that the best way to combat coronavirus in America is to just stay home.

If you're in any way a busy body like me, that's harder than it sounds. But if staying home for the next few weeks or a month even is the sacrifice we all have to make to take care of our country and society as a whole, then we should do it. 

After all, despite the obvious issues and negative effects coronavirus is having on our world at large, I'm the type of person who is always searching for the silver lining. Honestly, there are some GOOD things about staying home.

Below are some of the ways I'm keeping from going crazy during this coronavirus pandemic.
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Things to do while stuck at home:

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1. Take care of all the tasks you've been putting off.

I know. That doesn't sound fun at all. But honestly, there's no better time to take care of all the boring stuff you've been putting off. Just get it done!

For example, this week we filed our taxes. Next on my list is to purge all the closets, get rid of what we no longer have room for or want, and donate stuff! (To my surprise, Goodwill is still accepting donations as of this week.)

Accomplish some of the tasks you've been avoiding, and then when the social distancing requirements lift and the weather gets warmer, you'll be glad it's all done! Who knows - I might even get around to finishing the application for the doctorate degree program I've had my eye on!

2. Read more!

This one is obvious, right? But my favorite part about this is that the library and bookstores are closed, so I'm forcing myself to finally finish reading the 30+ unfinished books that have been lingering on my shelf for way too long.

3. Spend time on the hobbies you usually don't have enough time for!

You know that thing you LOVE, but never get around to doing because life is just so busy and so rushed? When else in your life are you going to have the freedom and time to spend uninterrupted hours doing whatever it is you love? 

For me, that's blogging, painting, writing, and sometimes it's just taking bubble baths or watching bad reality TV shows.

4. Do some yoga or exercise at home.

Earlier this week, my gym sent out a memo that it is CLOSED! It's essential to my mental health that I exercise regularly, so I was happy to see that several yoga studios are streaming their classes for free online right now (a lot of them accept donations/venmos)! Plus, YouTube has a plethora of fitness videos that you can do right from home. 

5. Brush up on a second or third language!

Apps like DuoLingo make it super easy to take up a new language. I've been practicing my Spanish on the app so that when I'm with Juan's family, I can join in on the conversation more!

6. You can still go outside.

We've been making sure to get out every day. As long as you're able to avoid groups and stay at least six feet away from others, going outside is not frowned upon. 

I've been going for runs, or we will go together on family walks, and we've even been to the outdoor tennis courts, as long as they aren't crowded. We bring out own equipment and sanitizer hand wipes. So far so good!
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​Things to do with kids at home:

I know staying home isn't all fun and games though. My husband and I are BOTH working from home, with two kids, in a 750-ish square foot apartment. Clothes still have to be washed and folded, meals have to be prepared, dishes must be done, and work doesn't just stop.

Check out the ways we're trying to occupy our kids, 1 year old and 5 years old, from home!

1. Let kids "help" with chores.

One of my kids' favorite things to do is to match the socks while I fold laundry. My older son has a lot of fun "helping" do simple tasks in the kitchen when I'm cooking dinner or lunch. Give them a cloth to help you wipe down tables or surfaces. They get to feel like they're contributing to the family, they think it's fun, and sometimes, it can actually help you get some stuff done!

2. Make bath time more fun.

Lately, I've been dumping a bunch of MegaBlox or Duplos in the tub with the boys. Actually, any hard, plastic toys (or even little cars) can go for a dip with the kids to make bath time more fun. Bonus - the toys get cleaned in the process! Just make sure to set toys out on the deck or out on a towel when you're done to fully dry off.

3. Do basically everything you did in the 80s or 90s for fun.

Before we were electronically-absorbed as a culture, we found ways at home to have fun. Bring that back with your kids. Play hide and seek. Have a dance party. Read ALL the books. Build a fort! 

4. Rotate the toys.

I've found that if all the toys are out and accessible all the time, my kids get overwhelmed and don't know what to play with at all. I think it helps to kind of rotate the toys in and out.

So for an hour or so, I'll get out the Play Doh. Then we'll put that up and get out the dinosaurs. Then we will put those up and get out the cars or nerf guns. And so on and so on! 

5. Arts and Crafts

I know there are a million moms out there who are all about creating some Pinerest worthy crafterpiecies with their little ones. Unfortunately, I am not one of those moms. If you are, more power to ya!!!

Nevertheless, for the rest of us, don't underestimate the power of a good kit of crayons/markers and a sketchbook! This can keep my older son entertained for literally like an hour at a time. For my littlest one, I love the "No Mess - Melissa and Doug" coloring books!

6. Board Games and Puzzles

Board games are straight up old-school, hearty family fun. Some of Isaiah's favorites are Candyland, Guess Who?, and Connect Four. We will often give our youngest a game-piece (as long as it's big enough to not be a choking hazard!) to let him "play along" with us.

And puzzles are AWESOME! When else do you have time to linger around a puzzle? It's so relaxing, and supposedly solving puzzles keeps the mind sharp.

Online Resources for Older kids at home:

I'm a teacher, and I'm really thankful that my middle-school students have access to technology to continue their learning at home. In addition to continuing to teach them through video lessons and digital activities while schools are closed, I've also been homeschooling my own kindergarten son.

​A lot of educational websites are offering free services during the pandemic. If you're looking to enhance your own child's learning at home, check out the following online resources:

• BrainPop and BrainPop Jr. (I use Jr with my son and BrainPop with my middle school students. It includes fun videos, games and quizzes on literally everything, from solar systems to government.)
• Newsela.com (This is best for developed readers, probably ages 8+. It takes current events and news, but adapts it to meet students at the reading Lexiles where they are.)
• NoRedInk.com (This is even awesome for adults! Correct those pesky grammar mistakes once and for all, in a fun game form.)
• iCivics.org (Once again, adults and older kids alike can benefit from this site that has games and lessons to understanding all things Civics and Government.)
• Kiddopia (Isaiah and Nehemiah both LOVE this app, so I recommend it for all kids, toddlers and up. It has fun games about cooking, pet care, etc.)
• ABC Mouse (This is definitely for preschool and younger elementary kids, and it requires a subscription, but Isaiah really likes it and seems to learn a lot.)

You've Got This.

I know this is crazy and sad and weird and hard, but try to keep a positive attitude and make the most of this time we've been given to stay at home.

Thank you to those of you who still go to work each and every day to ensure our society carries on. Our healthcare workers, grocery store workers, truck drivers, policemen, power and gas company workers, and so on - THANK YOU SO MUCH! 

Also, if you have lost someone you love or experienced any financial or emotional hardships due to Coronavirus, please send me a message or leave a comment below. I'd love to pray for you and encourage you. We've got this, y'all!