@tyrion_ The reminder that all these closures are preventative has been helpful for calming my anxiety too.
My office told everyone to work from home today, for the foreseeable future. It’s honestly a big relief because I’m not the one to have to make the decision and I don’t have to wait around wondering when it’s going to happen.
Today is the last day of school with kids until our district is off for 4 weeks. It's quite chaotic with everyone trying to get materials ready to send home. There are so many unanswered questions about what our role as teachers looks like during these several weeks.
We also decided to cancel our trip to Arizona. I need to call and make those cancellations. I'm hoping we don't lose too much money in all of this. It's a bummer since I don't think we will have a vacation in quite awhile but it did take a huge amount of stress and worry off my shoulders.
@coldlife@blackgirlmagic For me, the baby-alone-in-car situation is pickup from doggy daycare every other week. It's *such* a pain to get a cranky baby out of and back into the carseat for a one-minute task, but the bigger issue is that our dog is nutso about high-tailing it to the car after being "abandoned" for the day, and I simply can't control him and a toddler at the same time. So I cross my fingers and hope for understanding from my fellow dog owners.
Our daycare is still open for the time being, for which I'm grateful. It was sobering talking to DS' teacher at pickup yesterday. She's also pregnant, and I asked whether she was feeling anxious about still coming in to work -- she said no, she really hopes they stay open because she needs the money. Which was heartbreaking to realize. Surely, surely even if they close they'll keep charging us so they can pay their staff? It only seems fair. She's also trying to figure out childcare for after her baby is born, because she's waitlisted at our daycare. Apparently they give priority to siblings but not children of their staff (which would be like ONE baby a year to accommodate...). She'd like to come back after 6 weeks, and will have to come back at 12 just to keep her job, but there may be no-one to take care of her baby while she takes care of all of ours. It's so absurd. And also a reminder to keep things in perspective as we navigate the next few weeks/months. Many of us are luckier than we know.
@BusinessWife ugh no. I keep starting at my phone and willing it to ring. All through my work out I kept looking at it. I just ate a late lunch in my gear so I'm hoping if I get up and shower it will ring. If I don't hear anything by 4 I might call them.
Spring has shown up hardcore down here, and now I have to keep my legs shaved unless I want heat stroke. It makes me miss ds1's pregnancy and being big in the cooler months.
@emiliadkay The sad thing is that the daycare would probably still require you to pay even if they close but they typically pay the teachers/daycare staff by the hours they work so they still wouldn't pay them when they are closed. That is really crappy they cant offer her kid a spot when its born. I have interacted with the daycare teachers with DS1 previous centers and the whole reason some of the teachers with kids work in that field is to get childcare covered, typically at a discount rate. Pay for daycare workers is ridiculously low compared to the cost per childcare, especially the bigger name centers.
@RedBaramid I hope you hear soon. Nothing is worse than staring at your phone waiting for it to ring.
@psychobutthead We've been trying to be more mindful and minimalistic since we watched a documentary on minimalism and I ready Marie Kondo's book. We've gotten rid of quite a lot of paper and clothing, but it always seems like it just multiplies when no one's looking. My MIL's love language is gifts so every time she comes over she has something for us, whether it's food or a knick-knack, and now I'm half expecting her to bring is baby stuff too. I really try to remember only keeping the things that bring us joy, which helps me feel better about getting rid of stuff I don't want but feel guilty about getting rid of.
Well, yesterday the county next to mine (the "big city") woke up to the news that there are two positive cases in the county. Cue the panic everywhere. For now the schools are not shutting down, but the superintendents have sent out memos to parents to find childcare "just in case." My anxiety is at an 8/10. I go into homes and schools and daycares and have no idea which parents travel for work or work in the medical setting, and my agency's guidance so far is just to wash hands and sanitize toys. I have no idea what I'm going to do if the schools and daycares close. There is no way I'll be able to see all of these kids for therapy if I have to go to their homes, nor do I really want to go to all of their homes. But I also don't want to have to take any of my saved PTO because I'm going to need it in the fall.
