@@ 3/26 Quarantine Chat

[Bernadine]

I really miss my nieces. We had a nanny share with my sisters, and I’m used to seeing my nieces and sisters several times a week. I miss all of them.

Also, my parents had been living with me since last summer. They finally settled on a house and moved out two weeks ago. I really miss them too.

Boo.

[bears]

Many of the graduate medical professional students where my husband works are offering to provide childcare, supportive medical care, grocery shopping, pet care, etc. for medical providers (both paid and volunteer).

My husband is not on the front lines right now and his clinics have been reduced as they move to telemedicine. This has been so helpful right now, with the kids out of school. However, that can change and it's good that there may be the option of additional help.

[hulley]

I miss work. I miss my students and the other faculty. I also miss being paid, but fortunately H is still able to WFH.

I’ve been having stress/anxiety related dreams and that’s resulted in waking up with a chewed up cheek every morning. Yay, anxiety!

[Wallflower]

My 87-year-old mother lives about 5 miles away, as does my brother/SIL. We've been trying to get across to her how serious this all is. Here's how success we're being - she told me last night that she was thinking that if I get sick, I should come to her house and she can keep an eye on me.

Sigh.

[litebright]

We have been getting a daily "morning news" video sent from DD2's principal, and parents can send her pics of their kids doing and they go into the next edition. A ton of kids are participating and it's really nice for DD2 to catch a glimpse of a friend.

DD1 had two lengthy video chats with friends yesterday and has two more set up for today, so I feel better about where we are on social interaction for her. And it's actually sunny today and going to be warmer, which is helping my mental state because so much of this week has been rainy, chilly or both. At least today the kids can get outside and play.

[breezy8407]

My kids have a teacher car parade today. I hope it lifts their spirits a bit. DD had a breakdown at dinner last night when we told her we won't be able to go to my 3 year old nieces birthday party.

[sugarbear]

The tech lesson that my 3rd grader got today (usually his class would be in the maker space on Thursdays) was food related: like, pasta sculptures, raisins in bubbly soda, bridges from spaghetti, shapes made out of grapes... I’m thinking this is a little tone deaf and I'm debating emailing the teacher, who is also a colleague.

[simpsongal]

I’ve had some allergy symptoms but woke to more of a cough and lethargy. My in laws were going to take the kids tomorrow but we cancelled just in case. We’re exhausted. I took a half day to watch the kids while dh works. So watching my 3 and 6 yr olds and my break later is a few hours of work. ETA never mind I took sick leave and dh told me to rest.

[CloudBee]

Yesterday was ROUGH for DS. It was cold, rainy off and on, our backyard was muddy, and we couldn't go out front most of the day because there was a work crew on our front lawn and driveway digging up our internet lines. Right. Our cable and internet were out for most of the day, too.

He's homeschooled normally, but we just couldn't focus yesterday. Lots of tears.

I'm getting over pneumonia, and I think yesterday it all just hit us. How hard it's been. We're on day 18 fo isolation.

Today, however, it's sunny and we're all in better moods. <3

[shauni27]

Mar 26, 2020 7:35:03 GMT -5 Wallflower said:

My 87-year-old mother lives about 5 miles away, as does my brother/SIL. We've been trying to get across to her how serious this all is. Here's how success we're being - she told me last night that she was thinking that if I get sick, I should come to her house and she can keep an eye on me.

Sigh.

Similar situation going on here. My parents are in their 70s and have every "high risk" factor for COVID. They talk about how this is such a big deal...and then continuously go out to the store. Because when I did their shopping for them I did not get "hot dog buns that we like."

SO OBTUSE.

[ohgillian]

My kids seem fine but I'm having a hard time focusing on work. It doesn't help that part of my work is now COVID-related and part isn't -- because the part that isn't, I can't focus on at all. That part just seems so meaningless! Like, who cares if we push new charts out to the website??

[mrssandro]

First Thursday of virtual teachings and I can tell DD is really missing GT. GT was her favorite class and elective and it was a privilege she looked forward to. So today we are focusing on building things with our hands and crafts. Very little online learning happening today.

