I would be the greatest mother and the calmest homemaker ever

Applicable Ways to Organize the Freeway That Is Home

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oving day! We’d been waiting three years, dreaming and waiting, wishing and waiting more, until the day finally arrived. And I knew that once in “The House,” every day, while the kids were in school, I’d have work to do. I would take the time to lovingly wipe down my moldings, gladly shine my tiles on hands and knees, and happily cook gourmet meals. I would be the greatest mother and the calmest homemaker ever.

Two days later, COVID-19 hit with an abruptness that left us spinning. Work closed, clients canceled, and schools shut down. My kids were (and still are!) in the house, all day, every day. No more time to wipe down moldings (I’m too busy throwing out plastic cups) or to shine those aforementioned tiles. And overnight, I’m not quite sure I’m the calmest homemaker after all.

With a range of ages and stages at home, coupled with the necessity to make do with whatever we have easily accessible, we need some creativity in dealing with some Common COVID Complexities. My empty, quiet house may be gone for now, but there’s a new goal. A simplifized home.

The Paper Trail

Literally. A trail of paper that starts at the kitchen table, flows to the dining room, and makes its way under the bed. A Zoom call is about to begin and no one can find the homework (isn’t it all homework these days?). The amount of paper can be overwhelming and desk space is at a premium, with glue and pencils and graph paper and seforim littering the surface.

Ben Franklin said it best: “A place for everything and everything in its place.” We need “a place” for the children to do their work and a place for their myriad of supplies. Just as a child has his own desk in school, in COVID times too they should have their specific kitchen chair, or desk spot, or even closet alcove. My daughter created a work cubicle for herself in our unfinished attic by stacking storage boxes for walls, and using a folding table and Shabbos lamp to complete the space.