Single Moms: Here Are Some Activities to Keep You and the Kids Busy During COVID-19

The home life of a millennial mom could vary substantially. Whether you're living in an apartment in the city to a house in the country, What doesn't change is the effort you put in to give your children the best life they can have. So, what does home life look like during COVID-19 for either scenario? For the 75% of divorced children who live with their mothers, this time stuck inside is all the more reason to stay busy with activities to do together. Consider these points if you are a millennial mom looking for some inspiration for your home life during these long months kept inside. However, most aspects of home life during the "new normal" will remain the same regardless of where you live. For example, there's the obvious truth that you're going to do everything you can to provide a … [Read more...]

How to Adjust to the ‘New Normal’

Our lives have drastically changed in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the things that were part of our regular routines that we never thought twice about have been significantly altered or halted entirely. Millions of people are now working from home, kids are learning from home, and many of the businesses we used to visit have closed their doors to slow the spread of the virus. We live in a new world and a new normal, but adjusting to these changes is easier said than done. Thankfully, there are many tools at our disposal and various steps you can take to adapt to the new normal, less strenuous. Digital Services We are fortunate that the virus has struck during the digital age when we have a slew of digital services at our fingertips. Though getting used to using … [Read more...]

3 Safe Summertime Activities For Families During COVID-19

There's little doubt that the novel coronavirus has thrown a wrench in your family's plans for the summer. Whether your daughter's day camp has been canceled or you've had to postpone your big vacation until next year, it's not easy to deal with the disappointment we all feel brought on by the pandemic. But not all is lost. Although it's important to continue staying home when possible, wearing masks when in public, and practicing social distancing measures, there are still plenty of activities in which your family can participate this season. Outdoor activities tend to be a bit safer than those that take place indoors, but you'll still need to be discerning when making your summertime selections. Here are three ideas to get you started that are both highly enjoyable and relatively … [Read more...]

How to Take a Pandemic Beach Trip

Each July, I pack up my car and my kids and we set out for Rhode Island, my home state.  It's a long day in the car but we make it work and it is all worth it when we pull into the driveway of our rental and take in the salty air.  Aaaah... In April of this year, I started to worry about my beach rental deposit.  The pandemic wasn't winding down.  Traveling between states wasn't OK. Would our trip even happen in 2020 or would it be another thing scrapped like so many other activities? Turns out YOU CAN take a pandemic beach trip here's how we did it. Pandemic Pre-Trip Prep Work Before we left I did a ton of research about what the state we were traveling through expected of any visitors.  So far we were in the clear and not expected to quarantine upon arrival.  I talked to the … [Read more...]

What I Love This Week

I'm on a mission to find fun, engaging, sustainable, and easy ways to make our life more enjoyable, as well as those that give back.  It's summer and it's Covid Summer #Quarantinelife still (did we really think this would still be a thing?!) so our world is different.  I'm looking for new businesses to support and ways to help my community because we are all suffering, growing (PLEASE!), and finding ways to learn. Social Moms, Social Stuff I write for the website Social Moms on the regular.  Here's the latest from me. 10 Black-Owned Beauty Brands You Need to Discover and How to Soothe Irritated Skin (I'm looking at you, face mask). Feeling anxious?  How about eating your way to being anxiety-free?   Shocking No One My Teen is Bored Looking for some fun DIY beauty ideas to … [Read more...]

5 Subscription Boxes That Children Will Love

Children have endured a remarkably unique set of changed circumstances in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whereas they would normally spend most of their time at school and with friends, they've recently had to isolate in order to stay safe. For that matter, many states have closed schools for the semester, which means that students who normally wouldn't be homeschooling are even being educated within their houses. Although most experts advise that children can leave the house and enjoy playing outside, they must do so while socially distancing, which means staying at least feet apart from anyone outside their family groups. As parents seek new ways to entertain their children, subscription boxes are growing in popularity. Subscription boxes have gained public attention within the past … [Read more...]

News, Notes, & 1950s Fashion

What's new with all you quarantina's this week?  Still staying cozy, baking, and zooming?  Me either.  I'm done. I am so officially done. I'm not complaining because I do actually like not driving my kids ninety-bazillion places each day and barely taking time to eat or read a book or talk with my spouse.  I like our quiet evenings at home where we aren't in a rush for showers and mid-week fire pits are now a thing. However, I'm so over my roots, missing my friends, and not seeing family.  That part blows. News Then this happened this past weekend.  This has not sucked.  It has been a ray of hope and sunshine and grace.  Not going to lie, it's also a nice distraction for the kids right about now. Meet Gracie.  Everyone needs a little grace.  So far as Gracie comes out of her … [Read more...]

News, Notes & Favorite Earth Day Things

How is everyone doing right now?  I mean, really, how are you doing? For my family here in Virginia, we have been in quarantine for over a month. We are in our second week of distance learning for our kids despite them being out since Friday, the 13th.  It's been a challenge.  However, we now realize that the slower pace suits us in a lot of ways.  Still, we miss our friends. We miss their faces. We miss our church family. Truthfully, I'm in a full Lymes flare up the likes of which I haven't experienced since 2018 when I was in full treatment mode.  I've been put on new drugs and anti-anxiety meds and I'm breaking out like a hormonal teen but I'm weeks away from turning 44. I feel so pretty! Sigh. Some days I don't know if I have got a handle on things or not.  Some days I am barely … [Read more...]

3 Fun Pool Games Your Kids Can Play This Summer

As summer creeps closer and closer, parents everywhere are thinking about how they can best keep their children entertained during those long, hot days. This challenge will likely be made even more difficult by the COVID-19 outbreak, as families may need to keep practicing social distancing measures for longer than expected. If you have a pool in your backyard, then you have an excellent tool for keeping the kids active without having to leave the house. Pools offer hours of endless fun for kids and adults of any age. As swimming is the fourth most popular recreational activity in the United States, practically everyone can find something they like to do in the pool. For kids, creative pool games offer the most entertainment. Let’s take a look at a few pool games that your little ones … [Read more...]

Parenting Children During the Coronavirus Pandemic: Tips for Parents

@priscilladupreez (unsplash) This is an unprecedented time in our world and, understandably, there are many questions and concerns due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The shut down of schools, business establishments, and restaurants combined with social distancing, and self-quarantine have resulted in major changes to how we navigate our daily lives. Families with children of all ages are impacted by these changes. Parents are creatively looking to adapt to new routines to support their children while seeking to establish responsibility, peace, and joy in the household. The balancing act can bring both rewards and challenges. Staying at home and following the directives from government officials is important. We all need to find safe and meaningful ways to support our children, one … [Read more...]