It's not unusual for kids to miss school in March. In Pennsylvania, March is usually the time for snow days.

But kids are home now for a different reason. And occupying them during a pandemic is just as important as occupying them during a snow storm.

Homebound

“I'm trying to keep things normal,” said Chrisi Harrison, who has two daughters in the Mars Area School District. “I'm trying to do some sort of activity (every day).”

Harrison and her husband, Justin, have a small business called Just in Thyme Catering and Events. Harrison also works part time as an accountant, a job she is able to do from home.

This is good news for her daughters, Avery, who is in third grade, and Lucy, who is in kindergarten. Harrison said she is trying to establish a routine for both girls to keep them in shape for school.

Christine Zacherl's family lives in Emlenton and is part of the Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District. Because Zacherl works for Keystone School District, she has been able to stay home with her daughter, Alexandra, who is 11 years old. Zacherl's husband, Tim, is a trucker and has to work.

Before school closed, Alex played basketball and trumpet in the A-C Valley band.

“Yesterday was like a little mini vacation,” Zacherl said. “I have printed off some papers to occupy the days.”

Zacherl said she is hoping to help Alex stay in the academic mindset while school is out of session.

“(It's the) same routine basically,” Zacherl said. “Other than she won't go to school.”

It's important for children, especially little ones, to have a routine. Zacherl and Harrison said routines bring structure to the day.

“I'm kind of winging it for now,” Harrison said.

While she doesn't have a concrete schedule yet, Harrison has several activities she does with her daughters each day.

For instance, they always have “computer time.” On Monday, Harrison said she and her daughters watched a drawing video. On Tuesday, they researched St. Patrick together.

Harrison said she also has with her daughters to do some free online Scholastic courses.

Cleaning is another part of the day-to-day ritual.

“We take turns and wipe down doorknobs,” Harrison said.

Silver linings

A global pandemic can be scary. But in many ways, having to stay home can reduce stress and introduce new opportunities.

“There is a bright side to this,” Harrison said. “I find I'm obviously much more relaxed.”

Harrison said one thing she has enjoyed with her children is “slower mornings.” Instead of rushing to get ready for school, her family is taking the time to ease into the day. This might mean a leisurely breakfast or a morning movie.

“There are plenty of opportunities out there,” Harrison said.

Before the statewide closure of schools, Avery was part of the Mars district's jump-rope team and took theater classes. Harrison said many nights, she would go from school to practice to homework before going to bed.

Now, those nights are spent doing things like listening to actor Josh Gad read kids books on Twitter.

The state's forced hiatus also has shown the strength of a community.

As an Adams Ridge resident, Harrison said she has seen people step up to help working parents by volunteering everything from babysitting services to books.

“Neighbors are being awful helpful,” Harrison said. “It's nice to know your neighbors are looking out for you.”

“There's been quite a few people that have been stepping up and helping,” Zacherl said.

Still, Zacherl said she appreciates the idea of social distancing. Alex has asthma.

“It helps me to not have to worry about that as much,” Zacherl said.

Checklist

Staying at home doesn't have to be boring.

“My girls are very creative,” Harrison said. “They do like having ... extra time to play.”

Because so many things are closed, Zacherl's been creative when it comes to activities. Tuesday, she planned to take Alex to Ollie's to buy some books and the mall to walk around. Zacherl said the hiatus also gives Alex more time to be outdoors.

“There's pretty much nothing to do, living in the country like this,” Zacherl said.

Being forced to stay home from school or work might be a good time for families to check off some of the things they've been wanting to do.

For instance:

- Try a new workout. Or try an old workout in a new way. Or try working out, period.

- Make a meal using only ingredients from the back of the cupboard. For a special challenge, pretend it's a cooking show and race the clock.

- Listen to a new radio station, find some songs in a different language or search through free online radio archives like non-profit organization The Internet Archive.

- Read a book from an unfamiliar genre.

- Tune into free live cams set up around the country, like those at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Pittsburgh Zoo.

- Start spring cleaning while the kids are home to help.

- Get started on outdoor projects while you have the time and talent.

- Put on a family sketch or try an improv session. Don't have costumes? Switch clothes with someone.

- Try meditation, a form of mind-body medicine that can help with concentration, stress reduction and fatigue, according to the Mayo Clinic.

- Sleep, but not during the day. Napping can disrupt healthy sleep schedules. Sleeping seven to eight hours a night boosts health, daily function and productivity, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Bottom line

Harrison said she might be enjoying time with her family the next two weeks, but that doesn't mean she and her husband aren't being cautious.

“We're taking every precaution that we should,” Harrison said.

Harrison's parents are in their 70s, and she's making sure they stay safe by social distancing.

“We're not taking it lightly,” Harrison said. “(But) I'm not really a panicker.”

Zacherl said her family had planned a Disney trip in June, and one of her older daughters is supposed to graduate this year.

Now, everything is up in the air. But Zacherl said she's “taking it in stride.”

“(We're) just more or less waiting until this quarantine's over,” Zacherl said. “I hope this is over soon.”