With our schools being closed, Provence wide for 2 weeks following March break. I’ve just been informed that only custodial staff will be allowed in the building for next week. As of the end of day March 20 - ALL staff will not be permitted in the schools until April 5th.
All daycares in the schools have been closed effective Monday until April 6th.
All staff will be paid during the extra time off.
To listen to the news and hear of all the closures and cancellations of events and whatnot, just blows me away. As one radio DJ said “it would be easier to list the events still going on rather then list all those cancelled”.
I’m no longer in a panic though. I do realize this is 100% for the best and i totally appreciate what’s happening. I’m in good health, a natural hermit as it is anyway lol and work as I want being SE also work part time for the school board. Of course I would sign up for work next week though 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🙋🏼♀️🙋🏼♀️😝 (before the news broke). I’ll find out sometime Sunday what my duties will be as far as working for the school board next week. 😬.
I just realized I’m supposed to go in to the actual hospital in the next week or so to get a blood draw for the second part of my genetic screening. My mom is freaking out and doesn’t want me anywhere near a hospital. I think we have like four cases of covid-19 in our county. I feel like better to do it now, this afternoon, than wait til next week? Although I guess I could always just not do it at all, since it’s an optional screening. What do you guys think?
@viola_mama I would definitely call your provider on this one. If they seem to think that things are under control where are you are enough that you can get it drawn safely, and they advise you to do so then go for it. But being optional, I don't think anyone would fault you for skipping it altogether given the circumstances.
I fell asleep this afternoon and didn't wake up until after the office closed. Fingers crossed I get a call early Monday... earlier the better since I'd like to know if I should bother making myself that mini birthday cake or just stick with the popsicles.
Tried to call but no answer, so I just went. Seemed pretty quiet. The woman at the desk was very blasé about it all, ha. Took a whole three minutes, and I took the stairs instead of the elevator to avoid more people. Luckily nobody saw how out of breath I was by the time I got to the top. 😆
@wednesdaygirl1019 i read her book and watched her netflix special. I am constantly purging stuff that doesnt bring joy. Since we were going debt free I dont buy a lot of material items. My kids get toys or stuff on holidays and im careful what i buy becauseni budget. If I buy them new clothes then the old ones go out the door. My kids dont get many gifts from people. So all the stuff is cominf jist from my sister. The stuff alot of times isnt good stuff.
She sent a box of used clothes for my sonm which I dont mind but the clothes had been worn by 3 different boys until they all out grew it. The stuff was so worn out i couldnt even use it as play clothes donate to good will it was literally trash and she paid someone for those.
Pregnancy #1 DD 08.30.2007 Pregnancy #2 Natural Miscarriage at 6 weeks 03/2014 Due date 11/9/2014 Pregnancy #3 DS 02.23.2015 Pregnancy #4 Missed Miscarriage at 11 weeks 11/2018 Due date 5/22/2019 Pregnancy #5 Positive test 12/11/2019 Due Date 8/17/2020
I try to be minimalist, especially with kids stuff. We do lots of food in stockings at Christmas. Stockings can often be tons of junky trinkets, you know? So we do fun food things that they don't get all the time - animal crackers, juice boxes/pouches, fruit/veggie/yogurt melts or puffs, etc. therefore leaving less room for tchotchkes. We emphasize books over toys and as far as toys go, active and outdoorsy toys over tons of stuff. So this Christmas, my girls got a sled as a big gift and books. Right now, all of our toys (excluding outdoorsy toys and books) fit in a toy box that's approximately 1.5 feet by 1 foot by 1 foot. We haven't done this because I've kept it down, but I know people who pack half the toys away and then switch them out every few months.
I try to get rid of clothes I'm not actually going to use. I do know someone who does capsule wardrobes for her young children (kindergartenish and younger).
The bump needs to learn how to math. How am I halfway between peeing on a stick and giving birth if I’m not even halfway through my pregnancy?? No wonder they can’t get their app right.
Has anybody made the call to stay home from work just because you don't want to risk getting coronavirus? My brother and sister-in-law think I should cancel and not work. I am a speech therapist for early intervention (go to houses and daycares) as well as a speech therapist in an ABA autism therapy center.
