So, the Pandemic

I think this is worth a post.  I'm not going to give anyone medical advice.  I'm not going to lecture.  I'm not going to mention how not having national health care is NOT helping.  Okay, maybe I am.

I'm just going to use this space to talk about we are hoping to manage the next 3 weeks of "social distancing" + no school + work.

First, let me say: we are privileged.  We can both work from home.  We can afford to take time off.  Our kids are old enough to stay at home together.  Our employers aren't going to necessarily immediately run out of money (we aren't in the hospitality business).  This is NOT true of everyone.

So here goes:
1.  Cancel the cleaning service for the 2 weeks we are affected, but pay them anyway.
2.  Set up a daily schedule.  Thus far, the schools have not sent home any work, though they may for the junior high kid.  Much of his work is already assigned and turned in online.
3.  Plan work accordingly.
4.  Plan meals accordingly.
5.  Exercise

The daily schedule - there are many floating around online, with the idea that you want to limit electronics time.  To be honest, when we work from home with kids, they spend nearly 100% of their time on electronics, because then they will LET US WORK.  The point with a schedule is to get the same effect, with less electronics time (max 1 hour at a time).

An example would be:
Breakfast
Electronics
Academics
Exercise
Creativity
Lunch
Academics
Electronics
Play
Exercise
Chores
Dinner
Electronics
Bedtime

The goal would be to have the electronics, exercise, and creativity be MOSTLY parent-free.

Ideas on how to fill these slots:
Academics: reading, learning apps, math pages, science, writing, spelling, educational TV shows, robotics, snap circuits

Exercise: walking, yoga, online exercise videos, Wii fit, Dance party 2020 on the switch, Foosball, Jump rope, 2 square, kickball, walk the dog, "kings game" out back.  No parks, we need to maintain a social distance. 

(I have already stopped going to the gym, there are a lot of old people!  I am working out at home with Beachbody On Demand and going running.)

Creativity: Legos, coloring, drawing, painting, play doh

Fun: cards, games, foozball, bey blades, puzzles, sudoku, word search, board games, lite brite, origami

Chores: laundry, dishes, cleaning, spring cleaning, help with cooking.


This schedule *should* allow us 7 hours a day of solid work, more if we work after dinner.