
Distance learning is not something any of us were prepared for. It’s not even a term in our vocabulary in February this year. When it was announced that our county would be “distance learning” until further notice, my first instinct was to panic.
I had very little time in my day, and including three kids with three very different curriculums terrified me, as I’m sure many working parents did.
While distance learning isn’t technically homeschool because we aren’t making the lesson plans (thank goodness for our teachers), we are still responsible for making sure our kids do the work their teachers are assigning them, make sure they attend the live video meetings, and maybe most importantly, make sure they have the tools they need to succeed.
Initially, we had prepared for a few weeks, which turned into a month, and then the rest of the school year (maybe a month into the following year). We were lucky to have two laptops in the house for the girls to use and received a loaner from the school for our youngest, so everyone had access to their devices.
Of course, with three girls, in three different grades listening to teacher-assigned videos and having class meetings regularly, we needed to make sure they could concentrate and not be distracted by the noises around them.
So when I was making a list of our must-haves, at the top of my list was noise-canceling headphones. I researched several brands, asked around, and was told that Puro Sound Labs was the best!
They are volume-limiting active noise-canceling headphones, and they protect their ears. They have a long battery life (16-22 hours) and can connect via Bluetooth. They also have a 30-day money-back guarantee and a one-year warranty.
The girls love them and even use them outside the school with their phones and tablets.
Next on my list, because I wanted the girls to be able to do their school work anywhere they felt comfortable, both inside or outside, was a lap desk. Lap desks are great for so many reasons.
I love that they create an instant desk, no matter where you are. So when the girls decide it’s a treehouse school day, they grab their lap desks from LapGear® and head out.
While there are so many great ones on the market, LapGear® offers a vast variety for all ages (I use one too) and offers some of the cutest lap desks for kids! Falynn’s MyMonster lap desk is the CUTEST, and the cushion design creates a stable work surface and keeps her little legs cool.
When the girls left school in mid-March, they thought they would be back, so they left all their school supplies behind. I wanted to ensure their transition to distance learning was more accessible by providing them with similar supplies.
Yoobi has been their favorite brand for years! You have probably seen their notebooks, pens, markers, pencil cases, scissors (and so much more) in Target. They are the brightly colored, super fun school supplies that kids (and Moms) love.
But you may not know that for every Yoobi item purchased; they will donate a school supply item to a child in need right here in the U.S. It’s just one more reason to love and support the brand!
Finally, I created a unique space and accessible storage for each girl and personalized them with our Cricut Joy. You can learn all about that fun project by checking out how we transformed our home school space at home with Cricut Joy.
How is your family adjusting to distance learning? Are there specific products that have made things easier on you? Comment below and let us know! We love to hear from our readers!
*This post was sponsored by Puro Sound Labs, LapGear®, and Yoobi. We were provided the product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are our own. This post also contains affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and purchase something, we may receive a small commission. As always, our family appreciates your support!














These are such great ideas! I am sending this article to my sister for my niece! I want to make sure she stays entertained and know that learning can be fun.
A lapdesk sounds amazing! I love that your kids have more flexibility on where they do their school work. I would have loved to do my school work outside when I was a kid!
I think I’m fortunate not to have school-aged children to look after in the house, although I have done teaching in a previous role. It can certainly seem daunting and even my brother (who does have school-age kids) is busy doing what he can (and he is a teacher by profession, but for senior grades). I think how you have planned it all is great as it is obviously working and the addition of the equipment will no doubt be a good help for your kids to concentrate and achieve during these pandemic restrictions.
I love the lap desks! They totally remind me of my childhood. With 4 kids at home now, the noise canceling headphones are a must!
These products all sound great for parents suddenly homeschooling. I especially like the idea of having separate, labeled storage bins for each of your girls.
Distance learning has definitely been an adjustment for us. I’ve got two little ones (Kindergarten and 3yr preschool) so learning is very hands-on with them. I need to be with my kindergartener to make sure he is doing what he’s supposed to. We haven’t heard much about next year but we’re hoping they can return to school right away in September.
I love all the ideas you did! We made a little homeschool area for the kids in our office but then found out it works better to use Mom’s computer seems I am right there with them 🙂 Now it’s more of a crafty space for all of our recently acquired craft items.
These are all some great ideas! Distance learning hasnt been easy for anyone, and this will help a lot. 🙂
I love those lap desks, I need to order those!! You made me really excited about my new Cricuit too!!
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They have so many fun ones for the kids! And I have one for myself too with a comfy place for my wrists to rest! Can’t wait to see what you create with your Cricut!
I love how you make sure to identify this as distance learning. Homeschooling is getting out into the world- and we’re definitely doing anything but that lately! I love all your tips!
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I’ve heard so many people call it homeschooling, but it’s definitely not that. We are lucky to have the teachers to do all of the hard work for us. We are just here as the teacher’s helpers 🙂