Better.

Quarantine Check In With Julie & John

Today, we are catching up on our quarantine experience so far and what it might look like with the next steps.

Instagram Live Quarantine Parenting Q&A 5/7

We're posting John's weekly IG Live Q&A from last Thursday, 5/7. We're talking about kids who happen to be thriving right now and what they're doing differently, why you might want to consider renovating a room right now, resolving bullying issues between siblings, how to strike a balance between modeling grit and grievance for your kids, and more. Most important thing to remember: YOU set the emotional tone of your home.

Please submit your questions for next week if you have any!

BONUS: John's Instagram Live Quarantine Parenting Q&A 4/30

"You are the emotional leaders of your home whether you want the title or not."

Here is John's Instagram Live Q&A from last Thursday, 4/30, for anyone who might have missed it. Some topics discussed include handling teenagers who seem depressed about what the future might look like, time management in regards to schoolwork, incentivizing productivity and peacekeeping in your home, and anticipating a rise in social anxiety as restrictions begin to ease in your area.

Trader Judy

In this lighthearted episode, Julie catches up with her friend Judy, a personal trainer, amazing mom, and Trader Joes warrior. They talk about the frontline life of essential employees, their mutual love of Trader Joes, staying healthy during quarantine, and much much more. Some practical tips and a few laughs. Enjoy!

Bonus Episode: John's IG Live Quarantine Q&A

Bonus Episode: In case you missed it, here's John's Instagram Live Parenting During Quarantine Q&A.

2:48: Opening thoughts. Why am I doing this?

 

Questions/comments - 

 

5:19: People feeling bad about feeling bad. 

So many others have it so much worse - out of work, sick, etc.

but that doesn’t mean people in general aren’t struggling with this. But then they feel bad for it. 

 

8:12: Please talk about college kids giving up their newfound independence on campus and returning home to be confined with their parents amidst uncertainty about their future, with all the accompanying stresses, anxieties and momentary temptations to throw chairs for all concerned.

 

11:18: E-learning is a struggle for my kids, and for me. It’s messy, inconsistent and disorganized. And my kids seem disconnected from it. 

 

14:24: Discuss those shelter at home situations that are not so positive, where families are not making the best of it and playing games together and having stimulating conversations, where teenage doors are shut and they are unapproachable despite all best efforts.  That happy home quarantine life is not everyone’s reality, it might be helpful to hear advice on how to navigate the not so positive situations. 

 

19:00: My 16 yo son doesn’t seem to care about any of this, and it kind of worries me. Is he repressing his feelings, or have we raised someone who has no empathy?

 

22:26: How about college seniors crushed about their remaining time on campus cancelled due to coronavirus? I'd love to be directed to useful ways I can help my daughter move through the grief. 

 

25:40: My daughter is in 5th and missing her last elementary year. Our son is so sad he may not see his current 8th grad friends again.

 

27:46: To what degree should we be planning our days, instead of letting our teenagers play video games and social media, and monitor their own bed times and wake times?

 

 30:19: Should I expect my high school son to be mastering all of his classes?

 

32:50: My 13 yo son want’s TikTok. I would never have said yes but then this happened.

 

34:55: Thoughts on a 4 yo who is scared to go outside because of Covid?

 

38:33: My daughter is an only child, 11 yo, she does FaceTime and such but what impact will this have on her socially? Any other suggestions?

 

40:43: How do I manage my own anxiety? I go to the grocery stored I come home and we disinfect everything! How do I continue to keep our family safe BUT also keep the kids safe emotionally?

 

43:16: My son says he can only make it through his boredom is he smokes pot. Should we look the other way on this throughout the quarantine?

 

45:10: Do you have thoughts on technology limits? I understand we are in a pandemic but my kids seem to get very quickly addicted to games.

 

46:15: Closing thoughts.

Helping Those In Need During Quarantine

Today we are talking to our good friend Mark Collins, who is a village trustee and oversees the food pantry in Skokie, IL. We are discussing what's in place for people who need some help, how many in need are "slipping through the cracks," and what we can do to help.

This Quarantined Life

Checking in on all things quarantine. How we are coping, why we keep spilling, and the art of over-disinfecting. Spolier alert: George and Lauren and Lucy the dog have joined us!

Coronavirus Chronicles: Flattening The Second Curve

While we're all social distancing and doing our part to flatten the curve, we wanted to talk about the second curve that's going to become of increasing importance in the coming weeks, and that's our emotional wellness. So join us in this slightly slap happy episode where we are checking in with all of you and trying to make things a bit better during this unprecedented time.

Coronavirus & A Temporary New Normal

With a nod to the fact that a few things have changed since we recorded this, here are some thoughts on navigating this very unfamiliar and anxiety-inducing time.

Zen Parenting Wrap Up

Today we are talking about our love and appreciation of the Zen Parenting Conference, the enlightening and connecting experience, and some of the lessons we learned.