Okay Work-From-Parents (aka right now, Everyone),

Let’s do this.

Our family started to self quarantine about this time last week because both my daughter and I had non-Covid19 illnesses, so friends, I come to you from the future. This is not easy. This is not normal.

This is also well within your super powers.

Working from home is tough enough. You have new challenges you’ve had to add to your plate in managing your workload, managing your mental state in isolation, and your oddly comfortable acceptance that putting on real pants just isn’t a part of your day anymore.*

One of the things I’ve realized, is that my child does not see me as an authority figure when it comes to education. Sure, Mommy can teach her a thing or two throughout the day when a question arises, but try and work through the complications of drawing the letter “S” and everyone loses their minds. Where she may have respected a daycare teacher to help her through a learning curve, as her parents we are not given the same clearance. When it’s her mother or father, she rejects it as if we are being conditional with our affection. (We aren’t). What we think is encouraging is seen as “mean,” and as my three year old put it so succinctly, “Mommy, you are not my best friend anymore.”

Listen, teachers should straight up get basketball money for what they do for our kids each day. You may not have known to the extent of which you should be thankful until now, but hey, we’re here.

I’ve grabbed a collection of resources here that have been passed on to me via friends who are educators and other parents who find themselves in this desperate situation to add structure to their child’s day while away from school. Most of these will have differing age ranges to which they cater and I hope you find something for you. For our pre-schooler, we are doing twenty minutes mid morning and twenty minutes after “quiet time.” Which by the way, good friggin’ luck with quiet time, my kid hasn’t slept in YEARS.

Truly parents, you’ve got this. Please share and email abby@wxdx.com with any additional links and resources you find helpful for others.

First up, my favorite so far: ABC Mouse. These are interactive games that are good for various ages and grades. There's currently a thirty day trial in which you can see if you like the product but you can also subscribe monthly or pay what I believe ends up being about $45 for a year. (Please check me on this). Your kids can also make their own avatar, choose a classroom pet, and even choose their teacher. It's cute. You can do activities on an iPad (mine was glitchy) or using a mouse and laptop/desktop computer.

About Abby

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