How can we socialize today? This is so engrained in our everyday life. During this pandemic we need to find meaningful ways to connect with each other. I am connecting with my students every day on YouTube and email, and I am also having a great time with friends.
Cyber Dinners.
We live far away from good friends, Wisconsin and Massachusetts to be exact.
To keep in touch and get together, we do ‘Cyber Dinners’ on FaceTime.
It’s easy! We log on to FaceTime at 6:00 PM. Wine, beer and conversation carry on throughout the dinner. Oh, the conversation! Three hours fly by. We logged off feeling good, very good.
I smile as I type those words.
Who do you miss? Is it your brother and his family, or your parents? Is it good friends nearby, or your adult children? Is it far away friends or a co-worker?
Stay connected.
Now is a good time.
Have a cyber dinner with friends and family.
Everyone feels good.
So, get the ball (cyber dinner) rolling.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
What an excellent idea!!!
I hope this helps people get out there and cyber socialize. Thanks, Opher.
Incredible idea!
Thank you!
My pleasure, Jennie!
Brilliant idea, Jennie! Trust you…! Must get cracking on the menu. How about garlic prawns to start, a mild Thai curry chicken with rice for main and a fresh raspberry roulade with clotted cream – washed down by fine wine and coffee, of course. Salud! Please don’t be late…xx
I love it! I’ll bring the wine and dessert. 😀 When I have a cyber dinner, we always oogle over what each of us is eating. Last week’s cyber dinners were with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin friends. This week’s is North Carolina friends. For people who are quarantined, this works for anyone, even those they’re used to seeing all the time. Thank you, Joy. Don’t be late for dinner. 😀
Lovely idea, Jennie!!
Thank you, Ritu!! Are you still at school with a skeleton group?
At school with deimdling numbers of kids and staff. I just did the morning today.
Will be at home tomorrow. Xx
Good! Our news this morning says your Prime Minister just announced a mandatory shutdown.
That is for everyone else. Key workers still need to go in, therefore we still need to be available for care. Non essential businesses and shops have to shut…
I see. We allowed a few daycare places to remain open in order for nurses and key workers to be able to go to work, too. It’s important. How are the children handling this?
So far it’s all play for the one’s that are in school. At home my two are doing their home learning, trying not to dusturb daddy too much while he’s on calls and we are going for evening walks for fresh air and exercise.
How are you? Xx
It sounds like you are organized, ready, and calm. It’s hard to handle a big change at work and also at home. Bravo! Way to go, Ritu. I am fine. The drastic change to teach online in a way that connects with children and families is a huge shift. I’m uploading videos and emailing families and children 24/7. It is wonderful!! Yet, I’m not sure I could do all this if I had children at home. So, all is well. If you have to teach online, I can help. 😍
We aren’t allowed direct contact with our families, though that was what I wanted. Our school policy… One parent who I know know messaged me today saying her daughter missed me. I was in bits 😭
That is so sad! We started asking families to send photos for everyone at school to see online (through our classroom group email), then we began emailing the children when they sent a photo. That has been wonderful. Between that and the videos, it is working. Maybe some ideas for you. 🙂
I’ve suggested it… Came up with a brick wall!
Oh, no!!! You must be pulling your hair out… 💔
It’s hard for many reasons….
Yes, it is. 😢
As of yesterday, all schools in the state are now closed till May 4th. Yikes!
Wow! Long term!
I know!! 😥
haahaha. What a great idea! People will become resourceful.
Thank you, Pam. Yes, people will. 🙂
Awesome idea! Thank you for sharing this, Jennie! ❤️
Thank you, Tanya. Stay well. ❤️
I hope you don’t mind that I reblogged this. I think it is an important message. Stay healthy! 🥰🥰🥰
I am happy you reblogged this, Tanya. 🙂 I think this is an important message, too.
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Many thanks!
This is a great idea. My problem is that when we´re having dinner, my family and friends are having breakfast!! We have been video calling many friends and family though which has been great.
I know what you mean. We have family on the west coast, and the time difference makes meals impossible. Any video calling and connecting is a good thing! Stay well, Darlene. 🙂
Jennie, newcomer here courtesy of Tanya. This is a terrific idea. Thanks for sharing. Keith
Thanks so much, Keith.
Great ideas!
While video conference style dinners don’t work well for all households/families (esp. those not terribly familiar with the technology), I’ve also found that activities like remotely reading the same literary works, or listening to the same music, can have the effect of helping people feel connected.
Keep up the good work to encourage your readership during this time!
On Tue, Mar 24, 2020, 5:08 AM A Teacher’s Reflections wrote:
> Jennie posted: “How can we socialize today? This is so engrained in our > everyday life. During this pandemic we need to find meaningful ways to > connect with each other. I am connecting with my students every day on > YouTube and email, and I am also having a great time w” >
You are exactly right! My technology skills are mediocre, so this can be be tricky for some. Zoom and the like can be hard, but FaceTime is a phone call away. It’s interesting that you mention remote reading and music. I’m a preschool teacher, and I had to figure a way to stay connected to my students. So, I started a YouTube channel and I read aloud to them every day. Music is next. Many thanks for reading and commenting. 🙂
Great idea to stay connected!
