Self Care and … Homeschooling?!

COVID-19 means we’re all home more..

… so we might as well make the most of it!

They say home is where the heart is, but sometimes … we’d rather be someplace else! At Hardwood Specialties, we’re experts in helping our clients make their houses into homes, so they can be a sanctuary from everyday life. But what happens when the sanctuary starts to feel like house arrest? 

That’s when you have to get creative! Read on to get inspiration for coping, with self-care, homeschool creativity, and more. And, don’t forget, we’re here to help when you’re ready to renovate your bathroom, update your flooring or cabinets, install new lighting, and more. Contact us today to get started!

Now is the time for self care.

If there ever was a time to dig out all those face skin masks you impulse-bought, it’s now! Tell the rest of your family it’s you-time, and lock the bathroom door. 

That’s better. 

Now, check out these links for some serious self-care tips to try:

• Here’s Halle Berry’s DIY facemask, using common kitchen ingredients.

• Hair salons are closed right now, but you can still work with what you got! Try these quick hairstyles.

• Get glowing legs with this recipe for a sweet sugar scrub.

If you’re looking around your bathroom, wishing it was the oasis of your dreams, we can help! Let us help you find the right tile, fixtures, cabinets and more.

Focus on family.

If you have school-aged kids at home, like a lot of us, you might be ready to tear your hair out. There is such a thing as too much together time! Instead of sending everybody to their rooms, try to get some good times rolling with these fun family activities.

• Make a cardboard fort. You’re probably ordering a bunch of stuff online right now, anyway, so make those boxes do double duty!

• Bake something together. Baking is soothing and fun, and delicious! You just have to be ok with a little extra mess. 

• Make your own Play-Doh. Try this recipe.

2020: The year everyone tried homeschool!

It’s hard to change gears in the middle of the school year. The whole country is upset over trying to balance working at home, staying at home, and homeschooling … at home. 

Until your little darlins’ can get back to a normal routine, try a few of these tips from veteran homeschool parents:

• Don’t try to do school at home! You can’t replicate the exact schedule and atmosphere, so don’t try. Instead, try a more relaxed approach, and only do a subject or two a day. Really. Experts say your child won’t fall behind.

• Allow for tons of play. Young kids need to play, especially when lots of adults around are stressed out! Give yourself and your little ones a break.

• Help middle school-aged kids maintain friendships with video chatting, or even old-fashioned letters. 

• Focus on your older teens’ mental health. Keep the communication open. 

To help you keep a little sanity, and to encourage your kids to engage in school activities at home, consider setting up a homeschool station. Here are some links for inspiration:

• If you have a whole room available, check out this dedicated homeschool space. It’s packed with an energetic balance of fun, movement and learning. 

• Try one of these ideas, using floor pillows, transforming the dining room table into your kid’s desk, or changing shelves, corners or even closets into learning spaces!

Slow living is good living. 

It can be hard to adjust when you go from a packed schedule, full of work, school, after-school activities, play dates … to canceling everything for social distancing! 

But you can try to be positive … this won’t last forever. You’ll be back to running around in no time. So make the most of what you have, and try a few things you never seem to have time for!

• Read some of the books on your shelf.

• Learn/practice a musical instrument.

• Try knitting/embroidery/sewing!

• Send out snail mail letters or cards. You’ll brighten somebody’s day!

Don’t forget the backyard!

We’ve been talking about all the ways you can enjoy being stuck inside, but don’t forget … you can still go outside!

Porches, decks, front and back yards … think of all these spaces as extensions of your house. Consider a backyard picnic or playing a game of catch. Hang out in the sunshine with your dog or kids, or just enjoy the spring weather by yourself!

Hardwood Specialties is here!

And we’re ready to help you with your home renovation needs. Contact us with any questions you might have, including how our hours or operations may change due to social distancing regulations.