Home ownership is such a huge part of the American Dream. It offers stability, comfort, expression of yourself….but 
as most of us are finding out now, most importantly it offers shelter. A place where we can stay safe. A place where we can heal and find hope. This is why we do what we do as REALTORS. That’s who we R. We give people a place to call home…a place of shelter.
However, sheltering in place is not without its challenges. Let’s look at some of the challenges (some more serious, some more lighthearted) that we are facing together at this time.
Full time with kids…indoors
Most working parents were not prepared to be thrust into the world of home-schooling and entertaining on a full-time basis. Some have found relief with sidewalk chalk, bike rides, board games, or even baking with the kids. Others have adjusted to on-line school with zoom classes - complete with homework.
Parents of toddlers or parents who were already home schooling are not necessarily at an advantage here. Many times, those parents rely on home school group events and activities or educational field trips. With the limits of social distancing and the closure of field trip locations, these parents are also frustrated and learning a new normal.
What are we going to eat?
Some families are now finding themselves in a live-action episode of the gameshow Chopped on the Food Network. 
Afternoon conversations may be “What can I make for dinner tonight using 1 can of tuna, a jar of spaghetti sauce, and a box of macaroni and cheese?”
Other families however are really struggling to get by. Maybe one or more of the household earners has lost a job due to the virus. Maybe when they run out of those cans of tuna and boxed macaroni and cheese they will just be out of food.
Check with your local food pantries. Some have plenty to share, while others can use more help than ever during this time. If you find yourself in this situation and you have small kids, you may also want to check with the area school district. Some are providing free meals for their students. If you are in a position to help those in need – this is a great place to get involved and volunteer if you are healthy.
Who wants to watch more TV?
At first it sounds great – I can binge watch all of my favorite shows. Then after days of sitting on the couch, you start to realize that there isn’t anything else you want to watch. (or you just realize you only got 700 steps in for 3 days in a row). Generally, we find that most people can only take so much time sitting on the couch doing nothing.
Let’s get on-line and see what everyone else is doing
While I haven’t checked the stats, my guess is that Facebook is seeing an unprecedented number of people spending time on their site. Not to mention all other social media channels. People are not meant to be alone, and spending time with others (even if it’s online) is something that we crave.
Honey-do lists have no excuses
Have you been putting off those little tasks? You know the ones. Those projects that you really didn’t want to do…so you always found something else to be more important. Well, NOW is the time to get those done! No excuses.
Your sanity – keep it in check
Anytime you lose your freedom, it wreaks a little havoc on your sanity. When you are prohibited from going out, or when someone tells you that you cannot go see your friends/family/neighbors you may be OK for a short time, but after prolonged quarantine it really does hit you emotionally. Make sure that you are keeping active (even if that means doing yoga videos in your living room). Make sure that you are staying hydrated. Make sure that you are talking to your loved ones on the phone – they need to hear your voice as much as you need to hear theirs. Talk about your feelings. Be empathic to others who may be in a different place mentally than you are. Be a good listener.
We know that you are having challenges during this time – we all are. We are facing these things with you and we want you to know you are not alone. We hope that you are staying healthy and safe. We want to help when we can. As much as this time is challenging, make sure you are staying plugged in to what is happening (as things are changing rapidly). Wherever you call home, we are glad that you have that place of shelter. That’s what we do. That’s who we R.
About the author:
Melissa Hailey is the Broker-Owner of North Texas Top Team, REATORS in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Our Team helps home buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants move across North Texas and we connect clients to other great REALTORS across the country. She is a real estate instructor and coach who loves to see others succeed. She is a serial volunteer helping others in her community and in her industry. Connect with her at https://www.northtexastopteam.com/melissa-hailey/