It’s Day 8 now. We’ve been in centralized quarantine in Shanghai for a full week and I’m ready to share some insights we’ve gleaned from this trying time where we’ve had plenty of meltdowns (from adults too), lots of confusion, some fun, and precious few rewarding moments.

You can find very helpful packing lists for centralized quarantine with a quick online search. Sadly, I didn’t remember to follow those lists in preparation, but we made do with what we had! The following items were indispensable to our daily quarantine lives:

The spork save lives!

1. Travel cutlery and mugs: Since they only supply adult-sized chopsticks, the spoon and fork (or spork!) is crucial for little ones. The knife was also especially useful in cutting fruits like mangoes, which we were lucky to get. Our YETI mugs also kept our tea hot, and let us store leftover canned food in the mini fridge which we were also lucky to have.

2. Cleaning cloth / antibacterial wipes: There’s absolutely no housekeeping services and I only managed to beg for a loan of a vacuum cleaner for a couple hours once. So we have been mopping by hand with a micro fibre cloth we had gotten free from a car wash during the vacation. What’s gross is I’m still finding hair that doesn’t belong to any of us every single time.

Even with daily cleaning…

3. Snacks, canned food, and freeze-dried food: Beefaroni and granola bars saved the kid’s stomach on the many occasions when the supplied meal was unacceptable to young palates. A special treat, like a piece of chocolate every day, can also help lift spirits. We even brought cans of tuna, but we forgot to bring a can opener, so that should totally go on the list! (Or get those cans that open without one.)

Always baos for breakfast…

Insert special mention about waimai, because I promised to share everything I learned: At our hotel, we failed to convince the staff to let us order waimai, even with the possibility of the kid going hungry and starving (yes I did threaten that might happen). However, a mom at another centralized quarantine facility in Beijing told us that she was allowed to receive foodstuffs via kuaidi as long as they were packed inside clear containers.

The kid’s corner…

4. Games and toys: A Ziploc bag of K’NEX (Oh Ziploc bags are super useful!), NERF football, Battleship, Yahtzee, puzzles, and we totally should have brought a deck of cards! Also crafts and drawing pads or just a notepad for creative scribbling.

5. Enough clothes to avoid laundry, or laundry soap: Trust me, washing underwear worn by an active kid in summer with hand soap just doesn’t cut it. Bring a small thing of detergent. Quarantine hack: Dri-FIT clothing or swimwear dries faster and doesn’t smell as bad as cotton clothes! Oh, and use hangers to dry the clothes!

Now that you know what to pack, here’s a family-friendly routine that worked for us to survive centralized quarantine with our 7-year-old.

Cosmic Kids yoga in the morning

7.30am Morning Stretches

8am Breakfast (Fruits first!)

9am Parents work online/kid gets unstructured playtime (K’NEX and books play a big part here)

10am Snack + family game

11am Back to work/kid studies (Online classes like BrainPOP Jr. or a grade-appropriate workbook)

12pm Lunch

1pm Reading

1.30pm Reading discussion

2pm Parents work/kid studies

3pm Device time (We are Nintendo fans so the Switch is our choice)

4pm Game/activity time (Can you say NERF football? And sometimes we clean or do laundry.)

5.30pm Shower

6pm Dinner

7pm Family movie!

8.30pm Wind down and sleep by 9pm!

Want to see this routine in action? Check out the video below for our typical day in centralized quarantine!

Tonya Ramsburg, who was in quarantine at the same time as us, had the fantastic idea to do themed days – from Star Wars to 4th of July to Christmas (in August no less!) – where the family did crafts and even dressed around the theme (i.e. red, white and blue PJs). They also prepared a new and exciting activity for each day, such as tie-dye, scrapbooking, water beads, diamond painting, science kits and more. FYI, her family also packed two camping stoves and enough food for a small army. After all, it was their second time going through this centralized quarantine process, so they knew what they were in for.

Tie dye fun in quarantine!

Watch out for my final article once we are released from quarantine, to find out what exactly happens in that process!

KEEP READING: A True Quarantine Story in 2022: What It’s Really Like

Images: Vivienne Tseng-Rush, Tonya Ramsburg

I was busy cleaning my kitchen after cooking today and reflecting on how for many parents the kitchen is the hub of the home, so I thought to share with you a few simple mom-dad hacks and must-haves for your kitchen. These I hope will contribute to helping you keep your sanity and save time in the midst of your busy days!

Have your kids help you with simple tasks in the kitchen

I can’t utilize this one just yet, because Lux is so young. However those of you with older children, this one’s for you. This is a great way to teach your kids responsibility and also the importance of contributing to the household chores. Invite your kids to come and help you out in the kitchen. Try not to make it a bore, and use it as an opportunity to have a conversation while you prepare dinner and ask for simple tasks to be completed, such as setting the table or folding tea towels away in drawers. Time will be saved as you have helpers and this doubles up as a bonding experience – you might be surprised how much information can be divulged during these moments. If you happen to have both a son and a daughter, try including both kids when asking for help in the kitchen. This will teach your kids that domestic labor should be split between everyone and is not gender-specific!

Use simple and natural products that are safe for the family

By now I think it’s clear that I’m a fan of natural and waste-free products for the family and home. Using simply baking soda and natural dish soap you can clean chrome, porcelain sink basins, oven tops, and stoves. You can add your favorite natural essential oil to the mix to have your home smelling sweet like lavender, or like a summer’s day, with lemon. Alternatively, you can use any white or dark vinegar and lemon juice for most hard duty jobs in and around the kitchen. Clean safely and with less stress knowing that your kitchen is phosphate- and chlorine-free. It’s great to know that you can leave your kitchen knowing that the family hub is without harsh chemical residue.

Create your own functional and stylish pantry display

Over the past few weeks I have been collecting glass jars. You’ll be amazed how many of these we go through. Pesto jars, jam jars, olive jars, the list truly does go on. When you clean these thoroughly and scrub off labels, you’re left with really cute little jars that can be put to use in a number of ways. You can store craft supplies, scrap materials and buttons, or pantry items! I love a good pantry room, but let’s face it; most of us unfortunately do not have access to one of these, living in Beijing. One hack for the pantry-less is an open display for produce, snacks, and baking supplies. You can use shelves or counters in your kitchen. Place fresh fruit in a bowl, or fill baskets with kids’ snacks and glass jars with baking items in a chic and stylish way. Trust me, the results are so cute.

Invest in a slow cooker

Now we already know the importance of owning a rice cooker here, especially if you have an ayi, who in my case would probably say it is her best friend in the kitchen. However one-pot dinners are lifesavers and one of the simplest but most efficient hacks for busy families. You can throw a bunch of ingredients into a slow cooker early in the morning, forget about it all day, and then have a slap up meal ready for everyone by the time you get home. Winning! You can also use this item to prep ahead and freeze meals, which can be thawed and warmed through in the slow cooker too. You’re very welcome.

What mom-dad hacks do you swear by for your family?

Photos: Pixabay

We moms, we do it all. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or a working mom, your job is never done and it’s completely safe to say that our job is a 24/7 one!

For mommies who would like to carve out some extra time to hang out with the kids, enjoy self-care time, or even cook with a glass of wine in your hand rather than a milk bottle and a baby on your hip, these productivity tips will help you not only work better and get more things done, but also live the mantra of the day – work hard and play even harder.

Learn to say “no”

I find this incredibly difficult and feel like if I’m not doing a thousand and one things than I’m not being the modern woman of today, who can exude and demonstrate almighty physical and mental capabilities to do it all and then some. This one is at the top of the list because that’s exactly where it belongs. It should be a priority for busy moms and dads. Your family comes first.

Saying no applies to a number of situations. This month alone, I have been invited out at least twice a week to socialize and several other times to join my husband on account of his own personal invitations. Social obligations, invitations, to extra time-consuming, and on occasion, soul-sucking projects calls for you to set clear boundaries. The husband or partner needs your attention, along with the kids, work, friends, family, and then usually your needs get left at the bottom of the pile.

Don’t feel obligated to say yes – say no and carve out some time and space for yourself. You’ll be surprised how much time you’ll free up.

Give your 100 percent focus

Moms (and dads) are painfully familiar with the need to multitask when you have a family. However, in order to get the most out of the time you spend on the plethora of items on your to-do list, learn to give 100 percent focus to whatever task you’re completing. This means that the likelihood of you having to return to unfinished tasks decreases, the quality of your commitment means that you churn out awesome results, and if dedicating time to kid and partner-focused activities, your family will feel that you are both mentally and physically present.

Do the hardest thing first

Don’t procrastinate. I used to be the champion of procrastination. Over the course of the past few years I’ve really been working on this and realize that the idea of addressing an incomplete task is a lot more overwhelming than the actual process of just doing it. Once you get started you’ll be amazed how easily and quickly you will be able to tick off items on your get-done list, especially when you apply the 100 percent rule above. Do the hardest thing on your list first and be amazed by how easy it can be and enjoy no longer having to face it.

Use countdown timers

This is one of my favorite hacks for being more productive, although admittedly I have failed to remain consistent with it (something else to add to my own personal productivity list), but much like we encourage kids to complete tasks by turning them into a game, we can do the same and speed up the process of getting things done! Boost your everyday productivity by keep track of your time, when cleaning the house, returning emails, writing that draft, or prepping that meal.

Prep Meals

Speaking of prepping meals, feeding the family with delicious and wholesome meals can take time. Prepping and pre-cooking meals for the entire week will help save at least half of that time. First thing to tackle is a weekly meal plan. I sat down with hubby and selected five of our favorite meals that are easy to shop ingredients for, and easy to prep. Make your weekly plan fun by incorporating weekly themes, such as Taco Tuesdays, Fajita Fridays, or Three-bean Thursdays. Prepare as much as possible and rope in the Ayi if you happen to have one. Cooking and freezing broths and grains, slicing and portioning veggies, searing meats, etc., can all help with productivity during the week and involves simply dishing out, heating up, and enjoying.

Finally. Let it go

No, I’m not quoting Disney’s Frozen– but the soundtrack instantly came to mind. Learn to let go. Allow me to draw upon the mantra given to when me when I was growing up: accept the things you cannot change, the courage to change the things you can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Stress less over the little details and think about the bigger picture – this is particularly a necessity for expats living in China who are acclimatizing to a new culture and way of life. There’s no such thing as perfection. Be imperfectly perfect and be you.

Photos: courtesy of Pixabay

When I was pregnant I had a number of questions, most of which centered about the topic of baby’s sleep. Sleepless nights are to be expected when expecting and when a newborn arrives in the home. However there are definitely tried and tested practices that new mothers can put in place in order to soothe baby to sleep faster and extend sleep time for both mommy and baby.

Neglecting sleep cues

Newborn babies cry to communicate a need. When my little one first arrived, I would run havoc anticipating and figuring out what his every need was. Babies often provide different signals that can let mommy and daddy know that they need feeding, changing, and of course when they need to sleep. For a tired baby, signals for sleep can vary from sucking on fingers, to rubbing eyes, and yawing. Observe your baby and get familiar with their particular cue for sleep.

Remember that keeping a baby awake during the day in order that they get a better night sleep is a myth. Naps are extremely important for baby’s development and keep them from stints of overtiredness, making it easier for them to settle on an evening.

Not having a sleep routine

This one is for the little ones and us! Having a sleep routine winds the body down and prepares it for deep slumber. This one I was pretty good at putting into practice, but not so much for myself. I would start baby’s bedtime routine, with a warm bath, a warm bottle, a classical or jazz playlist (courtesy of Alexa and her baby sleep time playlists), and some white noise in the bedroom once the music is turned off.

Doing something similar on a regular basis sets your baby’s internal clock, helping them to fall asleep much easier. Try not to let baby fall asleep before all of these activities are done. Encourage baby to form the habit of sleeping asleep on their own by sitting him down in the crib, or if you’re co-sleeping, in the bed, just as he becomes drowsy. My personal tip is to buy a diffuser and use essential oils like lavender to help soothe baby and associate sleep time with particular fragrances, which also have holistic benefits for baby’s mind and body.

Turning the crib into a playroom

We are always told not to eat where we work and if like me, you often work from home, the golden rule is to separate your workspace from your leisure or rest areas; the same goes for babies for better play and sleep association. Try not to do other activities such as play in areas where your baby should sleep. The crib should be void of toys and other stimuli that will keep baby occupied with other than sleep. Consistency is key and don’t forget to turn off the TV; the flashing lights, color, and noise is a distraction for you and baby.

While my mom was staying with my family to help with my little one while he was a newborn, she would constantly remind me not to tiptoe around, once baby was asleep. Your baby is perfectly equipped to become familiar with the usual sounds at home and sleep right through them. I go in and out my baby’s sleeping area with ease while he sleeps and continue the evening as normal.

Relying on sleep crutches

I am still trying to get to grips with doing better when it comes to depending on a number of sleep crutches. Mine happens to rocking and used to be combined with nursing.  Other objects like pacifier, bottled milk, or stuffed animals can also become crutches dressed up as hacks. It’s no good in the long run because they cultivate a habit of dependency.

Try and phase out these sleep crutches and replace them with sleep associations like the ones I mentioned above. Set the tone and ambiance for your baby’s sleep environment – darken the room, play music or white noise, diffuse essential oils, and even thumb sucking can help baby, even when awoke during the middle of the night, to sleep on his own. This will help baby and you have a good night’s sleep. Here’s to pleasant dreams and sound sleep for mommies and daddies!

Photos: Pixabay