Let’s share ideas on how to keep the kids and parents sane and healthy.
I hate to start with a video game, but I have learned that Nintendo Switch Jackbox game (which is very fun in groups, and is social/trivia/etc) is possible to be played remotely via streaming.
Playing MahJongg
Online museum tours
Bedroom rearranging and probably painting
Painting (as art, not the bedrooms)
Cleaning out old games/kids stuff
Bike rides with friends
Board games and Dungeons and Dragons
Kids made a music video together
Having the college kids help do their taxes
Once my kids are all on online learning and not on break, I would like to make them a schedule of sorts so that it is not video games/phones/snacking/staying up late all of the time. And include daily goals such as reading, exercise, and one help-the-family project
So far we have been unsuccessful finding any volunteer opportunities besides making play boxes for cats at a shelter
College kid and I are organizing and rearranging her room today! We might look for volunteer opps, we have discussed it but aren’t sure yet. It’s a balance, helping others yet taking ourselves out of the home does increase our risk (although none of us are at high risk should we get the virus…but really so much we don’t know yet).
S21 is unapproachable, and not open to suggestions or even human interaction right now. Will likely game everyday after homework is done. First day home yesterday didn’t eat or drink anything until dinner time.
Suggest the kids make the schedule, not the parents. At least in my family that’s more likely to be successful. I just had a conversation with my two boys about what time they think it’s reasonable to wake up (they are still on spring break). And now they are responsible for getting up at the times they picked.
I know shelters are asking for foster families as they expect an influx of animals, if that volunteer activity fits with anyone’s family.
Our hs junior is doing math for fun, trying to learn Italian from Duolingo, avoiding homework at all costs (that is usual) and spending every other minute playing Minecraft with his school friends online. Oh, and the beach once in a while (we are in Florida).
Not terribly productive overall, but we haven’t noticed any concern about not being in school anymore. I expect this schedule will continue until summer math camps (assuming they are still on); I just don’t see school really starting up in any serious way again before next fall.
My D20’s school was online and has remained unchanged. Her dance studio has closed, but they are having daily technique classes over Skype, so in a way, her schedule is largely unchanged. D19’s college has gone remote, but her classes are at the same times as they always were, and she’s been working with her physical therapist virtually and working out on her own every day as well. Hubby has to go to work everyday still. It’s almost kind of like normal life around here for now.
Our two are a bit older—30/32. They’ve decided it’s time to clean and organize, so they have been. S has taken out all linens out of all our closets and cupboards and helped us sort through all of them. We have winnowed them down a lot with the help of the kids. H has been scrubbing the mildew from the cupboards and shelves before we return everything back to their places.
The kids have also convinced me to rent a storage unit for my materials for my nonprofit to get them out of the house. They will help me move everything.
S also borrowed a bunch of cookbooks (but of course, folks can search online for recipes). He and D are helping us figure out what we might wish to perpare and what they’d like to help us cook.
Both are happy with keeping in touch with online friends via text and sometimes other means as well (D has her online Dungeons and Dragons folks that she communicates with and games with–I believe they are all over the world). Neither had intended to spend as much time with us as they are, but now that each has their own bedroom back (and mom is staying at my sister’s instead of having S’s room and S living in the computer room), things are like an extended holiday together and we are all enjoying each other’s company.
At some point, I’m planning on having us try out some of our board games (the kids have quite a few) and perhaps card games, scrabble and Mah Jong. So far, we’ve been busy with organizing and cleaning, which I’m certainly happy they’re willing to take the lead on.
S is also busy battling in Pokemon Go, which we’ve all been playing for a few years. He battles for each of us.
My college kid will be back in “classes” on Monday, but some of the things he did:
Keep in mind we moved here this summer, so my S doesn’t know a soul.
ALOT of reading! He had some class reading to do, and then he did alot of reading for himself. Before ‘stuff’ hit the fan, I took him to all the local independent bookstores. He put a major dent in his xmas giftcards as well as my wallet!
Checked what classes will be offered next semester and if there were any applications he needed to start working on. He has an app and 3 pg submission for his 300-level CW class for next year… that’s due next week!!
Did a little research on where he wants to live next year. Room assignments should be coming pretty soon, so he needs to know his dorm “rankings”.
Keeping up w/ friends and planning a summer trip w/ them. Most kids have already lost their summer jobs/internships/research, so they are hoping to take a trip together. We parents are cool with this as long as they all understand (1) don’t put any money down yet and (2) it may not be feasible until we know more about how long this virus lasts. But the texts back and forth are flying, so it’s keeping them connected and giving them something to look forward to.
MLB The Show 2020 came out this past Tues. S’s PS4 is still at school but Dh’s is in the living room. I had a disc delivered and S sat in the LR for a full day slack jawed and eyes bloodshot. He will have to start over on his PS4 (which is why I got the disc instead of just downloading it), but for a few days’ respite he didn’t really care!!
Netflix and Disney+ have been used alot as well. He was having near nightly movie nights w/ his little brother. Little S was in baby brother heaven!! LOL
High school kids have been used to being away from home for 7+ hours daily and in control of their day - don’t take that away from them by trying to “schedule” life.
It’s a stressful time for ALL ages. Very young children know about Corona and that it is disrupting lives. More important - or just as important - as learning kids need to have release and comfort.
If you are doing more of anything, have that anything be quality time together. Take turns choosing activities that the whole group can do at home - like take turns choosing a board or card game to play.
My son is still 7 states away in his off campus apartment. He’s working remotely and his official online classes begin next week. He’s staying at school for two reasons. Most importantly, he’s in a more rural area with only 1 reported case of Covid-19 in the county while we’re at home in one of the states with the most cases, and they’re obviously growing. Reason number two…he works on the Volunteer Rescue Squad…so he’ll be driving an ambulance and working potentially lengthy shifts since most students are home now that the university is closed.