Things sure did escalate over the weekend, huh? I am not sure what to think about everything. Schools here in Alabama are closed now through April 6th, though I wonder if it will get extended longer. The grocery stores here look like they do everywhere, completely ransacked with slim pickings. Every time I turn on the TV or open up a social media app on my phone, it is filled with panic and fear. Then, to add insult to injury, there was an armed robbery last night in my town at an Arby’s in front of the Target that I always frequent. What is wrong with people???????
I know that I am very lucky to be able to work from home when needed. If this was a year ago, I don’t know what I would have done. I had a job that was incredibly inflexible. I would have had to quit, there is no way I could stay home for several weeks. I feel for you parents out there who are in that situation. Not everyone has family or friends close by to help out. I am very thankful for my situation, and a boss who is understanding.
I am looking at the next few weeks as an opportunity, and you should too. It is an opportunity to spend some time with your family. There are a lot of memes going around out there with pictures of divorce lawyers waiting for all of us to be quarantined with our spouses. And even I have joked around about the amount of wine needed to be stocked to spend three weeks at home with a toddler. But lets look at this as a gift instead of a burden.
I plan to keep a routine the best I can. Instead of waking up at 4:00am, I am waking up at 5:00am. (I don’t need to account for makeup, hair, work clothes or commute.) I am working out first thing, like I always do. Then I grab a cup of coffee and go upstairs to my home office to work and knock out as much as I can until Zoe wakes up.
I will keep her on a routine to the best of my abilities. She will wake up, get dressed, have breakfast, and we will start with a lesson. I have alphabet and number books and flashcards for her. I have a book where you can trace letters and erase them. We have a few workbooks identifying different words and letters. We probably have around 100 actual story books to read. And crafts. All the crafts! I am so thankful I picked up a few things recently on clearance at different stores. I have scoured Pinterest over the weekend with ideas of things to make with the items we have on hand.
I also plan to get in some movement each day with her. (Need to get out that energy!!!!) Most days it calls for rain in the foreseeable future, so I plan to play on our covered deck. We also have several versions of Just Dance that would be so fun. Her dance teachers are posting their recital routines online for us to work on at home, since the dance studio is closing with the schools. We have this bounce house (similar) set up in my office for some fun time as well. And just going for walks or bike rides around our neighborhood when we can.
I am also looking forward to keeping the house clean, organizing some areas that get neglected, and maybe even paint a little more. We have a few things that need to be put together, now is the perfect time to knock out some home projects!
You know that face and hair mask you keep meaning to use up? Do it! You can put that foot mask on while you knock out some work at your desk. There is zero excuse for me not to get in at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. You can start dinner earlier and catch up on all your shows. Introverts, this is our time to shine! We have been training all our lives to avoid people!
There are a lot of people out there who think that everyone is overreacting. Educate yourself. Do some research. Sometimes it isn’t just about you. Sure, maybe you get COVID-19 and are just fine. But you can infect others, others who can’t handle the virus. And then you put a strain on healthcare. There are enough people who visit the hospital every day for a variety of reasons, to the point many operate near capacity at all times. This just adds to that. This is the goal and the reason for quarantine….
Stop crowding the bars, restaurants and other places that are open. If you want to support a local business, order your items to go or buy a gift card to use later. There are plenty of workouts you can do at home, you don’t need the gym.
I am going to be over here enjoying moments like this, and praying for our country and our leaders…
And maybe also laughing at things like this….
8 Comments
I need to keep my routine similar to yours. I’ve been happy to not wake up at 4:00 so instead I’ve been getting up at like 7:00. Great tips! I think it’s important to breathe and take care of ourselves during this stressful time.
That’s the whole thing – taking the focus off our self centered selves & worrying about others. We have one man in our town that was tested positive & REFUSED to be self quarantined!!! They literally had to put police around his home. They’re making it a big deal & gearing up for a “freedom” lawsuit. PEOPLE ARE IDIOTS!!!!
I wish we could stay home. Both Ricky & I have to keep working. Glad we dont have little ones to worry about – but its still scary to think what we’re near every day.
Glad you have that new beautiful home to get holed up in 🙂
That’s so true! We have to look at the bright side – quality time (that will result in us maybe pulling our hair out at some points lol) but it is what it is and we will get through it! I’m also grateful that our offices have closed and they have decided that we will all be working from home until it’s safe. I hope it’s quick for us all! xo, Biana-BlovedBoston
Beautifully said, bestie. 🙂 Trying to look on the positive side – all that quality time with our littles and our spouses. I, for one, am glad for the extra time that I’ll get to read, catch up on scrapbooking and do some organization.
I love all of these memes. They are too funny and help in this situation. I am glad you get to work from home. I am at work today, but we are waiting to hear what the plan of action is for the next several weeks. I love that you get all this quality time together. I need some home workouts so if you have any, please share!
I think this will teach all of us to be less self-centered? Question mark there because who actually knows.
I DO think it will give the world a greater appreciation for SAH-parents LOL. I never had that appreciation until I became one. Working from home while maintaining a schedule is extra difficult, I’m sure, because you had to make that lifestyle switch literally overnight!
Seriously, what is wrong with people! I’m so saddened to hear about that robbery. But SO happy you are in a much better work environment that is flexible. I recall us both being at our wits end after having our girls and working for super old fashioned employers and we are both SO much happier now.
And LOL at the vaccine meme, I will never understand people who choose not to vaccinate their children against diseases. I hate watching Serena get her shots, but know we could be saving her life <3
Pretty much anything that’s not a necessity is closed down where I live. I wish more people would take it seriously. I think I could get it and be fine, but maybe not my mom or sister as they are compromised, so it’s nerve-wracking for sure! Plus, you can have it without symptoms so then you’re going around infecting people thinking everything is okay. I think my biggest thing about not being able to leave the house much is not knowing how long it will last. It definitely makes me anxious, but I’m trying to do things that help with my mental health. I love all those memes you shared – too funny!! There are some great ones out there. 🙂 And I’m so glad that you are able to work from home with this new job – I can work from home too, so I’m lucky for sure.
-Lauren