July 14, 2025

We Are The Hansons Back To School Prep

We Are The Hansons Back To School Prep

In this special We Are the Hansons episode, we're diving headfirst into back-to-school prep—virtual style! As a big family navigating the world of online public school, we’ve learned a thing or two about turning chaos into connection. From setting up a productive learning space and organizing digital curriculum, to creating routines that actually work and keeping everyone (including mom and dad) sane—we’re sharing our real-life tips, tools, and a few hilarious mishaps along the way. If you're preparing for a new year of virtual school, this episode is your guide to making it successful, joyful, and uniquely yours.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

WEBVTT

1
00:00:11.199 --> 00:00:14.759
Hey everyone, it's Maya with we are the hands Ends.

2
00:00:15.039 --> 00:00:17.760
Today we're diving into one of the busiest and most

3
00:00:17.800 --> 00:00:20.920
exciting times of the year in our house. Back to

4
00:00:21.039 --> 00:00:24.879
school prep, and for our family, that means prepping for

5
00:00:25.000 --> 00:00:29.600
virtual public school online with a big family like ours,

6
00:00:30.039 --> 00:00:35.880
the organization, the energy, and let's be honest, the chaos

7
00:00:36.399 --> 00:00:41.240
are all real. But it's a time full of hope,

8
00:00:41.719 --> 00:00:46.320
new routines and opportunities. So grab your copy, settle in,

9
00:00:46.359 --> 00:00:49.920
and let's walk through how we're gearing up for another

10
00:00:50.039 --> 00:00:55.520
successful school year. We still have all of our laptops

11
00:00:55.560 --> 00:01:00.640
from last year. Step one, pull them out, clean them off,

12
00:01:01.000 --> 00:01:05.280
charge them up, and double check for damage. We also

13
00:01:05.439 --> 00:01:11.599
review logins and make sure any old passwords are updated.

14
00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:18.040
Since we're doing public online school again, we're currently waiting

15
00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:22.439
for this year's school books and workbooks to arrive in

16
00:01:22.480 --> 00:01:26.000
the mail. The kids get so excited when those big

17
00:01:26.040 --> 00:01:30.519
boxes come. It feels like Christmas morning to them. Each

18
00:01:30.640 --> 00:01:36.799
kid gets their own space. We wipe down desks, vacuum corners,

19
00:01:37.400 --> 00:01:41.920
declutter last year's doodles and rappers. It's a fresh start

20
00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:45.319
for all of the kids. This year, we're letting the

21
00:01:45.400 --> 00:01:50.120
kids decorate their own study space, posters, stickers, name tags,

22
00:01:50.959 --> 00:01:56.000
even little pencil cups that match their personalities. It makes

23
00:01:56.040 --> 00:02:01.760
such a difference for them. So many laptops and chargers,

24
00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:07.239
power strips are gold. We make sure every workstation has

25
00:02:07.319 --> 00:02:11.400
what they need. No one's fighting over outlets this year,

26
00:02:11.960 --> 00:02:16.879
it's going to be nice. Let's talk about those summer bedtimes.

27
00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:22.759
We start dialing it back about two weeks before school starts,

28
00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:27.879
so they're not cranky at eight am on the first day,

29
00:02:28.080 --> 00:02:32.039
because you know, for them, school doesn't start until nine am,

30
00:02:32.599 --> 00:02:35.240
So we get them up at eight, they get to

31
00:02:35.319 --> 00:02:40.199
eat breakfast, and you know, just relax until that first class.

32
00:02:41.560 --> 00:02:46.759
With so many different grades, schedules and zooms, I build

33
00:02:46.800 --> 00:02:51.520
a big calendar with a whiteboard that's color coded time

34
00:02:51.560 --> 00:02:54.520
blocks for each child so that they know they have

35
00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:56.439
a class at this time, this time, this time, and

36
00:02:56.479 --> 00:03:01.400
this time, and how long their breaks are. Getting back

37
00:03:01.439 --> 00:03:05.879
into morning routines is key. No more cereal on the

38
00:03:05.879 --> 00:03:10.120
couch while watching cartoons. We shift back to breakfast at

39
00:03:10.159 --> 00:03:14.280
the table mode, and that tends to get a little

40
00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:19.759
crazy sometimes, but and then you know, they get up

41
00:03:19.759 --> 00:03:22.479
at eight they can watch cartoons for a little bit

42
00:03:22.599 --> 00:03:26.319
after they eat their breakfast and just kind of relax.

