SOCIAL DISTANCING LINKS & RESOURCES
As we all face this season of social distancing and quarantine it presents a new set of challenges for many of us. 2019 was a year filled with social distancing for our family. We chose to do this because our immune systems were so low and sickness seemed to be ever-present. We wanted to do everything we could to build our own health while caring for the health of those around us.
Even though we’ve been mostly healthy this year, social distancing is back in our lives once again. I’ve put together this list of resources with the hopes it will serve your family in the way it has mine. Some of these resources are new to this season and I’m excited we have them to share together.
This list is ever growing and I hope to add new links as time goes on. I’d love to hear what things you’ve been doing to make these moments count for you or your family. Leave a comment at the bottom of this page and we can continue building this resource together.
Note: None of the 3rd party links below are affiliate or sponsorships, just websites I’ve enjoyed using and wanted to pass along.
ORGANIZATION
Daily Docs
Remaining organized during our days at home is important. One of the first steps towards getting things done and reaching your goals is simply writing it down. I created this free printable to help you keep your life organized and planned.
The Making Every Moment Count Toolkit
Let’s not abandon progress on our goals! This toolkit provides the framework to conduct a full inventory of the key areas of your life and create the goals you need to make every moment count.
Spiritual Rhythms for Quarantine
Justin Early (author of The Common Rule) has put together a list of habits that are helpful for this time of social distancing and quarantine. I LOVE his stuff because it is so thoughtful and practical.
Lesson Planning Docs
I made these lesson planning docs last year as a way to stay organized and intentional with my boys. Whether you’ve been homeschooling or have recently had to make adjustments to your children’s school habits, these lesson planning docs can help you stay on top of things.
Lord’s Prayer
We have created the habit of saying the Lord’s Prayer every Sunday and Wednesday evening when putting our boys to bed. We’ve recently switched to saying this prayer every night. This image is one we keep around our home in various places to keep this prayer at the front of our minds throughout the day.
Family Mission Statement
This blog talks about some of the steps we’ve taken to make every moment count with our family. There are several links in this blog that are helpful for family organization. I will say one thing - our ideal week has changed significantly since posting this blog. Part of that change is due to the boys growing up and their schedules changing. But since so much has changed over these past weeks with COVID-19 and staying home, we’ve adjusted our ideal week and created a simplified schedule for every day - we call it Our Daily Rhythm.
BOOKS
The Common Rule
”Habits form us more than we form them. The modern world is a machine of a thousand invisible habits, forming us into anxious, busy, and depressed people. The Common Rule offers four daily and four weekly habits, designed to help us create new routines and transform frazzled days into lives of love for God and neighbor. Justin Earley provides concrete, doable practices, such as a daily hour of phoneless presence or a weekly conversation with a friend. These habits are “common” not only because they are ordinary, but also because they can be practiced in community. They have been lived out by people across all walks of life―businesspeople, professionals, parents, students, retirees―who have discovered new hope and purpose.”
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
”The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse are four friends who share a deep, unshakable bond. Through a series of brief but profound conversations, Mackesy teases universal truths and rich wisdom from the mouths of his characters, celebrating warmth and empathy in all its myriad forms. Exploring kindness through exquisite, sensitive artwork and delicate calligraphy, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is a moving study in friendship and the perfect gift for those people that you hold closest to your heart.”
Big Dreams, Daily Joys
”Big Dreams, Daily Joys is an empowering guide to establishing healthy habits so that it's easy (and fun!) to accomplish long-term goals. This productivity book is filled with simple-to-follow techniques, rituals, and exercises for accomplishing day-to-day tasks and making progress on bigger goals.”
The Vision Driven Leader
Why list a leadership book here? We received an advanced copy of this book (releases on 3/31) and have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It’s a really important message for the time we’re in. It speaks to the necessity of casting a vision of the future and bringing others along with you. We have a family mission statement that sums up who we are as a family. This book shows the importance of having a vision and a direction for you home and business.
Recommended Reading List for Your Little Ones
This blog offers a sampling of our favorite books we enjoy reading. Some of these are specific to the Christmas season, but not all of them. If you want to find out more information about any of the books, there are links provided so you can easily find them on Amazon.
Recommended Reading List # 1
I’ve compiled a list of books that we’ve enjoyed reading. If you want to find out more information about any of the books, there are links provided so you can easily find them on Amazon.
