The Quarantine Life

Today is day four. As of right now, my estimated return-to-work date is March 31st. But, we were instructed to bring home a month worth of work. I dreaded this as the dominos began falling last week. First, the schools closed for two weeks. We suspended in-person orientations at work and were given permission to telework for the counties already affected by closures. Then Monday the governor issued closures for all non-essential employees. We were being forced to work from home. Our daycare declared they would stay open unless or until the CDC forced them to close. That came Monday evening. Tuesday morning I had some last minute loose ends to wrap up at work. Primero reluctantly stayed with the kids but I was home before lunchtime. Our quarantine had begun. I took Tuesday afternoon to work out a schedule for me and the little ones. They need structure now more than ever. I quickly decided we would keep our week-day sleep schedule; up at 7:30 am (I am usually up earlier, but I will be ok when it is time to go back) and to bed by 8:30 pm (11 for me). I try to focus the kids on some form of school work in the morning. I don't push for too much, just a little bit to engage their minds. We've watched a lot of educational videos about all kinds of random things, from the Titanic to asteroids, sharks, spiders, camels, and trains (of course). I have a lot of goals for myself to accomplish, one of them being a deep clean of the house. And getting caught up on all kinds of things. But, I still have to work. And trying to keep the kids occupied is a full-time endeavor. We picked up learning packets from school today (they are handing out free lunches and breakfasts for a few hours each day - we go mostly so the kids can have some form of connection to the school and to see staff they miss). I have to make a plan for next week. This is not a vacation! And there are rumors of the kids not returning to school at all (I guess that has happened in other states)! I truly hope that is not the case because I have no idea what I will do. Two weeks is about all I can handle! There are also rumors of the quarantine lasting longer than two weeks. I sincerely hope that is not the case. Yesterday our governor basically shut down the whole state. All business except those considered life critical, are being forced to close or face fines. I am trying to not focus too much on the greater implications to all of this. I need to focus on just keeping us all going and not losing it to a total mutiny. This is not easy!