Covid has trapped many-a-middle-aged-woman at home attempting to educate and entertain children. I count myself among this number, devoid of support & adult outlets. but also deeply grateful that we still had our health and those we love. It's not much better for children, although they will undoubtedly bounce back once we have defeated COVID-19. However, I wasn't sure how much longer we could hold out, hold-up.
We had to get out of the house safely that allowed us to follow all social-distancing & mask protocols. We live in the sunbelt where winter is the preferred time for outdoor activities. I have never been more grateful for the desert climate than during covid. The moderate temperature allowed those in my region to resume some aspects of normal life like religious services, sooner because we could hold them outside w/ distancing and masking. It also allowed my children and I to take some socially distanced road trips.
My favorite was our recent drive out to the Hoover Dam. It's a roughly 1/2 day drive for us each way, which meant I would need to figure a lesson plan that I could implant from the driver's seat. I landed on a day of music appreciation, along with the obvious history lessons of the engineering feat that many call one of the wonders of the New World.
When I found this incredible playlist, I knew I had my less plan; music lit! The drive from our home to the Hoover Dam takes us through the Joshua Tree Forest in AZ, along route 93. The playlist carried us through the entire car ride. When we arrived at the Hoover Dam I used that time to play them one of my favorite songs, and if you've not heard it before, PLEASE take a listen. I love the story of eternal rebirth it tells; Highwayman by the Highwaymen.
Are you also being socially responsible and it's driving you crazy being locked up in the house with your kids? Don't listen to that voice inside your head that says that the only thing that would be worse is being trapped inside of a car with them for the entire day!
Plan that day trip you never had time for before! Think about what it means to you, and how you can bring a little of their schooling into & you can call it lesson. Now you're killing it on all fronts. Not to mention I promise you'll breathe a little deeper & easier in the great wide open!