Tuesday, March 17, 2020

I'm Scrambling... Like We All Are

It's been a crazy week. G's school has been canceled for two weeks but I'm betting it'll close even longer. So we are scrambling to figure out online class stuff for his school and schedules here. Also, it's hard to find supplies at the stores. We're self-quarantining and trying to limit our outdoor times by just playing by ourselves outside and only going to the grocery store when needed. But the panic is real. Being at the store today, my emotions told me to buy ALL THE THINGS! While logically I had to keep telling myself we just need these few items, we have plenty of other things at home to last awhile... It's so hard to be human sometimes with these brains!

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We managed to make Krispie treats! 


I'm trying to let G know what's going on but without freaking him out. We've been listening to the podcast BrainsOn. It has some great information on the Covid-19 virus as well as some episodes on critical thinking when it comes to media.

We're just trying to figure it out and not be so hard on ourselves. I read an opinion piece in our local newspaper about journaling and recording this experience of living through the worst global pandemic in recent history. Future generations (if there are any... ) will want to know personal experiences about this time. So I figured it sounded like a good idea. I've been encouraging G to write about his thoughts and I'm following along with him.

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We got a book from the publisher Quirk Books for free in exchange for a review. G and I will be reading this one aloud soon! Lots of fun stuff to promote the book. We can't wait to read it!

I've been on Facebook more in the last few days than I have in months. But I am OK with that. It's helping me to connect with people. There are funny memes. There are groups forming to help those who need supplies. I'm seeing humanity again. I'm connecting with people I care about and hearing about their positive experiences and also their struggles. I've got a group chat with a bunch of my friends that keeps it real. I'm getting great ideas for what to do with G now that school's canceled. We were finally introduced to Fiona, the Hippo, from the Cincinnati Zoo. We have loved her videos.

We're hunkering down. We know it's going to get worse before it gets better. We're trying to help out where we can and trying to stay connected and informed. We're all in this together.

Here are some great resources for having kiddos at home during this time:

Imagination Soup-- Her resources are priceless. Booklists for every age group and resources for just about everything.

Big Life Journal-- It's an amazing resource to teach kids about the growth mindset. It's got a free podcast and lots of free downloads. It's been invaluable to help mitigate stress and anxiety.

KiwiCo-- It's one of those box subscriptions with science, art, history, culture, etc. But they have some great tips and free ideas.

This is just a small sampling. But PBS has a ton of stuff from the Crash Course series to smaller videos on science and culture. Lots of museums offer virtual tours. The Met Opera is offering free performances as well online. Khan Academy is top-notch as well. Disney+ has a ton of fun documentaries on different subjects. So many ideas.

I just had to get some of this out of my head. May you all stay safe and healthy! And I hope you find more time to read some good books!

I won't lie... I am reading
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And we watched this over the weekend

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Someone told me to STOP and watch Schitt's Creek instead. I definitely need to do this.

Here's some kitty love. Nala has been super clingy lately and loves to climb up on my back and rest around my neck. I wonder if she'll continue to do it when it gets hot. I'm guessing I'm a heat source and I give her some head scratches!

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