Is there such a thing as “too much time with family?” Many would argue no, but after being in isolation with family members for approximately one month, give or take, many would have to disagree. Among those families who have been in social isolation due to stay-at-home orders is the Mayle family, located in Louisville, OH.
Chris, Bonnie, Olivia, and Caleb Mayle are all feeling the effects of COVID-19 in different ways. Olivia and Caleb face changes in school as learning shifts to an online format. Bonnie also faces challenges with her hospital work being moved to a remote format. And Chris faces danger each day as he steps foot into a hospital with COVID-19 cases.
Olivia and Caleb spend most of their mornings working on schoolwork. As a fifth grader, Caleb’s work only requires a 2-3 hours per day while Olivia, a freshman in high school, is required requires 3-5 hours per day. Both students have been recipients of numerous academic awards, known for their excellent grades in school. With a shift to online courses, some challenges have appeared to make things a bit more difficult.
One of the hardest things about being online is that I don’t have direct access to my teachers when I need help. I’m left to figure it out for myself, wait for a few hours for help, call my friends or try to get help from my mom on her breaks from work.
Olivia Mayle, Freshman at Louisville High school
Though online instruction has been a transition for the kids, their mother, Bonnie, makes sure that the kids are maintaining contact with their teachers during school hours (when teachers are required to be online) and attending any virtual meetings the teachers may have that can benefit the students not only in getting help for their classes, but maintaining contact with their peers.
When asked if she feels like the kids’ education and learning is being hindered, Bonnie was quick to say that she has full faith in her kids to understand the material given. She talked about the challenges with connecting to teachers, but followed it up by talking about the preparation this experience is giving them for college and beyond.
The Novak Djokovic Foundation agrees with her. In an article highlighting benefits of e-learning, Shepherd Chimururi said, “The basic skills required in these areas include intelligence, emotional intelligence, hand-eye coordination, mathematical skills and social competence. In the future, the majority of companies will be web-orientated in their business, and will expect employers to be able to support their business system to the core.”
Bonnie is a RN Health Coach at a hospital in Ohio. She manages the diabetic telemonitoring and disease programs. For three weeks now, Bonnie has been managing team and patient calls from home using the phone or videoconferencing sites such as Zoom. Due to the privacy laws in healthcare and in order to work efficiently, Bonnie had to redo their home office to fit multiple computer screens, upgrade their internet service for a higher speed, and ensure that the kids are unable to overhear private conversations with patients.
It’s challenging to work from home sometimes. Not only do I miss my co-workers, but I miss the “me” time that I got on my drives to and from work as well as my lunch breaks. Now when I have breaks, I’m typically spending that time helping my kids with their work instead of having a few minutes to relax and collect myself.
Bonnie mayle, healthcare worker in ohio
Bonnie’s desire to be with her co-workers again isn’t uncommon. According to an article from Zandax, there really isn’t anything to replace that face-to-face communication and interaction you get. It’s difficult on adults with children to not receive that adult interaction throughout their day.
On the other side of this is Bonnie’s husband Chris, who faces the reality of COVID-19 each day as he heads to the hospital for work. Because of the hours he’s working he was unavailable for an interview. But, Bonnie provided a little insight into what things look like when he comes home each day from work.
Chris doesn’t step foot in the house with anything he had on at the hospital. I always set clothes out for him a few minutes before he’s going to arrive at home. He immediately takes the clothes he was wearing right inside of our door to the laundry room and starts the washer. He changes into fresh clothes and washes his hands, arms, and anything that’s showing before he interacts with the kids.
Bonnie Mayle on the process of coming home from a hospital with covid19
Bonnie went on to express her gratitude for their ability to still be working, as many families have been placed on unemployment or have severely cut back on hours. For more information on the financial impact families are facing in the midst of COVID-19, click here.
One thing that the Mayle’s are doing to help prevent going stir-crazy is taking walks when it’s nice outside. They also bring along their dog, Scarlet.
The Mayle’s story represents just one family out of millions in the United States, the struggles and changes the Mayle’s face is relatable to many. During a time of uncertainty and when many people lack motivation to get their work done or leave the house, the Mayle’s are finding ways to encourage each other, support each other, and love each other no matter how many times throughout the day that things feel a bit “crowded” at home.
For more information about the Novak Djokovic Foundation, click here.
For more information about Zandax, click here.
