Okay Moms. By now, most schools have closed due to the virus. We are looking at days on days at home with the kids. Many places we would normally visit during this time are also closed or are limiting what is available. So now what do we do?? I have some simple ideas of what to do while your kids are at home.
Games, Art Supplies, and Crafts
First, take stock of what all you have in your house. Look in closets and bedrooms and make a list of art supplies, science kits, board games, card games, or craft kits. See what you have hiding that has been ignored during the chaos of the school year. Get out the old game system no one has played with in a long time and dust it off. Having a list of what is already in your house will help you see what items you might want to invest in for the days to come.
Library Resources
While the public library is also closed, there won’t be any checking out of physical books. However, see what online databases your local library has to offer. The Nashville Public Library has so many options you can access from your devices. We will be borrowing books from the Libby app and movies from Hoopla for sure (both from NPL). Most of the online resources just need your library card number. Check out your local library page for so many free resources to keep you busy.
Play Outside
Go outside! We plan to spend as much time outside as we can. We have already spent a lot of time playing soccer, weeding the garden, and taking walks. We are also planning a new garden together and looking for materials to make it come alive. We hope to make it to Cheekwood and the Nashville Zoo next week as long as they continue to be open. Both locations have closed indoor places and programs are cancelled, but they are staying open. However, to be sure call or checkout their Facebook pages to keep up to date on their hours. The Zoo is even discounting the admission price. Hiking and walking are also good. Check out a local park for hiking trails. One of my friends even suggested geocaching or letterboxing, if that is something you enjoy with your children. We may have to finally try that out.
Spring Cleaning
Use this time to do some spring cleaning. This morning I switched out my daughter’s bedding, sorted her closet and drawers with her telling me what she still liked. We put away winter gear and made room for her spring clothing when I get it down from storage. We sorted her desk, bookcase, and her toys. Then we wiped it all down. Her room is calm and clean. She is so happy. I plan to work with my son on his room next week. Use this time to head into your kid’s room and sort it all out together. I took a huge bag of donations to the garage that will be dropped off when things calm down. I have also made a list of other rooms and areas of the house I would like to sort through while home as well.
Online Resources
I have also been keeping a list of online resources that are being shared on Facebook. Here are a few I am looking forward to for next week:
Museums with virtual tours you can enjoy
McHarper Manor on Facebook is offering free art lessons for families next week. They have a supply list and they will be going live daily. If you cannot watch during the live session they will be available on Facebook to do later on. I cannot wait to do this with my kids during the school closing time.
Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions due to School Closings
I will be using a simple white board to let my kids know what I have on my mind for us to do each day. It helps them not ask all day what are we are going to do. I write chores and activities on it. We can then mark them off and it helps keep us from wasting all day on electronics. We will be spending parts of each day reading, resting, being creative, cleaning, and being outside. Yes, we will sleep in, wear our pjs too long each day, and more TV will be watched than normal, but that is not all we will do.
Hang on, Moms! This may be a bumpy ride with the kids at home for weeks. But try to look for the good in the craziness. Think of this as a time to make memories and be together. Write a journal of this adventure to share with your kids years from now. Be safe, stay healthy, and stick together. We will make it through this and be stronger for it.
