This year has just been weird, hasn’t it? And the upcoming holiday of Halloween will make no difference. We were lucky to get Halloween on a Saturday with a full moon. Ooooooh, spooky! Then, our luck stopped when this year also included a pandemic. But don’t worry: Halloween is not cancelled; it just might look different. Here are 10 ideas to have fun this … [Read more...] about 10 Ideas to Celebrate Halloween in 2020
Coronavirus
What Are Pandemic Pods, and How Could They Help Your Child’s Education?
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many schools to switch to remote learning. However, concerns arose when it became evident that online instruction was not engaging students in the same way as in-person learning. Disparities in education quickly became evident as well: Not all students had access to a working computer, and some students had additional responsibilities at home that … [Read more...] about What Are Pandemic Pods, and How Could They Help Your Child’s Education?
How to Find a Job Despite Crisis, Chaos, and COVID!
Where there is a challenge, there are also opportunities. You have no limits. Think about where you really want to be — and what you are willing and able to do.Evaluate your skills.Update your résumé, and tailor it! Ask yourself: How can you make your application/résumé stand out?Hiring supervisors do read cover letters, but they will stop reading if they think it’s a form … [Read more...] about How to Find a Job Despite Crisis, Chaos, and COVID!
Pregnancy & COVID-19: Know Your Rights in the Workplace!
Did you know that women, and disproportionately women of color, are on the front lines of this crisis? According to the Center for Economic Policy and Research, nearly two-thirds of frontline workers are women and people of color, who are overrepresented in industries such as: building custodians/housekeeping (90.7% female, 69.8% people of color),child care … [Read more...] about Pregnancy & COVID-19: Know Your Rights in the Workplace!
Dealing with Dejection During COVID-19
During a time of isolation, feelings of rejection heighten. If you’ve dealt with a messy breakup, been abandoned, or experienced major death loss, this covid chaos might bring you full circle to Stage 1 of grief, which you thought had passed. Add to that children in your face, fingers under the bathroom door, and tweenage attitudes about school assignments, and these feelings … [Read more...] about Dealing with Dejection During COVID-19
Doing Her Part: A Seamstress Joins the COVID-19 Effort
The coronavirus pandemic hit home for Giana Mylan. Literally. That’s because Mylan, 28, lives in Queens, New York, the county with the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States. One of the most serious logistical crises facing those on the front lines of the effort to slow, stop, and defeat the virus is the shortage of personal protective equipment, or PPE for … [Read more...] about Doing Her Part: A Seamstress Joins the COVID-19 Effort
Shutdown Parenting: Protect Your Child’s Education
I’m going to respond to some comments I’m receiving during this shutdown. As a former homeschooling mum with previous homeschool support experience, I have some words of affirmation for the parents trying to maintain academic consistency at home. “My child refuses to participate.” I’m sure many parents trying to follow the distance learning programs coming in by the … [Read more...] about Shutdown Parenting: Protect Your Child’s Education
Extra Measures to Protect the Highly Vulnerable
In addition to the President’s recommendations and state government restrictions for social distancing, not shaking hands, wearing gloves and masks, self-quarantining, etc., here are other things you can do to stay safe and not bring disease home to at-risk family members, including the elderly (especially those who have other risk factors such as diabetes, heart disease, … [Read more...] about Extra Measures to Protect the Highly Vulnerable
11 Tips for Homeschooling Temporarily
Many schools are closing across the country. Some of these schools are switching to more of a homeschooling format to keep the learning going through this unplanned time off from school. So now, parents who have previously sent their kids to school are finding themselves needing to act as their children’s teachers. Here are some tips from someone who is right there in the … [Read more...] about 11 Tips for Homeschooling Temporarily
8 Ways to Keep in Touch with Elderly Loved Ones When You Can’t See Them in Person
The elderly, especially those with pre-existing conditions (heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, respiratory issues including asthma and COPD, etc.) are at highest risk of dying from COVID-19. Right now, many are isolated and need contact from their family and friends. Here are ideas to keep up their spirits while you are separated. You benefit too from communicating … [Read more...] about 8 Ways to Keep in Touch with Elderly Loved Ones When You Can’t See Them in Person
Surprise! You’re Working from Home: 7 Tips to Make the Transition
Many professionals are learning that their jobs can be done from home right now. This is likely a position you may have dreamed about but never thought possible. This is certainly a position you never thought you’d be in. Here are some tips from a work-from-home veteran of nearly a decade: Make sure you have everything you need to do your job. Sit down and make a list of … [Read more...] about Surprise! You’re Working from Home: 7 Tips to Make the Transition
14 Tips to Take Care of Your Own Mental Health
Leaving the house and being social is often suggested as a way to stay mentally healthy, but sometimes, that is not possible. What is someone with depression or anxiety to do when she has to take social distancing measures? Here are 14 tips to help you get through these challenging times: Go outside. If the weather is nice, take a walk around the block or to a park. Just … [Read more...] about 14 Tips to Take Care of Your Own Mental Health
Are My Unborn Baby and I at Risk from COVID-19?
Here is what I have been telling my patients: There is a lot we do not know about COVID-19, but it seems to be similar to the flu in many respects. Precautions that pregnant women should take include avoiding travel by plane, avoiding crowds, and avoiding exposure to people who are ill. Frequent handwashing is important as the virus may reside on inanimate objects, such as … [Read more...] about Are My Unborn Baby and I at Risk from COVID-19?
What Do Parents Need to Know About the Coronavirus?
It’s all over the news: Another deadly illness is spreading all over the world, and of course, you’re worried about the children under your care. Here is what you need to know. If you have traveled recently to an area where the outbreak is severe, contact your doctor for advice. You can find a map with up-to-date information about the outbreak here: … [Read more...] about What Do Parents Need to Know About the Coronavirus?