How We Juggle Our Day

from Amanda | Rochester, NY

During this time at home due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, I have created a schedule to help with everyday life. My husband and I both work full time and we have both had to continue our jobs full time.

Luckily, my job as a medical biller enables me to remotely from home. The challenging part was how do I juggle work along with keeping my kids on a daily schedule. As I started this I have learned quickly what works and whats doesn't. Every night I now make a lesson plan based on the work that their teachers have provided. Weekly assignments are sent out each week for my fourth grader, whereas my first grader receives a day-to-day schedule. 

Every morning we start with breakfast, then begin literacy immediately afterwards.

For my fourth grader we use i-Ready and SpellingCity, or any articles that her teacher assigns. For my first grader we begin with a read aloud book that was assigned. We then move on to math. For my fourth grader this consists of 10 minutes of Moby Max, as well as any other assignments that were assigned. For my first grader we use SplashLearn (formerly SplashMath), or we complete an exercise that involves counting everyday objects found around the home.

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Around 11:00am everyday I have the girls read to our Goldendoodle, Morgan. After that, lunch and then Lunchtime Doodles with Mo Willems. In the afternoon we begin to wind down and outdoor time is encouraged.

My fourth grader was starting Girls on the Run, local teams that meet twice a week with volunteer coaches who inspire girls to be confident through running, but unfortunately it was canceled due to the current pandemic. Thankfully, they have provided a series of virtual videos that offer exercises and games for the young, inspiring runners. We then close with a short run to keep it up, of which I hope gets longer as she progresses in the program. My other daughter will watch a SciFi Kids video on YouTube and then plays outside, or goes on Go Noodle to end her day.

Having a schedule is very important to me and my children. I feel that everyone works better with structure and organization. This way, when kids go back to school in the near future they will continue where they left off... although they will have to change out of pajamas!