We are several weeks into a stay at home order and many of us are trying to be a jack-of-all-trades in the parenting department. Suddenly we are working while cooking while teaching while trying to maintain any semblance of sanity and frankly, it ain’t great.

Even now, you’re probably sneaking a peek at this blog post while a child is hanging on your shoulder and another is asking for your help with their common core math which there is zero chance you can figure out (long division for life).

So I’m going to be abundantly brief and present you with the top five Library resources to deal with your new job position of Parentteachereallytiredhumanwhostillhastowork. Because, sometimes you need some help and sometimes you need some fun, and the Library has the best of both worlds.

1. For School Help: Tutor.com

For those times when neither you nor your kids have the answer, Tutor.com provides access to an actual education professional who will assist with the specific academic questions you have. One-on-one. Human-to-human. You can even upload the specific worksheet or problem you’re struggling with and work through it directly.

2. For Safe Kids’ Screen Time: TumbleBookLibrary

In a time when limiting screen time is really not an option, allow TumbleBook Library to be a safe space you can direct your kids to for some screen time you don’t need to feel guilty about. For kids grades K-6, TumbleBook’s features animated books, National Geographic videos and a graphic novel collection your middle-schooler will love. The animated books can even be queued up so they play one after another, giving you enough time to lock yourself in the bathroom and eat that Reese’s Peanut Butter Egg without having to share it with your adorable, greedy offspring. Always available, no limits, no holds.

3. For Your Distraction: Flipster

I don’t know about you, but I can’t seem to unglue my phone from my hand. Every time I have a free moment I seem to unlock, launch the news app and spiral into anxiety at the steady stream of bad news.

As a way to combat the urge, may I suggest Flipster Digital Magazines, where you will find an absurd number of publications you can access on your phone or computer –without any wait. Look at this as a great time to read all the Time magazines that are gathering dust on the corner of your end table (they don’t need to know you read them on your phone).

4. For Free Kids’ Activities: Scholastic Teachables

Love, love, love this. Print out activity sheets to help your kids learn to cut, write, learn the alphabet or their numbers and more. You will find activities both fun and helpful for grades pre-K to 8, and if you really want to be an over-achiever, that can support what they are learning in school.

5. For Everyone’s Entertainment: OverDrive/Libby and hoopla

The Libraries are closed, but our digital content can be accessed from your couch cocoon of blankets. My two favorites are Libby (OverDrive) and hoopla, both wonderful apps that give you access to so much by way of reading, listening and watching material. I’ve been cranking through graphic novels on hoopla (check out Paper Girls, you won’t be disappointed), audiobooks on OverDrive (great for when you need to drown out the 4,398 viewing of Frozen 2) and eBooks on both. Both resources provide access to book, audio and video for all ages. Download to your mobile device (both free) and link with your Library card and pin. If you need to reset your pin, use the chat function on our website

And there it is. Five easy ways to make life a little bit easier and a little more enjoyable while we wait out the storm. Now, if you will excuse me, there’s a tub of Easter candy calling my name and an empty bathroom to hide in while I eat it. I’ll keep your secret if you keep mine.