I'm an eternal optimist, who believes in making the best of any situation and making do with what we have to work with. Kids home from school? No problem. Working remotely? No problem. We can't control what's going on in the world, but we can control our attitude and how we live in our homes.
In fact, the years I've spent working remotely, I home schooled and even ran a Day Care at one time in my life. It was busy, fun and crazy all at the same time. I survived it with a lot of great memories and a smile on my face. That's what I want to encourage people to do on this blog. Create a very unique and special "Remote Home Haven" making memories and having fun with your loved ones.
Here's 4 quick tips on how to do that.
Tip #1 Create an Atmosphere of Calm
It's important to stay calm and joyful in our homes. Our energy and mood affects every member of our family 's mood and attitude. Keep it light and bright in your home. Create work spaces with good lighting, comfy space and make them inspiring. Scents also affect our feeling of well being. Candles and diffusers, with calming scents like eucalyptus, lavender and lemon, create a tranquil mood. It only takes a few minutes to rustle up a batch of chocolate chip cookies, that will make your home heavenly. I also suggest playing soft, feel good music, like classical jazz, country, Christian, whatever creates a good vibe. Create or download meditation moments with your spouse and kids. It's great to take those moments to breath in, and experience gratefulness.
Tip #2 Working Remotely with Kids Home-Get to know them on a New Level
This is a chance to get to know your children on a whole new level. What a great opportunity to know what it's like as they navigate through a school day. Yes, it's hard to work with children home saying "I am hungry" every hour. Or, "Susie touched me Mom!" Trust me, I understand, because I lived through it. My best advice; go on line to the Home School Association or Chapter in your area and connect with experienced home school parents. It's also important to create work spaces for the children outside of sibling touching distance. Run your remote home school on a schedule and use timers to have a recess, lunch and free time. Have fun, you are the substitute teacher for the next few weeks. Teach them, create manners classes, crafts, a nature hike! Get creative and love on them, because they are probably a little scared right now and may need to express that in healthy ways.
Remember children do need to get the "wiggles" out and tend to do well when they can do exercise videos, and outdoor running activities. Keep them on a schedule and run a tight ship. Enjoy the moments of knowing their work habits, strengths and weaknesses. It's a great way to connect with children.
Tip #3 Get a Grip on the Meals & Snacks
Make best friends with your Crockpot, Insta-pot or Toaster oven! No one expects gourmet meals, but kids just want to eat all the time. This requires meal prepping and snacks during the day. Why not incorporate a cooking class with real cookbooks and let the kids help make the recipes? They will soon be making meals if they are age appropriate. Don't cook? No worries, give your kids a recipe and they will teach you. Home Economics Class 101. Most importantly, make memories, let them get messy and enjoy the moments.
4. Include Robes & Slippers. Placing robes in a guest room, truly make a guest feel pampered. It takes your guest room to a whole new level, just like a posh hotel. 
