Today was another challenge. I know that everyday will be different. We just have to deal with it as we go along and adjust the schedule a bit as needed. Just remember we’re blessed that everyone at home is healthy and safe. Today was a longer day as parents have “homework” to do to setup kids google classroom.

So here’s my day:

9am – Last minute O’s teacher text us to try out google classroom. She wants to do a test run on google meet at 9am so we all did. LOL.. It was semi of a fail since this is the first time since the kids saw each other or be able to talk to each other in couple of days. As some of us remote workers know, when everyone talking at the same time it’s chaotic. We can’t hear each other. We have to understand kids will be kids. They get excited as now its out of their norm. They don’t get to see each other Mon – Fri anymore nor have lunch together, etc. Kids were so happy to be able to see their teacher since last Friday. We did a 15 minutes test run with the class and teacher had to sign off and figure a better solution.

9:30am – 12pm – The girls did their assignments that I put together (since remote learning doesn’t officially start til next Monday 3/23). They were finished within an hour but luckily I had backup plan. Girls love arts n crafts so they took out the craft bin and stayed in O’s room to get creative using construction papers.

12pm – 1pm – Lunch was on schedule since I had this hour as work block. Was able to serve some quick lunch. I learned to do some meal prep on Sunday/Monday nights. So this week, I got a rotisserie chicken, cut it up and used it for the first half of the week. I made chicken soup with mai fun (Chinese thin white noodles). It was simple, just heat up chicken stock, add the ready blanched mai fun and add the chicken into the soup. Within 10 mins, lunch is served. Also, once they’re done with lunch early, they get free play until “recess/lunch” is over. This motivates them to eat faster to earn play time.

1pm – 2:30pm – Independent reading for 45 mins then have the girls write sentences using the words of the week. I must admit they were quick with their assignments but thank goodness I got backup plans ready and had them do free writing about how they like homeschooling. It was indeed interesting and fun to read coming from them.

For the rest of the day until I’m done with work, girls had free play and was allow to be on their devices to play Roblox or Minecraft. This is something the girls look forward to everyday now. I just know it can’t be work all day.

Since we didn’t take a long outdoor time today, I managed to make some dinner so we ate around 7pm today. Tonight’s dinner: Veggie soup, chicken fried rice and shrimp. Easy 30 mins meal.

Once the kids are down for the night, I had to start doing my “homework” for the kids. Teachers been sending tons of updates via Remind app (a communicator between teachers and parents). Because I have 2 kids, that means twice the work. I had my glass of wine and snack next to me while on FaceTime with my girlfriend to figure how to set up these kids. Yes, this was another opportunity for social distance. Turns out we have a classroom code that we have to join for each subject that the kids have. I had to get familiar myself for my kids. It was a learning curve for me as well.

Its only day 3 and I can tell you all so far I’m feeling ok just because remote learning does not officially start yet. I can tell you next week will be a whole new world. More to come.. Good night!

Tips:

• Always have a backup plan as kids can finish their assigned activities quick or there’s no set time. Must act quick because kids do not have any patience. Jot down somewhere and make a list of any possible activities that your kids be interested. I can tell you my list have grown tremendously since Monday. If you need ideas, any social platform (ie. Pinterest, Facebook parent groups, Instagram) is a great place to get ideas.