What Are You Favorite Documentaries for Kids?

It was in 2017 when I learned how to wash my hands the proper way by a nurse working on the floor of Oak’s hospital room after his Open Heart Surgery. I was reminded that Flu shots matter and that kids are carriers. For a month after, I learned how to be alone, and to bleach and sanitize everything from A, who had already saw her son through cancer. I knew how to not let anyone in, and let everyone in at the same. I found that walking was good, and if possible, grabbing coffee and sitting outside at the cafe did wonders. I stood in the back pew of the church crying, asking for it to be over already. And before I knew it, one day became 30 days, and folks barely knew we were social distancing. We had to remind them that Oak couldn’t be held certain ways, and maybe he’d need time to adjust. As did I. As does everyone after a brief and bumpy road.

For the first time, we’re closer than ever. Though, far apart. Like many of you, our family is practicing social distancing. Schools in New York are closed, cafés have set hours, restaurants are only able to serve take-out, and of course, night clubs, museums, libraries and many businesses are shuttering temporarily. For NYC Public School students (the largest public school sytem in the nation), school is officially out until April 20th (they have spring break the week before the 20th). We support our city’s effort to protect the most vulnerable. We equally feel the pain that this has on families that live below the poverty line and still have to go to work, lose wages, jobs and all the healthcare workers on the frontlines battling this.

For now, we are staying close to home, and spending time outside in small spurts together. In my opinion, there’s no better season to social distance. The trees are turning, the grass deepens in color and texture.

As we speak, the kids are having reading time (Oak is using a app his teacher already had them using before the closures) for an hour before documentary time (The Pieces I Am). Instead of trying to squeeze in a bunch of education within hours (NYC Public Schools are not yet set up with the capacity), I’m going to give myself a few hours or so of work while the kids watch a documentary (each day) after outside time and reading time. Each week, we are sticking to these themes:

+ Women In History

+ Space

+ Climate Change (Food, weather, endagered animals etc)

+ Social Justice

While I know that their school plans to get some virtual education running soon, I’m sure it won’t be enough to fill their days. And I’m excited for them to look into the world of others, while we undergo such a radical test in empathy. I’ll be sharing my day to day on instagram stories, and will likely do a few video diaries as well.

As for me and this blog and this buisness, a friend said it best, “If there’s ever a time to be an influencer, it is now.” I’m hoping you find this space one to return to during these days and nights. I’ll be happy to return to it too.

If you have a list of any docu mentaries you recomend please share for the group!

P.S this list seems to be good.

Sending love and care as we all navigate this time.