Thank you!
That sounds like fun! We’ve been using FaceTime to stay in touch with the Grandsons, my kids, and my Mom. I love it!
It really is fun. A dinner doesn’t feel rushed. I love FaceTime with family! Best to you, Deborah. 🙂
What a great idea, Jennie. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, John.
Cyber dinners! What a wonderful idea! Thank you.
Pat
Thank you, Pat!
Cyber dinners! What a wonderful idea! Thank you.
Pat
I might have to give this a whirl, Jennie. I miss sharing the laughs and camaraderie with a buddy over a pint.
I hope you do, Pete. It’s fun!
Cyber dinners are a marvelous idea, Jennie! Bon appétit!
Thank you, Teagan! I made killer mac and cheese, she made a fancy pizza. The wine was good, and the company was the best! I love cyber dinners, and I’m glad to spread the idea to others in this time of being closed off from friends and family. Stay well and stay safe. ❤️
Wonderful idea Jennie!
Thank you, Kim!
That’s a great idea, Jennie.
Thank you, Dan.
Wonderful idea, Jennie! Thanks for sharing… 🙂
Thank you, Bette. 😍
That sounds like a fun way to stay in touch for you and your husband.
It is, Marlene. I am not the technology person, but I think think this is the best thing since sliced bread. People connecting online when they can’t in person – Win-win.
Glad to see you have found another way to make the most of having to stay home. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
Best to you, Pete. Give Ollie a pat for me. 🙂
What a great idea! (I’m just going to cyber meetings.)
Thanks, Liz. I hope it’s something you can do and enjoy. Much more fun than a meeting. 🙂
Definitely! For every hour of meeting, you end up with three hours of additional work.
So true!
Jennie: I have no other way to let you know I just got my ‘aqua room’ fix this morning! I tuned in to ‘Knuffle Bunny’. “She went boneless” oh man I remember those days especially with my son, the youngest. Great phrase! And the kid-language? Great. Two other thoughts-1-Mommies KNOW and 2-Daddies do DECIDE to ‘look harder’
I’m glad I subscribed!
hugs
That’s so wonderful to hear, Laura! Isn’t “Knuffle Bunny” one of the best? In school, I actually go ‘boneless’ when I read the book. 🙂 Yes, Moms know and dads try harder. Mo Willems really has it nailed. Happy reading, and many thanks! Gloria is visiting tomorrow. I will be posting on my blog about the picture book I read today. Stay tuned! 😀
Yay Gloria is coming to YouTube!
Hooray. Tomorrow @ 10:00 AM. 😀
ps- this adult post offers a great idea for me, also! Thanks!
You’re too cool, lady!
😎
So glad it is giving you great ideas, Laura! You rock!!
A very innovative idea, Jennie. It sounds as if your lock down may end soon based on your president’s recent speech.
Thank you, Robbie. It works! A few hours ago our Governor announced all schools will be closed until May 4th. I am waiting for the flood of emails and phone calls… another scramble, yet necessary.
That is good to know. Our 21 days starts tonight. I am worried it won’t work as well here because of the circumstances in which they live. How do you self isolate in a squatter camp when you have communal water supplies and toilets?
I imagine tents or facilities have to be provided. New York City is being hit hard because many people live so close together. It’s a scary thing. Stay safe and stay well, Robbie.
How great! I used to do it with my parents the first years I left home – definitely time to start doing it again! 😍
Yes, it is! Thank you.
Jennie, thank you for an excellent idea!
You’re welcome, Charles!
lovely
Thank you!
May you never stop being the wonderful and inspirational person you are, Jennie! Bless anyone who knows you personally and gets to interact with you. One pair of wings is not enough for you for sure.
You are the angel, Anne. Thank you! ❤️
It takes one to know one. Love and hugs alwsys, Anne
❤️😍❤️
I miss my husband’s family. We live near them and see them a lot. I am used to not seeing my family because I have lived in a different country for 16 years. I also miss my local mum friends and my son’s playmates. We have been trying virtual playdates but they are pre-schoolers so getting them to focus is quite hard.
I know exactly how you feel. When you do the virtual play dates, it might help to have something specific, like telling them a story, showing them something cool, singing a favorite song, or having questions to ask them. You could have a challenge of who can build the tallest tower of blocks. Preschoolers don’t have a lot of focus. I hope this helps. And, thank you!
What a great idea!
It really works! 😀
Yeah!😀
What a great idea Jennie! Like seriously! ❤ Stay safe my friend! 🙂
Yes! We’re planning our third cyber dinner with friends. So much fun!! Stay safe and stay well. ❤️
Thanks, you too! ❤