@wife-and-mommy My husband's company has offered that any employee capable of working from home may do so. I'm a stay at home parent and DD is not in school yet, he's taking advantage and is working from home now. I'd say depending on where you live and what the spread looks like, the risk may not be worth it. If you're going in and out of others' peoples homes you may start receiving cancellations regardless.
@wife-and-mommy I honestly don’t know what I would do if I was still working. Before staying home I was a peds OT in the NICU/PICU and in one of our outpatient clinics. I wouldn’t have had a choice but if there’s an option for you to cancel during this time, I would.
All they want to do is eat and snack all day long. This is totally not the time to snack out of bordem.
Pregnancy #1 DD 08.30.2007 Pregnancy #2 Natural Miscarriage at 6 weeks 03/2014 Due date 11/9/2014 Pregnancy #3 DS 02.23.2015 Pregnancy #4 Missed Miscarriage at 11 weeks 11/2018 Due date 5/22/2019 Pregnancy #5 Positive test 12/11/2019 Due Date 8/17/2020
@psychobutthead If by, "kids," you mean "H" then yes! :D we're all a bit stressed. I may or may not have yelled at the baby for giving her cheese to the dog. :# I mean, I am <i>always</i> telling her to tell Mommy if she's done, but she just gets such a kick out of feeding him from her high chair! It's hard to stop her. But even daddy was on board today with like, uh no. Tell Mommy you're done and she will take your leftovers.
People food is for people, not dogs. Like, seriously.
Our schools have closed for at least 2 weeks. We will have one week back then spring break. Dd and I will both be off and laying low. I’ve started looking for some fun at home things to do.
I was going to wait a bit but since we’ve got the time I pulled out baby clothes to see what we were working with. Dd was a winter baby so our seasons won’t line up well til about 9m. Over all I’m not sure we will need much. Maybe round out a few NB pieces and some 6m things. My guest room is a disaster! I currently have girl clothes from NB to 5t (Dd is 4 and petite she’s in 3t stuff currently). So many clothes! Glad we won’t need to buy much. I’ll be glad to have things organized and put away. Dh needs to paint a dresser and we can finish the shuffle.
Went out this morning to get shoes for my son and my husband and I popped into a new furniture store in the area. We found a reasonably priced couch and bought it! We have been looking around for couches to fit our space and it was just such an unplanned surprise. Very unlike me to do something so on a whim, but I hardly thought about the scary state of our world all afternoon because my husband and I were rearranging furniture and cleaning. It was a much needed distraction.
@BusinessWife its tough when they are little. My son quickly out grew the feed the dog phase so i dont have that to worry about.
But im guessing they are just so bored because i dont even want to go to the park with them.
Hoping corona passes soon.
Pregnancy #1 DD 08.30.2007 Pregnancy #2 Natural Miscarriage at 6 weeks 03/2014 Due date 11/9/2014 Pregnancy #3 DS 02.23.2015 Pregnancy #4 Missed Miscarriage at 11 weeks 11/2018 Due date 5/22/2019 Pregnancy #5 Positive test 12/11/2019 Due Date 8/17/2020
@BusinessWife My son has known the baby sign for 'all done' since before he turned one, but now he prefers to tell me he's finished by throwing his plate on the floor.
@wife-and-mommy I'm an EI SLP too. In the last hour every county surrounding the one with an outbreak (of 2) has declared state of emergency and closed all schools. I am still expected to work on Monday morning. I just reached out to my supervisor and she said I could call her tonight to talk about it, because I am freaking out. I expect some of my families to cancel, but I know not all will want to (you know, the ones that are always adamant about having a session even when they have a perfectly good excuse not to have one).
@wednesdaygirl1019@wife-and-mommy I’m stressing out too. I’m going to call my doctor Monday and get his thoughts on whether I should call in sick or continue to try to show up. We have a growing outbreak (California) and I work at a large hospital in nursing administration. Our schools are closed starting Monday and we are bracing for a lot of sick calls due to childcare issues. I know my boss will protect me from being redeployed to an unsafe assignment, but I really want to work as far away from the hospital as possible if I can. I feel like I’m not being a team player right now and I feel pretty guilty about it.
