8 Ways We're Getting Through Coronavirus

I'm sure that this is a common post going out on the internet this week with schools closing rapidly across the nation as we try to contain the coronavirus from spreading. My kids are home through the end of March followed by Kinsley's week long spring break the first week of April, and Kyle's spring break the second week of April. I'm trying to be as positive as possible, but Kinsley has been out of school due to her own illness since the last week of February, so when all is said and done, she'll have missed five weeks straight of school. I'll also have had kids home from school for six weeks total by the time Kyle's spring break is over.

All that being said, I think we might be fearful of going a little stir crazy. Today I want to share some tips and things that we're implementing into our own home to keep things moving in a positive direction over the next month. 

Dollar Tree Craft Supplies:

One thing I did a few weeks ago was raid the craft section of Dollar Tree and make a little craft station for our kids. I used some mason jars, and the box the mason jars came in to organize all the things we had on hand, and then sorted some small pieces into six different jars. All together we have:

• Construction paper
• Paint
• Glue
• Paint Brushes
• Google Eyes
• Pom Poms
• Stickers
• Popsicle Sticks
• Pipe Cleaners
• Beads
• String
• Glitter Glue

I feel like this is a wide variety of items that really lets our kids do whatever they want. Painting, creating, making, they have free will and free range to do it all! When Kinsley starts getting grumpy my go-to is to pull this box out of the cabinet and it turns things around in seconds. 

Learning Workbooks:

Kyle's school sent home all his text books, and a major game plan for how education should pan out over the next few weeks. That being said, we don't have much of a plan for Kinsley (yet). I've been a huge fan of these School Zone Workbooks for ages and they have books for children 3-8 years. If you don't have specific things to work on from your schools, this could be a good starting place to get something done.

That being said, I'm only doing the learning thing because we've been told to do it. If it doesn't work for you, don't feel pressured. We're not making a full blown homeschool curriculum. I'm literally planning on just getting Kyle's work done with him while Kinsley is on the iPad, and then switching and doing Kinsley's flash cards and daily PT stuff with her while Kyle is on the iPad, and then not thinking about school again until the next day. 

Free Coloring Worksheets:

The internet is full of free coloring printables. I love these St Patrick's Day ones that Angela from About A Mom recently made, but you can find other ones for any holiday, character, or occasion you could ever need. 

Come Follow Me FHE:

Angie from Come Follow Me FHE is an amazing resource for LDS Families. She makes weekly lesson plans based off of the church's Come Follow Me lesson plans and gears them towards children. With church being canceled, this is more valuable than ever. She also has a coloring page subscription that you can add to your account where she comes out with new coloring printables each month!

Right now she's offering a 30 day free subscription to her lessons, and sharing time resources as well. Click here for more details.

Board Games:

This is a great way to kill time, and spend time together as a family. I wrote this post a few years ago about our favorite board games for younger kids, this review for Pegs in the Park, and my friend Janssen has this post about board games here.   

Bake with your Kids:

Baking a treat in the kitchen with your kids is one of the best, and tastiest ways I can think of to spend time with your children during the coronavirus. Some of my favorite recipes to make with kids are my sour cream banana bread recipe, these chocolate chip cookies, and this maple frosted applesauce cake. 

Get Dressed Everyday:

I know it can be super tempting to stay in your sweats or PJs all day long when there is downtime like this, but you're going to feel a lot better if you take the time to get dressed and get ready for the day. I really feel like there is power in the, "look good, feel good", mentality.

I also plan on making my kids get dressed, and do their normal school morning routines. Hair, brushing teeth, leg braces for Kinsley, the whole nine yards. Mostly because I don't want to get out of the habit of doing these things, but also so that they're ready when we decide to go outside later in the day.

Get OUTSIDE:

I think a lot of people have this idea that we need to be in our houses hid up from the world for the next 2-3 weeks. Yes, we should not go to school, and avoid social gatherings, but that doesn't mean we can't go outside for a walk, or take our kids to the park. I believe in fresh air and vitamin D, and I'm making that a priority for my entire family each day.

What are you prioritizing these next few weeks? I really want to make this time special for our kids and not feel so pressured to be on a tight schedule! How about you? 


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