43
00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:32.080
It's something that it's very easy to just not want

44
00:03:32.120 --> 00:03:36.439
to do something in the morning. But after getting breakfast

45
00:03:36.479 --> 00:03:41.159
and everything and they start getting in that routine takes

46
00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:44.400
about a week or so and they're back to normal

47
00:03:44.520 --> 00:03:50.800
routine for school. Okay, real talk, Mom needs coffee and

48
00:03:50.879 --> 00:03:54.520
lots of it. I make sure you know the coffee

49
00:03:54.560 --> 00:04:00.719
is ready, and you know everything stocked for them early morning,

50
00:04:00.800 --> 00:04:04.719
and tech support duties because you know, if one kid's

51
00:04:04.759 --> 00:04:09.080
headphone doesn't work, then it's scrambling or messaging trying to

52
00:04:09.120 --> 00:04:14.840
get their headsets to work. We plan our lunch ahead

53
00:04:14.840 --> 00:04:18.079
of time, easy meals that don't involve standing in the

54
00:04:18.160 --> 00:04:24.480
kitchen for thirty minutes per kid, and snacks self snacks

55
00:04:25.439 --> 00:04:30.120
and they can pick out whatever they want. Each kid

56
00:04:30.120 --> 00:04:35.800
gets a binder for school papers. You know there's notebooks

57
00:04:36.040 --> 00:04:38.160
because they all need that and it's got all their

58
00:04:38.319 --> 00:04:44.720
log and information in It keeps everyone from fighting and

59
00:04:44.959 --> 00:04:48.959
everything from getting lost and mixed up in the shuffle,

60
00:04:49.480 --> 00:04:53.399
so that kind of helps a lot. We bring out

61
00:04:53.439 --> 00:04:57.319
the headphones for everyone. Trust me, one kid's reading lesson

62
00:04:57.439 --> 00:05:00.439
blasting while another kid's trying to do their math does

63
00:05:00.519 --> 00:05:05.560
not work. It makes a mess because then you've got

64
00:05:05.560 --> 00:05:10.199
one kid saying I can't hear I'm listening to them

65
00:05:10.240 --> 00:05:15.600
and not doing mine. It always happens, so that's a must.

66
00:05:15.759 --> 00:05:18.399
We do a full tech run through. Make sure the

67
00:05:18.439 --> 00:05:22.199
Wi Fi is working, the webcams working, the microphone's working.

68
00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:26.360
Logins are you know, good and able to be logged into.

69
00:05:28.040 --> 00:05:30.680
We try to solve issues before the first day hits,

70
00:05:31.240 --> 00:05:36.639
just because it gets chaotic. If everybody's computer doesn't work,

71
00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:40.399
or two kids computers don't work, or headphones don't work,

72
00:05:41.279 --> 00:05:45.120
the first day is just a nightmare. We sit down

73
00:05:45.160 --> 00:05:50.480
and make a list. You know, mute when not talking,

74
00:05:51.399 --> 00:05:55.600
no tiktoks during school, We you know, ask for help

75
00:05:55.720 --> 00:05:59.879
when stuck on something, print it, post it. You know,

76
00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:02.959
those are things that the kids need to be doing,

77
00:06:03.279 --> 00:06:07.879
asking their teachers for help. I'm there to support them,

78
00:06:08.480 --> 00:06:12.000
but they really need to be raising their virtual hand

79
00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:15.920
and asking for help. It's okay if things are rocky.

80
00:06:16.720 --> 00:06:20.879
We talk to the kids about patience, flexibility, and grace

81
00:06:21.759 --> 00:06:27.160
for themselves and their teachers. Sometimes their teachers are busy

82
00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:30.839
with somebody else, so they just need to be patient

83
00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:36.000
and understanding and just wait for their name to be called.

84
00:06:37.240 --> 00:06:43.000
We try to attend the online orientation zooms and virtual

85
00:06:43.040 --> 00:06:49.839
meets and greets. It helps make those first lessons less intimidating.

86
00:06:51.399 --> 00:06:55.160
Even the younger kids get a little daily reading time.

