Hey, friends, How are you?
Before you answer, let me say upfront that if you just want to scroll down to ideas and resources, they’re towards the bottom where you see the graphic. It won’t hurt my feelings if you skip my musings. Really. I won’t know.
This is a weird, weird time, and for whatever reason I keep thinking of this sticker I got from the oral surgeon one time. It said, “Be nice to me. I had a root canal today.”
It feels like we all need a sticker right now. Like, “Be nice to me. It’s my first pandemic today.”
I’ve actually been pretty encouraged by the messages of support and kindness I’ve seen. Yeah, there are people hoarding toilet paper (Hey, stop that, if you’re one of them, please), but there are also people offering to shop for older folks and people offering free classes online and people ordering more take out than they probably need to support their favorite restaurants.
And that all reminds me of talking to my grandma shortly after September 11th. She reminded me of Pearl Harbor, and WWII, and a bunch of other awful stuff that we got through. And on that note, I have also seen a bunch of memes online about how this is no big deal compared to those things, and how this is really a great opportunity to hang out with your family, and while I think those things are true, I also know that this is a really big deal for a lot of us, and I hope you give yourself some grace here if you’re sitting in your pajamas watching Frozen 2 for the 10th time instead of baking bread and teaching the kids algebra and what not.
Pretend I gave you a sticker if you want.
Moving on…….
You’re invited….
If you are looking for ideas of things to do, local support and resources, or so on, I would like to invite you to join our new Facebook group:
South Sound Fun at Home With Sounds Fun Mom.
We’ll have links to virtual tours, small businesses offering curbside pick up, lists of fav parks that are playground free, and other good stuff. The emphasis will be on local resources, so that when this is all done you can go thank and visit them in person!
If you don’t want to join another group but you do need some ideas, keep reading
If You Want to Do Some School at Home
ThriftyNorthwestMom has a great list of online, educational resources. I know that many schools are also going to be working on getting some things out for your older kids. Do keep in mind that some sites are going to require you to input personal information or will hit you up for a subscription after some period, so proceed with caution!
If You Want to Get Outside
we have a great list of easy nature hikes here. You should be able to enjoy any of these while still practicing social distancing, but I leave the final determination up to you, obviously.
You may also like one of these park or hike posts. Again, I’m leaving it up to you to decide if you can do one while being safe-and if we are asked to just stay home at some point, well, I’d do that.
Sequalitchew Creek in Dupont is one of our most popular hike posts. Most of it is even stroller friendly!
We also have a list of Local hikes that end at beaches
If You Want to Get Crafty
Ben Franklin and The Makery are offering curbside pick up of their craft kits.
If You Need to Get the Kids Online
Comcast is offering free internet to qualifying families.
Internet Essentials from Comcast:
Families who are qualified for Free/Reduced Lunch may be eligible for the Comcast Internet Essentials Program. Cost is $9.95 a month and families may be eligible for a low-cost computer. Check here or call 1-855- 846-8376 for more details.
If You Want Someone Else to Cook
If you can afford it and are comfortable with delivery or pick-up, Sue Kidd has an amazing list of area restaurants offering take out or delivery, and it would be a great way to support them during this difficult time.
If you need other help, you are welcome to leave a comment, and I’ll do my best to offer some suggestions.
xoxo Maegen