@cornichonmam Right? I have seen her do the sign, so I know she knows it! They started doing a lot of them before when she was at daycare. I maybe don't remember to do it as consistently as they would be, but in situations like that, oh totally! I really try! I ask her if she's done, she shakes her head no, and then reaches out and drops the food, staring me dead in the face. 🤦 Much more comedic fuel than just signing and I take the food and tell her I'm proud of her. :/
@psychobutthead I do seriously hope she outgrows it bc it stresses me out 100x more now. 😔
@tara4910 please, try not to feel bad. This is a really unpredictable situation and no one would hold it against you for thinking of your family and your baby. I would think they would <i>Want</i> to protect you! (((Hugs)))
AFM, we are getting ready to head out to Church here, hand soap donations in tow! 🎉 The email from the Bishops said they have all the paper products, but are in need of hand soap and sanitizer. We are about as ready as we are going to be - all we can do now is pray!!! 🙏🙏🙏 😃😃😃👍👍👍
Each day I wake up with the intent to utilize this social distancing by cleaning and organizing my house and each day so far I have failed. I feel like I am doing worse than with our normal busy schedule, how is that possible?? I am getting some quality time in with DD and that has been really nice :-)
Reporting in from tiny apartment where nobody has left since... we can't remember if it was Thursday or Friday. I haven't left the house since my appointment Wednesday, my child has not left the premises since March 9th. I've only left for doctor's appointments on the days that I have had to leave. It's weird. We're all introverts though so we've been building forts, having lego build off's and watching lots of movies together. Yesterday there was a family Mario Kart battle. Honestly, I don't hate this... I just wish it was safe to order some take out occasionally.
My boss let me know they would work with me as much as they can during this craziness, which was nice and a little reassuring. This morning I started texting my client families and surprisingly many of them want to put services on hold for right now. I think the fact that I mentioned I was pregnant might have helped (I don't see all of my clients' parents because I also provide services in schools). I am making arrangements to see some of my families at the office clinic so I don't have to travel into homes where I don't trust that the parents would be truthful with the health status of the kids or themselves. That's based on previous experiences with these families sending sick kids (truly sick, like with a fever/vomiting, but they gave them tylenol so it's "ok") to school and daycare and then being surprised when they have to pick them up. Thankfully this is only the case with a handful of families. Most of mine are so lovely and considerate.
After going out to do errands yesterday, DH and I are spending the day at home cleaning and taking it easy. I'm feeling a lot better than I did yesterday, that's for sure.
I just sent DH to the store for carrot cake. 🍰🤰 Also, we just had a confirmed case in the county I work in and I am so hoping my job decides to finally close/force everyone to work remotely officially (and pay us on company overhead) so I dont have to go in. DS1 school is on distance learning and luckily one of his teachers said she would watch him for us while we work but I know it would be better if we didn't have to go anywhere.
Ugh. I just saw where they had the first baby born with coronovirus. Either contracted in the womb or during labor/delivery. I was hoping the babies didn't get it in the womb. I'm thinking of cancelling my midwife appt at the hospital on Friday. I'd have to take my daughter and I'd really rather not go into the hospital. I'm going to call and ask about it tomorrow. I don't believe I need any tests for this one.
Married July 2014 DD born June 2016 Second due August 2020 (team green!)
@BusinessWife We started at about 9 m but only did a few signs, 'food, water, more, all done'. I thought it was better to just do a few but be consistent. Nursery has recently taught him 'snack', Now his language is really coming on we don't use them as much. Also he smashed one of my nice side plates by throwing it on the floor the other day.
Oof! Sorry about the plate! @cornichonmam I feel like all we ever do is all done, and milk lol. If I could just teach her the one for poop! 😂 Would make potty learning much simpler
Holy hell. It's been a WEEKEND. Very exhausted and haven't been able to check in much, but I'm getting caught up with everyone this evening! Hope y'all are well and keeping your sanity throughout this chaos. DH is pretty sure they're going to shut down the gates here at our military base. No one coming in, and no one going out. We're just playing the waiting game for more information. Likely going to have to cancel my anatomy scan. Strange times we're living in.