Recommended Reading List #2
I’ve compiled another list of books that we’ve enjoyed reading. If you want to find out more information about any of the books, there are links provided so you can easily find them on Amazon.
FOOD / HEALTH / HOME
San Francisco Style Sourdough Starter
”This classic heirloom starter culture ferments white flour to make deliciously tangy San Francisco-style bread, pizza crust, and more.”
(P.S. If you’re looking for a helpful “how-to” video on making sourdough - this video from @simplelifebykels is great!)
Vitamins - Truvani
A wonderful source for supplements. They have great options for gut health and boosting your immune system.
Green Pasture
I order fermented cod liver oil through Green Pasture. Everyone in our house takes this and we’ve seen a big improvement with staying healthy since we’ve made this a part of our lives - I highly recommend.
Thrive Market
Thrive Market makes ordering from home really easy. They offer your favorite organic and non-GMO brands at up to 50% percent off. They’re also offering a $20 credit on your first order when you pay for a year subscription.
Misfits Produce
Misfits Produce offers produce delivery at a discounted price. The prices are lower because they use produce that are slightly mis-shaped or abnormal looking.
Filter Time - Air Filter Delivery
Air filters are the worst because they always need to be changed and you rarely actually think about them. This service delivers them to your door and you don’t even have to think about them anymore.
ENTERTAINMENT / MEDIA
A List of Our Favorite Children’s TV Shows and Films
Over the past 3 years, we’ve been building a good list of TV shows and movies that we enjoy watching together as a family. There are a lot of chaotic and unhelpful forms of entertainment out there. I’ve wanted television to be something that both educates and sets a calm tone in our home. I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorites that have encouraged an atmosphere of gentleness and learning. I’m sure this list will grow over the years, but in the meantime here is a start. Enjoy!
All Sides (Balanced News Source)
I love this website because it filters news websites to help you understand the different “bent” each source has as it reports on a specific topic. This is a go-to for me every day.
Johns Hopkins - Coronavirus Map
There are a lot of maps out there showing the impact of the coronavirus. This map specifically has been the most helpful and informative for me. It’s easy to use and is kept up-to-date regularly.
New York Times - Live Updates
I limit checking the news since so much is changing so quickly. But In addition to using “All Sides”, I’ve also checked the New York Times live updates page.
ACTIVITIES
Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems
Children’s author and illustrator Mo Willems does a daily “doodling” session at lunch time. It’s really fun!
Art Sparks from Home - Louisville Speed Art Museum
A list of activities the whole family can enjoy from home Check out this page for resources and materials inspired by Art Sparks. This page is updated regularly!
Lift Up Lou - Activities in Louisville
Even if you don’t live in Louisville, there are a bunch of fun links and ideas for getting outside and staying active.
Treasure the Word - Scripture Memorization / Coloring Printables
Beautifully designed images for memorizing scripture. Each design is printable with the option of printing a version you can color yourself.
12 Museum Virtual Tours
12 famous museums are offering free virtual tours of their museums. This is a great activity for gathering on the couch together.
Nature Scavenger Hunt
This printable was beautifully designed by Lindsey Rose to help encourage you to get outdoors with your family.
Free Resources for Staying at Home - Crossway
Crossway has released a huge list of free resources to use at home - everything from eBooks to printable verse cards. Check this out for sure!
Virus Coloring Pages (1)
We’ve been really open and honest with Emet about the virus and the effect it having on the world around us. This, of course, has lead to a bunch of follow up questions. These coloring pages have helped guide some of our conversations and his understanding of what’s going on.
Virus Coloring Pages (2)
I came across these coloring pages when Emet asked for pictures of the virus to color. Johns Hopkins University created this coloring pages to help kids understand more about the virus and how we can all help prevent its spread.
ABC Mouse
We learned about ABC Mouse at the library. Emet has loved using this software and learning how to use a computer.
Audible - Selection of Free Audio Books
Audible has a pretty wide selection of free audiobook for adults and children. The cool part is, you don’t even have to sign up for an account. You can stream everything directly from the website.
20 Things to Do with Your Little One
I wrote this blog a couple of years ago, but I still use all of these things with my boys. If you’re looking for something to do while indoors, this is a great place to get some inspiration.
Please share some resources and links that have been helpful for you or your family during this time below. Let’s share and help each other out! :)
| Credits: Author & Photography - Jacintha Payne |