A working mother finds time for crafts, school

A working mother finds time for crafts, school
Brianna Juliano is keeping her children busy during the quarantine with crafts, schoolwork and a very defined daily schedule. Photo by Brianna Juliano

CORNWALL — Unfortunately, in our particular region, we will not be receiving specific direction from the school on distance learning until the end of next week.

In the meantime, I have kept my kids on a regular schedule to try and maintain their engagement and also my sanity.

We wake up everyday around the same time that we’d all be getting ready for school and work and follow a schedule like the one in the photo above.

Throughout the day I check in, but I am also working from home on regular office hours so this is really helpful for us all. Just making the extra effort to wake up early and get changed as if we’re leaving the house makes a huge difference for everyone! Pajamas are a big distraction.

To supplement the suggested links that were provided by our teachers, I also purchased workbooks that cover a variety of subjects in math and English Language Arts. I stocked up on a bunch of craft materials at Michael’s before the stores started to close (but I also always have plenty of art tools on hand).

On days that are cold or too rainy to be outside, I use the Nintendo Switch to help me out with an hour of Just Dance or yoga to keep them active and moving.

I try not to just end our day at 4 p.m. and tell my kids they’re free to do what they please; I feel like that’s too open-ended and they’d spend the remainder of the day watching TikTok videos until their brains melted out of their ears. I give them dedicated “free time” between 4 and 5 p.m. and then they help me with dinner or other chores around the house.

Our schedule isn’t always 100% concrete and we’ve definitely sprinkled in other activities here and there, but having some kind of general outline keeps us all functioning.

Note: TikTok is a website with short videos at www.tiktok.com.

 

Brianna Juliano works in Cornwall and lives in Torrington. Her children are in second grade and fourth grade.

 

Editor’s note: The Lakeville Journal is providing content related to the coronavirus outbreak for free as a public service to our readers. Please support local journalism by subscribing to The Lakeville Journal, The Millerton News, or TriCornerNews.com or by becoming a contributor to our membership model. Click here for more information.

Latest News

Racecars roar in NASCAR’s return to Lime Rock Park

High-speed action made for a weekend of excitement at Lime Rock Park Friday and Saturday, June 27-28.

Photo by Simon Markow

LAKEVILLE — For the first time since 2011, Lime Rock Park hosted National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing events June 27 and 28.

It was billed as the largest event in modern track history with an estimated 20,000 fans attending.

Keep ReadingShow less
Joseph Robert Meehan

SALISBURY — Joseph Robert Meehan the 2nd,photographer, college professor and nearly 50 year resident of Salisbury, passed away peacefully at Noble Horizon on June 17, 2025. He was 83.

He was the son of Joseph Meehan the 1st and his mother, Anna Burawa of Levittown, New York, and sister Joanne, of Montgomery, New York.

Keep ReadingShow less
Florence Olive Zutter Murphy

STANFORDVILLE, New York — It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Florence Olive Zutter Murphy, who went home to be with the Lord on June 16, 2025, at the age of 99.

She was born in Sharon, Connecticut on Nov. 20, 1925, and was a long time resident of the Dutchess County area.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chore Service hosts annual garden party fundraiser

Chore Service hosted 250 supporters at it’s annual Garden Party fundraiser.

Bob Ellwood

On Saturday, June 21, Mort Klaus, longtime Sharon resident, hosted 250 enthusiastic supporters of Northwest Corner’s beloved nonprofit, Chore Service at his stunning 175-acre property. Chore Service provides essential non-medical support to help older adults and those with disabilities maintain their independence and quality of life in their own homes.

Jane MacLaren, Executive Director, and Dolores Perotti, Board President, personally welcomed arriving attendees. The well-stocked bar and enticing hors d’oeuvres table were popular destinations as the crowd waited for the afternoon’s presentations.

Keep ReadingShow less