Re: Randoms w/o 3/9
@tyrion_ The reminder that all these closures are preventative has been helpful for calming my anxiety too.
We also decided to cancel our trip to Arizona. I need to call and make those cancellations. I'm hoping we don't lose too much money in all of this. It's a bummer since I don't think we will have a vacation in quite awhile but it did take a huge amount of stress and worry off my shoulders.
Happy Friday everyone!
<img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/ms/8161ou68hjlc.gif" alt="">
@psychobutthead We've been trying to be more mindful and minimalistic since we watched a documentary on minimalism and I ready Marie Kondo's book. We've gotten rid of quite a lot of paper and clothing, but it always seems like it just multiplies when no one's looking. My MIL's love language is gifts so every time she comes over she has something for us, whether it's food or a knick-knack, and now I'm half expecting her to bring is baby stuff too. I really try to remember only keeping the things that bring us joy, which helps me feel better about getting rid of stuff I don't want but feel guilty about getting rid of.
I’m in good health, a natural hermit as it is anyway lol and work as I want being SE also work part time for the school board. Of course I would sign up for work next week though 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🙋🏼♀️🙋🏼♀️😝 (before the news broke). I’ll find out sometime Sunday what my duties will be as far as working for the school board next week. 😬.
She sent a box of used clothes for my sonm which I dont mind but the clothes had been worn by 3 different boys until they all out grew it. The stuff was so worn out i couldnt even use it as play clothes donate to good will it was literally trash and she paid someone for those.
Pregnancy #2 Natural Miscarriage at 6 weeks 03/2014 Due date 11/9/2014
Pregnancy #3 DS 02.23.2015
Pregnancy #4 Missed Miscarriage at 11 weeks 11/2018 Due date 5/22/2019
Pregnancy #5 Positive test 12/11/2019 Due Date 8/17/2020
I try to get rid of clothes I'm not actually going to use. I do know someone who does capsule wardrobes for her young children (kindergartenish and younger).
All they want to do is eat and snack all day long. This is totally not the time to snack out of bordem.
Pregnancy #2 Natural Miscarriage at 6 weeks 03/2014 Due date 11/9/2014
Pregnancy #3 DS 02.23.2015
Pregnancy #4 Missed Miscarriage at 11 weeks 11/2018 Due date 5/22/2019
Pregnancy #5 Positive test 12/11/2019 Due Date 8/17/2020
People food is for people, not dogs. Like, seriously.
Craft Blog
But im guessing they are just so bored because i dont even want to go to the park with them.
Hoping corona passes soon.
Pregnancy #2 Natural Miscarriage at 6 weeks 03/2014 Due date 11/9/2014
Pregnancy #3 DS 02.23.2015
Pregnancy #4 Missed Miscarriage at 11 weeks 11/2018 Due date 5/22/2019
Pregnancy #5 Positive test 12/11/2019 Due Date 8/17/2020
@psychobutthead I do seriously hope she outgrows it bc it stresses me out 100x more now. 😔
@tara4910 please, try not to feel bad. This is a really unpredictable situation and no one would hold it against you for thinking of your family and your baby. I would think they would <i>Want</i> to protect you! (((Hugs)))
AFM, we are getting ready to head out to Church here, hand soap donations in tow! 🎉 The email from the Bishops said they have all the paper products, but are in need of hand soap and sanitizer. We are about as ready as we are going to be - all we can do now is pray!!! 🙏🙏🙏 😃😃😃👍👍👍
After going out to do errands yesterday, DH and I are spending the day at home cleaning and taking it easy. I'm feeling a lot better than I did yesterday, that's for sure.
Also, we just had a confirmed case in the county I work in and I am so hoping my job decides to finally close/force everyone to work remotely officially (and pay us on company overhead) so I dont have to go in. DS1 school is on distance learning and luckily one of his teachers said she would watch him for us while we work but I know it would be better if we didn't have to go anywhere.
I'm thinking of cancelling my midwife appt at the hospital on Friday. I'd have to take my daughter and I'd really rather not go into the hospital. I'm going to call and ask about it tomorrow. I don't believe I need any tests for this one.
DD born June 2016
Second due August 2020 (team green!)