One month ago to the day, my family had just returned home from a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Disney World, riding the high of family time, and without a care in the world. We went away for one week, and aside from a few meltdowns, everyone stayed healthy, our travel was uneventful, and we had the time of our lives together. Coronavirus was not even a blip on my radar.

Today, Coronavirus (Covid-19) is all I think about. No part of my life has gone untouched by this cataclysmic life event, and I’m sitting here wondering, how on earth do we navigate this? And more importantly, how do I do this as a mom? And here’s the thing, we, globally, universally as mothers, are in the same boat. 

Can I tell you how I hate feeling so out of control? I hate not knowing when this virus will peak, or who it will claim in its path. I hate watching this virus ravage other countries. I hate that life is turned upside for the foreseeable future. I feel guilty for the frustration I feel over the disappointment and inconvenience it’s causing in my life.

But I DO love the return to a simpler life; the call to get back to the basics of family, time together, connecting with friends, and community. When a pandemic hits, life is put into perspective, isn’t it?

Make no mistake, anyone and everyone will be impacted by this pandemic, most notably local businesses who have been forced to shut their doors.

Here are some ideas as we begin to navigate this new normal together: 

Get the Wiggles Out

• Cosmic Kids (available on YouTube or Amazon): Keep your kiddos busy and centered with yoga and mindfulness techniques.
• Zumba with Dovydas: Get up and get dancing with certified Zumba instructor, Dovydas Veiverys’s dedicated videos for kids and adults alike.
• Lego Quarantine Challenge: Any brick masters out there? A new challenge is posted every morning to keep your little ones building.
• Hit the Trails: Being quarantined doesn’t mean we have to stay inside! As the weather warms up, let our list be your guide to the perfect local hike.

Get Artsy & Literary 

• Cassie Stephens (11AM CST): Follow this teacher who channels an artsy Ms. Frizzle both in dress and fun instruction for her weekly drawing and writing prompts all from Facebook Live and IGTV
• Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems via the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
• Storyline Online: Looking for audible books for your kiddos to listen to as well? Storyline offers interactive and engaging stories of popular and current children books read by celebrities via Vimeo or Youtube. Free and available at any time. 
• Pete The Cat (12PM EST): Got the stuck-at-home blues? Tune into their official Instagram for a virtual story! 

Explore Our Community

• St. Louis and St. Charles County Libraries: While their physical buildings are closed, slpl.org and myLibrary.org is always open for ebooks, eAudioBooks, research tools, study materials and online magazines.
• Play Street Museum: Our favorite children’s museum has temporarily closed their doors, so be sure to purchase your play pass NOW so that you’ll be ready once they open their doors again! They also have slime kits available for $5 that you can pick up!
• Sweetology is offering sweet bar orders for pickup, in addition to decorating kits you can use to create together at home!

Explore the World

• Cincinnati Zoo Home Safari Live Stream – Daily at 3PM on Facebook.
• Everyday Agriculture with Illinois (12PM CST): Offers everyday lessons and topics on agriculture and ecology topics.
• Virtual Museum Tours Around the Globe: Enjoy a close-up visit to some of the world’s most famous museums.

Tangible Ways to Help:

• Order a tshirt from City Mom Collective! All proceeds go to Feed America. 
• Volunteer or Donate to Meals on Wheels (they exist purely to serve the elderly and handicapped).
• Explore ways to contribute to efforts for providing school lunches to those who rely on them.
• Give blood! The American Red Cross is always in need. 
• Tap into your mom community network to meet urgent needs for all ages – never met your neighbor? Now is the time!
• Check in on your elderly neighbors and family members – offer to go shopping or run errands for them. 

Maintain Calm in Your Home & Care For Yourself

• Kids are SMART. They know something’s up, if not what exactly is happening. Kids are like barometers. They know they’re not going to school, and that their routine is different, and that mom and dad are home all the time, and likely more on edge than usual. Moms, we are allowed to be real and break down. But now, MORE THAN EVER, we need to be a calm presence in our home. Our families need peace and continuity, and that job falls to us. I know it’s easy to panic, but let’s hang on by the skin of our teeth and be the normalcy our children are craving. 

• Self-care may look at little different these days, but don’t neglect it! 
• If you have a partner at home with you, tag team and make time to exercise, take long walks, enjoy long showers or bubble baths, find a new show to stream, or download a book you’ve wanted to read. Reese Witherspoon’s book club is a good place to start, OR better yet, get a group of friends together to form your own virtual book club! 
• Don’t neglect your marriage/partnership! Make time to discuss topics not related to Covid-19. Why not order takeout/delivery from your favorite local restaurant and schedule a date night in?
• Check out contributing writer Lindsay Fischer’s 30-Day Self Care challenge on Instagram!

Ways to Support Small Business

• Order products online or order takeout from your favorite local eatery.
• Buy local when possible.
• Share product reviews/ local business content on social media.
• Leave a good review online (Think 5 stars!). 
• Buy gift cards to use in the future.
• TIP! Many in the service industry will be hit, as tips make up the primary portion of their income. Tip often and generously if you order carry out or grocery/restaurant delivery. 
• Check out the amazing work the Women’s Creative is doing to support local businesses- #314Together!

Ways to Engage with St. Louis Moms Blog: 

• Continue reading our daily blog posts and engaging with our content! We are still here, and our heart is to encourage you in motherhood.
• Stay tuned for future events. We love events the most out of all we do, and we can’t wait to welcome you all at our next event.
• Participate in our Word of The Day initiative on Instagram as a way to capture your emotions during this time. 
• Don’t forget to check out our Kids Eat Free Guide  for lots of delivery/curbside pickup options!

We are in this together.

Our world, our city, and our families need us now more than ever.