
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!














This is a fab post, I love that you are planning learning at a distance, as it is still important x
You are so organized and such a good planner! Also, I couldn’t agree more with the lap desk. It’s actually something I’ve been wanting to get myself, too!
It must have been a strange time for the students and as far as I think we have found a way to study and not be left behind is particularly limiting. In this period of life contact and socialization are necessary.
while I complete my Master Degree through distance learning (part of the classes are on campus, but a lot of the teaching is done virtually), somehow it’s quite odd to imagine that now even kids are doing the same to complete their education. Thanks for the tips and insights and will take note as well.
I only have my son at home and he’s in high school. He could really use a lap desk. He prefers to do his work in his room and doesn’t have a desk.
I was not aware of the program that yoobi has for donating to Americans in need. That makes me want to buy more! And I love cricut!!!! Great job, Mama!
How timely that I read this post! My grandson will be starting school again in August, and their school administration has decided on setting up virtual classrooms instead. These tips you shared are very helpful. I will send the link to my daughter so she can prepare her son for this whole new normal thing.