Pandemic Parenting
- Sarah Sawicki
- Friday, March 20
Raising teens is hard enough without social distancing and impending coronavirus. Richland Library's got a few resources to help us all get through.
From my social media feed, I can see I’m not the only one struggling with this new normal. Many of my colleagues have little ones at home, so keeping them going on their school work and occupied while we’re trying to do our own work is extreme parenting worthy of ESPN2 – or at least The Ocho. But keeping teens working, physically active and mentally healthy is a whole nother story. Here are some library and non-library resources to get us through.
First, if your child attends Richland 1 or Richland 2 School Districts, they have access to a free library card using either their student ID or a card they would have received at school. Here are some details. If it’s been a minute since your brood graced the doors of the library for storytime and maybe your library membership has lapsed, have no fear. Anyone in Richland County can get a library card online immediately and take advantage of all the library’s online resources. Like these:
What, you can’t help your kid with AP Physics??? No, neither can I. The Princeton Review’s Tutor.com is a great resource, free from your library. From calculus to research papers, these smart folks have you covered.
I know the SAT in May is cancelled, but maybe now we have some more time to prepare. Learning Express has interactive study materials and practice tests.
These and many, many more resources are available on our website, accessible with your library card. And if you aren’t sure where to start, you can Ask Us.
Did you know South Carolina has a State Library? No? The physical building is right on Senate Street, but of course, they’re closed now, too. The State Library provides even more databases for research, and there’s no card required.
Be sure your teen is taking breaks periodically. Have them listen to a podcast while walking the dog. Get some Vitamin D while you get some Vitamin C by picking strawberries at Cottle Farms (they’ll say they hate it, but make them go anyway).
Finally, after a long week of home schooling, home working and home living, turn to CreativeBug to find a craft or a recipe you can all do together. Or better yet, literally DIY while you’re locked in your room with a glass of wine, because teen parenting is hard enough without a pandemic.
