Question

School is almost done ✅ (yay!? ) it’s a double edged sword here. I’m excited and very worried  I need a plan or we’re going to go nuts with no structure Does anyone have a daily plan? That doesn’t involve 12+ hours of screen time ❤️ And a meal plan? Seriously I’ve spent all day looking on Pinterest and lots of things for “staycations” are closed so my normal go to’s are not options I know we’re all in the same boat so I thought I’d start a thread  

Answer 1

The tv is mom now. I’ve given up.  

Comments

@denadenae6779 I’m pretty much in your boat. By the time we get school done everyone is fried.  

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@denadenae6779 same. Single mom trying to work full time job at home while home schooling Kindergartener and entertaining 3 year old. iPads and tv time all around!  

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@lau89 me too but after Monday’s classes were done and I have a kid who with out structure will feel compelled to have a screaming match with siblings  

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@narcisanarcissism my kids are best friends half the week and about to attack each other the second half. I hear you.  

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@narcisanarcissism we are in the same cruise ship here. They literally just antagonize each other all day.  

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I call it a love/hate relationship. I separate them when things get heated and literally 4 minutes later they’re all playing like nothing happened.  

Answer 2

We are doing Meez Meals. Its a meal prep delivery service except they chop everything and make the sauces for you. I have a 50% code if u wanna try it! ref@iso525

Answer 3

How old are your kids?  

Comments

@titian my oldest is 15 girl 11 boy 10 boy 8 girl 5 girl

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@narcisanarcissism oh wow! I can’t imagine I have much advice to offer since you are a way more experienced parent than I am (I have 2 early elementary kids). I will probably make a loose schedule every day bc my younger one needs it. It will be a relaxed morning 2-3 shows), then getting ready for the day/playing etc. Right now (and it’s working) I have them completing exercise and outside time, chores, and learning before screens again. I plan to take them hiking, spend time with our newbie garden, bike rides, science experiments, reading, homemade obstacle courses, stop motion animation projects, etc. just a few ideas and not everything every day. I have no clue what will interest your older ones but I think these littles are entertained as long as I play with them. It’s just exhausting.  

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@titian wow that sounds amazing!  

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Love these ideas! If you work and need time where they do independent stuff, we’ve had a lot of fun with a slack line! Set it up in your yard somewhere where you can watch them occasionally through the window as you work  Great for all ages. Have them set up obstacles courses in the yard and challenge each other (within age groups).  

Answer 4

We are still doing our morning walk first thing. We’ll do educational stuff from 8:30ish-10. Some outside play if it’s nice. Lunch. Then silent reading and our read aloud. Then crafts, outdoor time, play without electronics til dinner. Then they can have some screen time after they take their showers. We need a schedule and this is loosely how our remote learning schedule has worked and it’s worked well for us, and give me time before our walk, after reading time, and after dinner to hit the computer and get some of my work done.  

Comments

We’ll also continue with our daily chores interspersed throughout the day, so we don’t have everyone overwhelmed with having to do them all at once.  

Answer 5

We just went for a walk and let leaves float race down to the gutter. I’be got nothing right now. If I didn’t have a 3 year old I think I’d be a lot more creative but he’s running circles around us all lol.  

Answer 6

I have a friend that explored a new ‘place’ each day of spring break to keep her kiddies entertained. Hawaii, Paris, Japan, etc. she would try to do some type of meal/snack from the place, do a craft project, listen to music/watch a movie from the place. Thought it was such a clever way to keep everyone engaged.  

Comments

@hadden37231 thats a really good idea. My kids would love it. A lot of work tho  

Answer 7

My kids are older but what first comes to mind is letting them come up with a couple ideas. What do they want to see? Is it a sunrise? Highest point in IL? Lowest point? Maybe a google search for unique things about IL will kick start some ideas. We have three presidents from IL with Lincoln, Reagan in Dixon and Obama in Chicago. It’s hard when you can’t get out and do much but they’re learning and quenching that “I wonder” itch. Ooh another idea. I grew up in the area so I’d show them where I lived, went to school, grandparents’ homes, etc. Good luck  

Answer 8

I know a great meal planning group Melanie's Meal Planning Help that would be a great help for you! As far as a schedule, break the day up into chunks like arts, gross motor (outside or large movement), reading/quiet time, innovation (could have things for them to create like recycling), house responsibilities, game time, etc

Comments

Of course breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning snack, afternoon snack. You could include cooking and life skills as chunks of time.  

Answer 9

My girls are 7 & 10. this will be our 4th summer using “SARC” - on non-camp days, or days w/o an official plan, my girls have to spend at least 1hr on each of the 4 areas before they have free choice time (aka before screen time): Study, Active, Read, Create We make a point to get a physical “study” book each year (but I do allow Khan Academy for math and/or coding a few days/week); a list of rainy-day indoor physical activities; books from library (physical or online) so they always have something to read; & a ton of creative options (koala/kiwi crates, coloring, free drawing, etc)

Answer 10

School ending is bad! That curriculum is over and now you are on your own. It stinks! Just get the white board out and draw up your schedule. Maybe get a large jar with ideas for “free hour” or “free play”. It’s so limited these days with outside house/ subdivision activities

Answer 11

I love fit fresh meals, They make individual healthy meals, They are really good and All have to do is grab one and put it in the microwave for like 2 min. I just ordered my own containers too and start doing some of my own! Every week we choose a different trail to go explore that we haven’t been to. Hoping to go down to Shawnee this summer and stay at a cabin depending on how everything goes! We do plan to do Route 66 too! Even if restaurants aren’t open by then, can still order for curbside and find a new spot to hang out outside and eat! We Are investing in a projector also going to have movie nights outside and concert nights where we only play live shows from certain bands! My husband and I are doing a Zack Brown band concert in June since his tour is canceled and we go every year  

Answer 12

I’m not much help except to say it’s also ok to let kids be bored, give them projects/tasks to do around the house, maybe let them start a garden, and have a chill summer. This idea we are event planners for our kids is a new one. ❤️