Our new reality is starting to settle in: They just closed schools here in Bethesda, Maryland for two weeks, and cancelled all events in the state with more than 250 people. We’re encouraged to practice social distancing (here’s a great article that explains that), and it looks like we’re all going to be spending a lot of time at home with our families.
The good news is that it gives us a lot of time to perhaps tackle some home projects that you’ve been neglecting. Neatnik will be rolling out organizing and spring cleaning projects that you can be working on at home over this period of time. Stay tuned to this blog and our social media for that.
The not-so-good news is that many of us are facing a long period of unstructured time at home with our children without having had much time to plan for it. And for parents and children, anxiety about this pandemic is very understandable. So, what can we do?
In this uneasy and unpredictable time, I find focusing on what we can control helps us and our children. Things like our to-do lists and daily schedules at home are things we have control over. So I’m getting my family – my children especially – focused on thinking about their days and things they want to do each day. This can be a great way to mitigate our anxieties, fears, and feelings of a lack of control over the general situation.
Here are a few things I’ve picked up to try to manage this unexpected time at home with my children:
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Mini White Boards
I think having a little contained space for your child or family to help schedule or manage their days can be really helpful. These can be used for a daily schedule, a to-do list, or a list of things they want to do. Having no structure to your or their days can be unsettling.
U Brands Contempo Magnetic Dry Erase Board, 11 x 14 Inches, White Frame
14×14 White Dry Erase Board
U Brands Square Frameless Magnetic Dry Erase Calendar, 14 x 14 Inches, White
Dry Erase Markers
I like these because they have magnets in the caps that will stick to the white boards or the metal part of a clip board.
Linkbro Magnetic Dry Erase Markers – Fine Tip, Assorted Colors, 8 Pack, Low Odor Whiteboard markers for kids, Work On White board & Calendar, Refrigerator
Dry Erase Markers – Magnetic Whiteboard Markers with Cap Mounted Eraser – Markers For Dry Erase Board – Fine Tip Marker For Whiteboard Low Odor (5)
Clip Boards
You might also like to develop lists of things and place them on a special clip board for each child.
Poppin Clipboard, Aqua (Neatnik color!)
Clipboard Dry Erase Surface Low Profile Clip Whiteboard
Let me know if you try these ideas and how they work for you. Let’s support each other with ways we can all organize and manage our time in the near future. Hang in there!
My son with his new white board!