A day in a life, during a pandemic isolation...

As the world is literally in complete uncertainty - and we all aren't entirely sure how our days ahead will unfold - for us, it's been truly wonderful to just pull inward and slow down.

It turns out, I'm perfectly happy and content just being home with my children - it brings me back to when they were little and the days belonged to us, not society time constraints...

The first few days, I obsessed over the news. Every time I put my phone down, I immediately picked it right back up to analyze all the new information being pushed. My little small tube TV that sits on my kitchen counter, had the news playing constant. Heck, those first few days, everything was changing so rapidly, I really felt like I was missing something, if I wasn't glued to it.

But, after our schools closed, I felt a sigh of relief. I really felt like I could finally relax, as I think most of my anxiety was stemming from my child being away from me, during these uncertain times.

For us, it wasn't hard to get into a groove. My daughter is already homeschooled, so it's business as usual for her. And, I know I rant a lot on my social media Instagram page about our school system, but they deserve an A+ for canceling school for 2 weeks, without sending work materials home - I really feel like everyone needed time to process what is going on with our current new normal, without having to do school work on top of it all.

We're homebodies in general. But, like everyone else, we have lives outside of the home. My daughter and son's evenings are usually filled with extracurricular activities and events. So, even though we enjoy being home, it's a difficult time for them to adjust not having their normal, with their friends.

So, instead of packing our days with colorful charts that schedule everything down to the minute, we are just living. Furthermore, I am taking this time to let them do whatever they want to fill their days, as I am doing the same... However, their days look so much more productive than mine - I am shoving my face with junk food and watching Hotel Impossible.

Currently, my daughter does her school on the computer, whenever she feels like it. She doesn't have a time frame, just as long as she stays up with her lessons. And, I do some reading activities with my son, only because he has struggled with reading and has surpassed the district's goals for this year - and I don't want him to lose that progress.

But, the rest of our day consists of free play. Absolutely any kind of free play... I'm looking at it as our Spring Break... 

-Playing Fortnite. Even my husband has joined in, too.
-Online Roblox playing with their friends, who they cannot be face to face with.
-Video chatting with friends.
-Making silly Tik Toks.
-Texting with friends.
-Sending cute videos and photos to friends.
-Outdoor adventures.
-Hiking in our back woods.
-Trampoline jumping.
-Swingset playing.
-Dance parties.
-Watching movies.
-Doing parkour in our home.
-Using our gymnastic equipment.
-Practicing Karate.
-Board games.
-Playing family charades.
-Creating art.
-Building the best Lego land in the home.
-Vegging out, while watching YouTube.

*There are so many more details, but this is just to name a few... As you can see, there aren't any micromanaged topics - And in reality, our days prior to the pandemic, don't look too much different -as I'm not much of a schedule type person. I believe in children controlling their lives and learning how to balance their items/responsibilities throughout the day.

And today, our district already sent a message that there will be some kind of school materials worked out within the next week. So, at that time, we'll resume some what of a normal routine - well, as normal as we can be, in self-isolation.

But, free play will still be the center point of our days...

Here are some photos of what our days have looked like.

You can see daily photos and stories on my Instagram page - Click Here.

...As a parting message, just know that our children are watching us -They're watching our reactions and our behaviors. So keep smiling and use this new found free time to be engaged with them. Basically, be the fun parent. Let them stay up late, talk to them often, answer their questions, and just laugh... And know, you're doing great, as there isn't a parenting protocol for this type of situation. 

The world is all in this together. And for the first time, we are all truly stopping and smelling the roses.

*And remember, practice being distant socially, instead of socially distant -- stay in touch with friends and family and let your children stay in touch with their friends (whether it's through a phone, video, texting, or video games -they need it, too)... 
And, check on your neighbors.
Be kind.
And, stop hoarding toilet paper... <3