[Velar Fricative]

We’ve gotten into a good groove. DD1 usually wraps up her e-learning by noon after starting at 8:15 each morning (and that includes a lengthy morning break with snack so I can do my work). Despite DH e-teaching, how he needs to teach his subject allows for him to help DD1 too so we are splitting duties with her. As for DD2, her behavior has improved with less screen time (but still more than usual) and DH and I take turns with breaks to play with her while DD1 can handle her assignments. She’s napping inconsistently but when she does nap it is very helpful.

I have to do most of my busy work and conference calls in the afternoon as a result but I don’t mind. I mean, I never want this to ever be a new normal beyond a few months but for now, we are still doing the best we can.

[mbcdefg]

The family from the 2017 BBC interview (where the two kids burst into the dad’s study during a videoconference and the mom ran into to get them) is back. The baby boy got so big and the older girl is still a riot <3

[taratru]

My youngest had her first meltdown today. *sigh* She is so social. This is going to be hard on her. I hope next week when her teacher starts doing more videos and actual instruction she will be better.

[InBetweenDays]

People on our neighborhood facebook page are arguing over whether it's safe for kids to blow bubbles on the sidewalk. One side says it's safe because the soap in the bubbles will for sure kill the coronavirus. The other side says the bubbles are "virus bombs" (their exact words) waiting to explode in someone's face.

[cville]

I let my daughter use my fancy note cards that I bought at my favorite stationery store to write a letter to her teacher. I gave her plain notepaper to practice on. While I was on the phone, she made a mistake on 3 separate cards and went into the drawer to get more.

Like, this is so minor and silly and inane in the scheme of life, but I'm having an outsized reaction of NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

[pugz]

Mar 26, 2020 13:19:47 GMT -5 InBetweenDays said:

People on our neighborhood facebook page are arguing over whether it's safe for kids to blow bubbles on the sidewalk. One side says it's safe because the soap in the bubbles will for sure kill the coronavirus. The other side says the bubbles are "virus bombs" (their exact words) waiting to explode in someone's face.

I....have heard it all now.  

[dottyblue]

Mo Willems is my HERO. OMG, he is a life saver.

He is doing "lunch doodles" every day on youtube. My 7 year old adores it:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmzjCPQv3y8

My 4 year old is a little frustrated he can't keep up with the sketching, but he loves it if someone can help him out.

[TR]

Mar 26, 2020 13:26:35 GMT -5 cville said:

I let my daughter use my fancy note cards that I bought at my favorite stationery store to write a letter to her teacher. I gave her plain notepaper to practice on. While I was on the phone, she made a mistake on 3 separate cards and went into the drawer to get more.

Like, this is so minor and silly and inane in the scheme of life, but I'm having an outsized reaction of NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Not kid related, but yesterday, H used my blackberry jam that I use on my breakfast waffles to make himself TWO pbj sandwiches for lunch and I almost had a shit fit. Just in my head, I didn't say anything out loud. But come on man. Anyway, just saying I feel you.

[sugarbear]

Mar 26, 2020 15:17:20 GMT -5 dottyblue said:

Mo Willems is my HERO. OMG, he is a life saver.

He is doing "lunch doodles" every day on youtube. My 7 year old adores it:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmzjCPQv3y8

My 4 year old is a little frustrated he can't keep up with the sketching, but he loves it if someone can help him out.

We have been doing these almost daily. We also like the online lessons from McHarper Manor, which are slightly more involved (but not too much for a 7 year old).

[shauni27]

Mar 26, 2020 13:00:07 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

The family from the 2017 BBC interview (where the two kids burst into the dad’s study during a videoconference and the mom ran into to get them) is back. The baby boy got so big and the older girl is still a riot <3

I thought of this video today while my husband took a video conference call and I was trying to get my 2 year old to calm down behind him, lol

[1confused1]

Mar 26, 2020 8:28:07 GMT -5 breezy8407 said:

My kids have a teacher car parade today. I hope it lifts their spirits a bit. DD had a breakdown at dinner last night when we told her we won't be able to go to my 3 year old nieces birthday party.

Our elementary school did this today too and my daughter loved it. It's the happiest I've seen her today.

A local news channel did a live Facebook post via helicopter and the comments were awful. Yes, we are sheltering in place, but we are allowed to go outside. All the teachers remained in their own individual cars and all the "spectators" maintained social distancing.

