When my son’s class had a positive COVID-19 case earlier this month and we were plunged into a precautionary mandatory quarantine, I found myself scrambling to create a quarantine schedule. With my husband and I both working from home, my kids homeschooling, and me being in the middle of launching Dinner in a Flash, I knew organisation was the only way we were going to get through it!
Last year, I shared a COVID-19 schedule I created during our first national lockdown. But now it’s an entirely different story because all four of us are inside (our tiny home), and both Neil (my husband), and I have to work from home.
As cases continue to climb here in Malta and other places around the world, I thought it was the perfect moment to share how I do it in case you find yourself needing to create a quarantine schedule soon.
1. Calm down
No one wants to be placed in quarantine, and it has a way of happening when you least expect it, when it’s least convenient, or sometimes both! But you really can’t make a thoughtful schedule when you’re still trying to process the news. This is especially true if the quarantine is related to someone in your own house being sick and/or you are worrying about you or your loved ones being exposed. So, give yourself some time to catch your breath and don’t try to make a plan before you’re calm.
2. Make a list
At the heart of being organised is good list-making, so write down everything that needs to be done by everyone in your house in the days to come. Remember to include typical daily routine tasks as well as anything additional that arises because of home-schooling. Don’t forget to include some free time so everyone stays sane!
3. Assign tasks
List each family member and assign tasks to everyone. These are trying times, and everyone is going to have to pitch in if you’re going to come through it with your sanity relatively intact. I don’t think kids necessarily need to have specific times allotted for chores (unless, of course, it’s something relatively time-sensitive like setting the table for dinner). However, they do need to know what they will be responsible for doing.
4. Schedule in some down time, and time to move
This is super important. We are not invincible. I am recommending a schedule not to be super productive here, but to choose the things that really matter, keep yourself busy, have something to focus on, and help you stay sane. Self-care and rest should rank high on your list no matter what.
My advice is this: pick a 20 minute slot where you get to watch some TV with the kids (this ensures you don’t do much else), and another 20 minute slot where you have a break from it all. I picked lunchtime. Neil would have his mid-day break with the kids and I’d lock myself in the bedroom and relax, read, or watch half an episode of ‘Chesapeake Shores.’ No matter what state the house was in, I stopped at these scheduled times. These little breaks helped me feel renewed.
Staying active is equally important. We honestly do not have much space here, but a lovely lady suggested I follow ‘walk at home’ videos. I did not know they were a thing. Nina enjoyed them as much as I did, so we did these together; along with a workout some days. And a quick yoga class twice a week before I went to bed.
5. Make a rough draft
There’s a reason every composition you wrote at school started with a rough draft or outline: it’s a tried-and-true way to collect your thoughts. I make a rough schedule using a sheet of paper for each member of my family. First, I place the time blocks that are simply non-negotiable. This might be the specific times for work, home-schooling, bedtime, and dinner. Then I see where I can fit in the other tasks.
6. Cull if necessary
This is not a time for heroics. The idea of having everyone at home might fill your idealistic mind with visions of you fixing elaborate breakfasts and making different baked goods with your kids every afternoon, but your reality is probably going to be different. Try not to aim too high here. If it looks like anyone has too much to realistically do, simplify it by removing things. For example, I am not doing any deep cleaning and keeping cooking to a minimum by using freezer meals. You could also order quick meals or takeout to shave some time off your schedule.
7. Try a test run
Getting the right schedule will require some trial and error. Follow it the next day and time everything, but don’t go crazy trying to stick to it. Think of it as a test run.
8. Review and arrange
Once you’ve tried out your schedule and identified any problem areas, you’ll need to return to your draft and rethink it a bit. Make some adjustments and then try again the next day!
9. Rinse and repeat
In our case, we got it right by the second try, but don’t be discouraged if it takes you a few days to figure out a schedule that works for you. You’ll get there eventually!
10. Create a schedule for the weekend
This might sound surprising, I know. I was aching for the weekend so we could have some downtime and not be stuck to a schedule. It felt freeing, and I needed that. But the moment the weekend hit and I found myself with ‘free time’, anxiety crept in. Somehow, not having a set routine was pulling me down. I did not have the energy I had during week even though I should have, because I had more time to rest, and just felt drained and unmotivated. So on the Saturday night I found myself planning the Sunday. Not that I had to stick to my schedule. but having goals made me feel so much better.
As you can see, you’ll need some patience to create a quarantine schedule that keeps everyone productive and happy. But once you find the right formula, you’ll be amazed at how much smoothly your days go!
PS: My kids were counting the days to get out of the house and go back to school, but that didn’t happen! As we were nearing the end, schools were announced closed and we switched to online learning. So yes, I had to come up with another routine. I’ll be working on sharing this specific routine in an upcoming blog post. I hope it will help you create your own!
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