Renting can feel much less expensive and much simpler than buying a home, especially right now. No repairs, no property taxes, no worrying about mortgage rates – you just pay the bill and move o...
Published April 22, 2020
“STAY HOME” ENCOURAGEMENT FOR MOMS
“STAY HOME” ENCOURAGEMENT FOR MOMS
By Lauren Hopkins, Realtor at Jones Realty Group
I should probably start this with the most obvious of facts first. I am not a blogger. Nor am I an expert…on anything really. So, now that I’ve put that out there, where should I begin?
If you would have asked me two months ago where I saw myself mid-April. I can assure you ‘quarantining at home during a world wide pandemic’ would not have been in even my top 50 responses. Yet, here we are. It’s strange to think about it, even now. I am sitting here at my desk, which 32 days ago was merely my dining room table, writing this, unsure even as I go what to say. Life is funny that way sometimes.
I’ve quite literally been on a roller coaster of emotions since the first stories of Coronavirus started on the news several weeks ago. My mind went from thinking it was being blown out of proportion and not giving it much thought, to thinking that ‘some time at home would actually be nice’, to ‘will things ever be normal again?’ I sit here now wondering what normal even is anymore. What my normal is. I was a stay-at-home-mom for eight years so the thought of doing it again didn’t seem like it would be a huge adjustment for me. Boy, was I wrong about that.
Being home all day with a seven and nine year-old presents it’s own set of challenges and fears. When school was first called off and I thought we would have just a few short weeks at home, I was motivated. I made a daily chart that I swore we would follow. I even built in snack and play time. Honestly, how hard could this be? I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that not 1 day out of the 32 we’ve been home have we actually followed that whole schedule from start to finish. Not ONE.
It’s fair to say that my pre-quarantine-high got the best of me on that one. I was over zealous and unprepared. How do I become an elementary school teacher over night? How do I keep them entertained without allowing them to run wild all day or inversely without having them sit in front of a screen all day? How do I walk the line of being honest with them about what is going on in the world without scaring them even when I’m a little scared myself? After 32 days, I still don’t know that I have any of that figured out.
As humans, and I’ll go out on a limb and say specifically as women and more specifically yet, as mothers - we tend to feel the literal weight of the world on our shoulders. We assume that we have to be the teacher, the chef, the maid, the referee, the entertainment and the law - all without faltering. It’s an exhausting expectation that we put on ourselves. I will be the first to admit, I’m not exactly excelling in these new rolls. Honestly, I’m down right failing at parts.
I’m finding my mind full of questions for the universe and for myself. When did 3rd grade math become so complicated? How many snacks can a seven-year old actually consume in one day? Will having cereal for dinner two nights in a row negatively impact our kids? How many times a week is too many to cry in the closet? And, is 3:00 on a Tuesday really too early for a glass of wine? I don’t have the answers. Except about the wine - it’s never too early for wine. But I do know this; none of us expected this, so why do we expect so much of ourselves because of it?
After 32 days I’m here to tell you, it’s okay. Whatever schoolwork you are managing to get done with your kids every day, is okay. The amazing chart I created on day 1 still hangs in the dining room where the girls and I do our work during the day. Do we follow the schedule all the way? No. Some days are better than others. Some days we find new focus that drives schooling in a different direction. Other days, we take the opportunity to just play in the backyard and not crack the computer at all.
It’s all okay.
Cereal for dinner is okay, even if it is two nights in a row. And you know what, your kids will actually love you for it. Snacks for lunch on occasion is okay too. Crying in the closet is okay. And wine before 3:00 on a Tuesday, totally okay. Whatever you have to do to keep yourself and your family not just physically healthy, but mentally healthy, it’s okay.
I don’t know how long this is all going to last. It could be weeks or months or years. No one really knows. What I do know is that I am not perfect. I get sad, I get bored, I get irritated and I haven’t worn anything but pajamas in 32 days and I’m telling myself that it’s okay. I will tell you that it’s okay too. We’re all experiencing this together and trying to figure it out just the same. What is right for someone else might not be what is right for you, and that’s okay. It’s all going to be okay.
I want to leave you with the parting sentiment that we can all do our best to be a little kinder to each other and to ourselves, because we’re going to be stuck with ourselves for quite some time.
If you enjoyed this article from Lauren, please reach out to her at Lauren@JonesReatltySocCal.com or visit us online at Jonesrealtysocal.com for more information.
Here are some great ideas to do with kids while you are stuck at home:
PARK VIRTUAL TOURS
https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm
SAN DIEGO ZOO
https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/videos
VIRTUAL RIDES
MURRIETA VIRTUAL LIBRARY
Enjoy virtual storytime, kids’ yoga, sing-a-longs, and more!
https://www.murrietaca.gov/971/Virtual-Library
CODER DOJO
This online community offers free programming and coding clubs with all types of projects for kids of all ages.
SAWYER STREAMING CLASSES
This online resource compiles a long list of free and low-cost virtual classes and activities to keep kids busy and stimulate their minds.
PBS KIDS
This public broadcasting television channel moves its learning activities online for kids to enjoy through desktop and mobile devices.
SMITHSONIAN
The Smithsonian offers interesting programs and content for both kids and teens.
SCHOLASTIC PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
Scholastic has come to the rescue with a wide range of printable activities and color sheets to keep kids busy or to use as rewards when online school is finished for the day.
CITY OF TEMECULA RECREATIONAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
The City of Temecula offers a wide range of enrichment, educational, and recreational activities for parents who have children and teens with special needs.
https://temeculaca.gov/1389/Virtual-Educational-Recreational-and-Enr
SCAVENGER HUNT
Do a scavenger hunt inside the house with your kids and have them find something that starts with each letter in the alphabet. A – Apple, B – Bottle, etc. When they are done, they can do a “show and tell” with the family.
Free Online Education Programs for Kids:
www.ABCmouse.com/Redeem for Early Learning Academy (Preschool-2nd Grade)
Once at the website, use code AOFLUNICEF
www.ReadingIQ.com/Redeem for Reading IQ (Preschool-6th Grade)
Once at the website, use code AOFLUNICEF
www.AdventureAcademy.com/Redeem for Adventure Academy (3rd-8th Grade)
Once at the website, use code AOFLUNICEF
Math Resources:
Prodigy: www.play.prodigygame.com
Kahn Academy: www.khanacademy.org
Reading Resources:
Squiggle Park: www.squigglepark.com
Storyline: www.storyline.net/
Science Resources:
Mystery Doug: www.mysterydoug.com
National Geographic: www.kids.nationalgeographic.com
Writing:
Typing Club: www.typingclub.com
Social Studies:
History for Kids: www.historyforkids.net
Virtual Field Trips:
https://www.tripsavvy.com/virtual-field-trips-for-kids-3129414
To do our part in helping you maintain social distancing,
we offer many services via video conferencing as an alternate to in person meetings:
