Weekly Recap #150: Week of 4/5 – 4/11

 

It’s time for another weekly recap post of all things happening on and off the blog. This week I’ll be linking to the Sunday Post, which is hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

So we are all slowly but surely adjusting to our new normal.  Trying to balance my own work-from-home routine with my son’s new distance learning routine has proven challenging at times but we’re making it work.  The biggest challenge has been trying to get him to actually do the work. He’ll sign in online for the class meetings without any trouble, but he doesn’t then actually want to do anything.  He is fast losing motivation since the principal has stated that final grades have already been calculated so nothing they are currently doing is actually being graded. It’s simply to try to at least cover the material they hadn’t gotten to yet and review what they had already done since there won’t be final exams.  I’m picking and choosing my battles on this and making him at least keep up with his core subjects like Algebra, Science, Civics, and English.

His soccer coaches are also trying to have lessons online, which has been interesting too.  They record skills and routines on YouTube and the kids are supposed to watch the videos and then try to do everything that’s in the video a few times a week.  Also a challenge since my son seems to prefer being in couch potato mode these days.  They’re going to try Skype team meetings this coming week so hopefully actually hearing from his coach will motivate him better than I am.

In other news, I did end up ordering myself a standing desk.  My husband and I put it together last night and I’m actually standing at it right now as I type this post and love it.  I’m glad I also purchased an anti-fatigue mat since I can tell all of the standing is going to take some getting used to, but I’m still very excited, especially since my governor’s stay-at-home order currently runs through June 10th and my company’s CEO mentioned this past week that he could easily see us working from home until Labor Day.

I got a decent amount of reading done this week in spite of having to ride herd on my son all day, everyday.  I got a couple of my ARCs read and will be reviewing those tomorrow.  I also started one of my anticipated reads, Shorefall, which I’m loving so far.  I then got sidetracked by the sudden need to wrap up another of my lingering series so I read Holly Black’s The Queen of Nothing.  That ended up being a much shorter read than I was expecting, but nonetheless a very satisfying series finale.  I’m back to Shorefall now and plan to continue with my ARCs unless the mood reading monster strikes again.

I hope everyone out there is staying safe, healthy, and is practicing social distancing.  Happy Easter to those who are celebrating!  Take care!

 

WHAT I POSTED LAST WEEK

 

 

WHAT I’M READING THIS WEEK

 

 
 
  
    
 

 UPCOMING REVIEWS

 

  
 
 

 STACKING THE SHELVES

 

           
 

TOTALLY RANDOM

 

35 replies
  1. Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy
    Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy says:

    Our school district has done the same thing with grades, and I imagine it must be incredibly hard for kids to have any motivation to keep studying and learning. I’m hoping to start Shorefall today. I’m finishing up The Ancestor which is turning out to be much crazier than I expected! Have a good week, Suzanne!

    • Suzanne
      Suzanne says:

      I hope you’re enjoying Shorefall. So far I’m enjoying it even more than I did Foundryside, which is great. I was worried about it suffering from middle book syndrome.

  2. Angela
    Angela says:

    Happy Easter, Suzanne! Yes, I can see how it would be difficult for your son, or any student, to stay motivated and actually want to do the work knowing it won’t even count for anything! I think now is a weird, confusing time for all of us – I know there are days when I don’t want to do anything, either.

  3. Sam@wlabb
    Sam@wlabb says:

    That’s a tough situation with the homeschooling. That age group definitely needs some motivation to keep doing the work. I guess you can remind your son, that the teachers NEXT school year will expect him to be proficient in the material. A lot of my co-workers have the convertible desks at work, but one guy does stand all day, and he says the mat is key for that. Hope it makes working at home a bit easier.

  4. Sophie
    Sophie says:

    A standing desk must be really useful! My behind is aching for sitting all the time working from home LOL And yes I often think of parents of young kids as keeping them motivated to study must be really hard! Stay safe and still have a good week Suzanne!

  5. Vi @Inkvotary
    Vi @Inkvotary says:

    Ah yes, the kids and home schooling *smile* You are not alone with this. Some of my neighbors told me kind of the same thing happening with their kids during the first two weeks of home schooling. Now the kids are on Easter vacation and things are a bit more relaxed. The entire nation is waiting for the news we hopefully will get next Wednesday. On that day the government will decide whether we remain in lockdown or lift it step by step. Happy reading and hang in there!

  6. Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer
    Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer says:

    I am adjusting to everyone working from home and eating all of their meals here! LOL Usually I am the only one who works at home. I imagine a lot of peeps will work from home through the summer. Be safe and enjoy your new desk.

  7. Nicci @ Sunny Buzzy Books
    Nicci @ Sunny Buzzy Books says:

    We have standing desks at work and I love them. I miss them WFH.
    Definitely choose your battles on the home schooling front… I’m with you on that. Somethings aren’t worth the agro whereas other things are. We’re on “Easter Break” so his teachers aren’t uploading anything at the moment though.

    The Queen of Nothing is one of the many books I started reading this week. I’m just struggling to sink into anything even though I’m enjoying the many books I’ve started pecking away at.

  8. Anne - Books of My Heart
    Anne - Books of My Heart says:

    I’m so glad you were able to get the standing desk and smart to get the comfort foot padding. I think it’s harder for your son – and me- without so much structure or routine. The feeling of uncertainty makes me feel not motivated to do much, although I’m still reading, but moody reading. My daughter is more the same as usual with her classes online Robin will be reviewing Shorefall in about a week.

    Have a healthy, safe week! Happy Easter!

    Anne – Books of My Heart Here is my Sunday Post   

  9. sjhigbee
    sjhigbee says:

    Urg! I feel your pain regarding trying to motivate your son, given he’s now aware that his grades won’t make any different. I understand what they are trying to do – but the way it’s being handled means most children can’t see the point. I think a lot of children are also very stressed by the current situation and retreating is also a strategy. I think you are wise to pick your battles. Best of luck and have a peaceful, healthy week, Suzanne.

    • Suzanne
      Suzanne says:

      Yes, I think many of them don’t see the point and even based on what my son’s friends are saying, many parents don’t see the point either so they aren’t doing anything. It’s definitely an uphill battle.

  10. Literary Feline
    Literary Feline says:

    I am in a similar boat with my daughter. She started out motivated–I think it was the novelty, but now that the distance learning is about to start, she does not want to do the work. I don’t know if any of the work the students do from here until the end of the year counts. I know the teacher is still expecting her to complete her presentation which is due at the end of the month. It’s the same with dance. She just isn’t motivated right now. Like you, I am finding it a real juggle to keep up with the schooling and work all at the same time. All we can do is the best we can, right?

    I am glad the standing desk is working well for you. That is great that you can do that. My manager said we would be re-visiting our current schedules and I may be able to drop down to one day a week in the office instead of half the week.

    I hope you enjoy your current reads! I really want to read The Year of the Witching and Party of Two. I am not familiar with Serpent and Dove, but I love that cover.

    Have a good week, Suzanne. Hang in there. Stay safe and well.

    • Suzanne
      Suzanne says:

      That’s the way my son is too. At first he thought it was cool, but as soon as the novelty wore off, it’s like pulling teeth to get him to complete any assignment. He just wants to lay around and play xbox all day.

  11. Greg
    Greg says:

    Distance learning can be tough from a motivation standpoint, I think. I have two kids and their online class stuff is supposed to start tomorrow, so hopefully it will go well. They love learning but both of them seem a little jaded about the online stuff lol- I don’t know if it’s just the usual high school snark or what! Course they’ve been off now for a few weeks so I guess it’s natural they’re not super enthused about starting back up…

    Anyway hope yours goes well! Your CEO seems forward- thinking which is nice, since I know not all company heads are being so intelligent. I know someone who is considered essential (transportation) but their company is telling them that anyone who takes time off will be considered to have resigned. Not sure how they can even do that considering if someone gets sick or has a sick family member they’re obviously not supposed to go to work and spread it! I think they’re just trying to intimidate the workers but it’s bizarre…

    Happy Easter!!!

    • Suzanne
      Suzanne says:

      Yeah, I have to say my company’s CEO has really impressed me. He thankfully hasn’t tried to pull any of the shady things I’ve heard other companies doing and seems genuinely committed to doing everything possible to bring us all through this.

  12. Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out
    Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out says:

    My 14yo boy is also difficult to motivate knowing the work doesn’t count as such, I just keep telling him it will when school restarts since we have just finished first term (because our school year runs Jan-Dec), and also I threaten him occasionally with no gaming/tv. 🤷🏻‍♀️

    I need an anti fatigue mat for the kitchen!

    Wishing you a great reading week, and good health.

  13. Lindy@ A Bookish Escape
    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape says:

    Happy Easter! I loved The Queen of Nothing, and am such a mood reader too Suzanne! It’s been a challenge trying to do distance learning and virtual therapy with my daughter as well, and I’m finding I don’t have much time for myself these days, so I know the challenges. Congrats on all of the new books you got for your shelf 🙂

  14. Mary
    Mary says:

    Is this the Shorefall sequel to Foundryside? That’s, like, next on my reading obsession list as of right now. Also, really hope this doesn’t stretch to Labor Day–crossing everything. Happy week, and stay healthy!

  15. Tanya @ Girl Plus Books
    Tanya @ Girl Plus Books says:

    I truly do not envy parents who are dealing with online learning right now. Or just balancing working from home with kids being at home in general. I can’t imagine the challenges. On the flipside, the new standing desk sounds awesome! Wow, your WFH order goes a lot further out than ours. I’d like to see if extended by quite a bit since it’s only through April 30. I can totally see our idiot governor lifting it then and pretending everything is back to normal. Gah! Beach Read is already on my TBR so I’ll be interested to read your thoughts on that one.

  16. Ali @ Our Book Boyfriends
    Ali @ Our Book Boyfriends says:

    I hope the new desk turns out to be a great investment. I’m sure standing all day if you’re used to sitting at a desk can be an adjustment, but it’s certainly a healthier way to work. Hope your son finds some motivation. Motivation seems to be a struggle for so many of us right now!

  17. Olivia Roach
    Olivia Roach says:

    I feel like a new normal is something we are all adapting to! I see how predetermined grades would definitely not be too motivating for schoolwork… I hope your son is able to find his motivation soon, especially for football training. It must be good to get up and moving when indoors all the time. And I also really like the sound of a standing desk. Smart idea!

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