[1confused1]

Mar 26, 2020 10:53:42 GMT -5 sugarbear said:

The tech lesson that my 3rd grader got today (usually his class would be in the maker space on Thursdays) was food related: like, pasta sculptures, raisins in bubbly soda, bridges from spaghetti, shapes made out of grapes... I’m thinking this is a little tone deaf and I'm debating emailing the teacher, who is also a colleague.

My daughter's science teacher did a follow along experiment with eggs. I told my daughter she couldn't participate, eggs are like gold these days.

[pugz]

Mar 26, 2020 16:14:54 GMT -5 1confused1 said:

Mar 26, 2020 8:28:07 GMT -5 breezy8407 said:

My kids have a teacher car parade today. I hope it lifts their spirits a bit. DD had a breakdown at dinner last night when we told her we won't be able to go to my 3 year old nieces birthday party.

Our elementary school did this today too and my daughter loved it. It's the happiest I've seen her today.

A local news channel did a live Facebook post via helicopter and the comments were awful. Yes, we are sheltering in place, but we are allowed to go outside. All the teachers remained in their own individual cars and all the "spectators" maintained social distancing.

Our school district shut the parades down because it wasn’t “modeling the seriousness of the situation.” Fuck them. Many of the surrounding districts still had them and it was FINE

[breezy8407]

1confused1, pugz I thought it was nice. We stayed in our driveway and waved. The kids were thrilled to see their teachers and principal. My kids are taking this as serious as 7 year olds can. They made nice messages on our driveway in chalk.

[atexan]

My kids were RAGING ASSHOLES today. I'm really trying to be patient because I know this is so hard for them and they can't express it but AAAAAAAGH.

[suburbanzookeeper]

Our district shut down our parade and our admins pointed out that the easiest way for us to see them - with social distancing - is to come by for daily lunch pick-up which is free for everyone regardless of income. I initially felt kind squiggly about it but our admin essentially begged us to swing by regularly and the kids are enjoying the opportunity to ride in the car around the neighborhood. They also provide breakfast for the next morning. We skipped two days and when we came by today our VP was very exuberant from her space that she was worried about us because we didn't come and was going to call (I'm our PTA president for next year and she knows what DH does).

[pugz]

Mar 26, 2020 21:25:51 GMT -5 suburbanzookeeper said:

Our district shut down our parade and our admins pointed out that the easiest way for us to see them - with social distancing - is to come by for daily lunch pick-up which is free for everyone regardless of income. I initially felt kind squiggly about it but our admin essentially begged us to swing by regularly and the kids are enjoying the opportunity to ride in the car around the neighborhood. They also provide breakfast for the next morning. We skipped two days and when we came by today our VP was very exuberant from her space that she was worried about us because we didn't come and was going to call (I'm our PTA president for next year and she knows what DH does).

oh man throwdown happening in a PTO group tonight about the free lunches. People saying that if you have food at home you shouldn't be getting them, even though the district said they are for EVERYONE, even kids not yet in school!  Why do people have to be the worst?

[suburbanzookeeper]

Mar 26, 2020 21:30:56 GMT -5 pugz said:

Mar 26, 2020 21:25:51 GMT -5 suburbanzookeeper said:

Our district shut down our parade and our admins pointed out that the easiest way for us to see them - with social distancing - is to come by for daily lunch pick-up which is free for everyone regardless of income. I initially felt kind squiggly about it but our admin essentially begged us to swing by regularly and the kids are enjoying the opportunity to ride in the car around the neighborhood. They also provide breakfast for the next morning. We skipped two days and when we came by today our VP was very exuberant from her space that she was worried about us because we didn't come and was going to call (I'm our PTA president for next year and she knows what DH does).

oh man throwdown happening in a PTO group tonight about the free lunches. People saying that if you have food at home you shouldn't be getting them, even though the district said they are for EVERYONE, even kids not yet in school!  Why do people have to be the worst?

Our admin essentially framed it as "you have an opportunity to NOT make or worry about at least one+ meal per day for your children 18 & under, COME AND GET IT! Please. Come Say Hi. We miss you!" Plus they are prepping based on our census data so they have an overabundance of food that they'd rather not see wasted.  

If anything it's cut our milk consumption down drastically since they get the little cartons with lunch or with their breakfast item which means less store trips for us.