The Kitchen Table
As we enter Week 3, how are you fairing? In my house, the kids have settled into their new normal, with routines being set and a puppy who is getting the hang of this potty-training thing. The kitchen table has become the “epicenter” of our house. It’s where we are sharing 3 meals a day, but it has become so much more than that. With everyone home, the kitchen table has become a place where we just chat, play board games, watch videos, spread out puzzle pieces and just be together. After our dinner, we just sit and talk. It’s nice not having to rush off to be with friends, attend a board meeting or get back to work. Before Corona, the kitchen table was a catch all. Its where we grabbed a quick meal, the mail was thrown, or my son’s bookbag was haphazardly tossed. How sad that it took a pandemic for us to reconnect and take time for each other. What are you doing around the kitchen table? I am hoping you see the silver lining of this whole Cornona outbreak as time spent with family. If you are looking for some fun and different things to do here are some great resources you can download to do as a family.
Sesame Street in Communities is a fun resource for families with children under 6. Lots of games and activities. You do have to register but its free: https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/health-emergencies/
The Kennedy Center on YouTube houses some great performances but more than that they have Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems. Mo Willems is the author and illustrator of Elephant and Piggie books. One of my all-time favorites! https://www.youtube.com/user/TheKennedyCenter
Cape May Zoo presents Virtual Zoo School everyday live at 11:30 on Facebook. If you can’t catch it Live or don’t have a Facebook account you can see a recap here: http://www.capemaycountynj.gov/1400/Virtual-Zoo-School
The Metropolitan Opera is streaming free encore presentations every night https://www.metopera.org/ or if theater is more your jam Playbill has found over 10 Broadway plays for you to enjoy in the comfort of your home https://www.playbill.com/article/15-broadway-plays-and-musicals-you-can-watch-on-stage-from-home
How about a virtual tour of the Monterey Bay Aquarium or Hawaii’s Volcanos National Forest or DISNEY WORLD? You find all of those here plus much more https://www.insider.com/museums-theme-parks-offer-virtual-tours-ideal-for-social-distancing-2020-3#if-a-walk-through-disney-isnt-your-speed-try-going-for-a-virtual-rollercoaster-ride-7
Whatever you do, social distance from the world but don’t social distance from those in your home. Use this time to reconnect, play that board game, watch a movie, get a pulse on how the kids are digesting what is going on in our world. You’ll never regret the gift of time.
Steph Chambers M.Ed