87
00:06:55.920 --> 00:06:58.439
It gives me a break and it helps them focus,

88
00:07:00.319 --> 00:07:08.120
you know, and to stay sharp. That's important. Just because

89
00:07:08.199 --> 00:07:12.920
it's virtual doesn't mean no pictures. We do a little

90
00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:16.480
photo backdrop with signs and balloons, you know, first day

91
00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:22.839
of school. It's pretty fun, and their teachers do pictures

92
00:07:22.920 --> 00:07:28.439
while they're doing their work online. The last year, Torren's

93
00:07:28.959 --> 00:07:33.360
teacher did a video of all the kids on their

94
00:07:33.399 --> 00:07:36.319
first day and through the school year, and on the

95
00:07:36.399 --> 00:07:41.360
last day it was pretty neat. We make a big breakfast,

96
00:07:41.600 --> 00:07:46.600
you know, the first morning, waffles, eggs, fruit. It sets

97
00:07:46.720 --> 00:07:50.319
the tone that this is a special start to the

98
00:07:50.360 --> 00:07:53.199
school year, and I think that helps. I think it

99
00:07:53.399 --> 00:08:00.319
really helps the kids with being able to know that

100
00:08:01.279 --> 00:08:04.360
they're in a new grade, it's a new year. They're

101
00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:10.000
gonna rocket, you know, and it makes them feel like

102
00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:16.319
it's a fresh start, and it's just it helps a lot.

103
00:08:17.920 --> 00:08:21.720
We ask them what they want to improve this year.

104
00:08:22.600 --> 00:08:27.040
One says math, another says less yelling during class, time,

105
00:08:27.680 --> 00:08:33.440
real goals matter. They matter a lot. We schedule breaks

106
00:08:33.480 --> 00:08:37.559
with things they love, like coloring legos, playing with their

107
00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:42.159
baby dolls, playing outside, brain breaks that help them reset

108
00:08:42.240 --> 00:08:49.000
and focus better. You know, they do break on their

109
00:08:49.639 --> 00:08:53.720
virtual learning and it's a dance and they have a

110
00:08:53.840 --> 00:09:00.399
lot of fun. I mean, this school is so f fun.

111
00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:04.200
The teachers are very understanding and they helped the children.

112
00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:10.799
And I'm always telling the kids, if you're struggling, ask

113
00:09:10.919 --> 00:09:14.440
for help, because these teachers are willing to put the

114
00:09:14.519 --> 00:09:18.240
time in to help you, so let them help you.

115
00:09:19.600 --> 00:09:22.960
And last year was our first year doing it, so

116
00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:27.720
it was a little chaotic at first, but once I'd

117
00:09:27.720 --> 00:09:30.679
say about a week or two in, we were smooth

118
00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:35.159
sailing and it felt so nice not to have to

119
00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:38.320
make sure they didn't miss the bus going to school,

120
00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:41.200
make sure they got on the bus to come home,

121
00:09:41.320 --> 00:09:43.759
make sure they didn't get off at another stop that

122
00:09:43.799 --> 00:09:48.240
they weren't supposed to, you know, not having to run

123
00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:51.399
to the school to pick them up if they're sick

124
00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:55.720
or if they get hurt. It was such a relief

125
00:09:56.200 --> 00:10:01.240
being able to do online public virtual last year, and

126
00:10:01.799 --> 00:10:06.080
the only thing that is a bummer about it is

127
00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:10.639
the kids really miss the friends. Yes, they do get

128
00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:15.559
to see their friends virtual online video to video, but

129
00:10:15.639 --> 00:10:18.559
it's not like I mean, they're from all over the place,

130
00:10:18.679 --> 00:10:21.840
so they might be two hours away from us. Sometimes

131
00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:27.320
you do find a child in your area that is

132
00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:31.600
in your child's class, but it's very hard, you know,

133
00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:34.720
because you obviously can't sit there and say, hey, are

134
00:10:34.720 --> 00:10:41.399
you from Springfield, Missouri? So you just have to keep

135
00:10:41.720 --> 00:10:45.679
telling them, you know, these are your friends. You have

136
00:10:45.720 --> 00:10:50.320
friends in our neighborhood. If their parents are close, or

137
00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:54.360
if they come to vacation here, we can always get

138
00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:57.840
together and have a play date. So it's that type

139
00:10:57.879 --> 00:11:03.360
of stuff. I plan little check ins with each child

140
00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:07.240
once a week. We talk about how school's going, what

141
00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:11.360
they're struggling with, and we celebrate them wins. And the

142
00:11:11.399 --> 00:11:16.519
teachers at the public virtual are very very good about

143
00:11:16.679 --> 00:11:21.720
bringing struggles to our attention as parents, and I really

144
00:11:21.799 --> 00:11:25.120
really really like that because then you don't have to

145
00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:31.200
sit there and wonder how your child's doing, because you know,

146
00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:35.480
if the teacher ain't coming to you with questions, then

147
00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:39.879
usually that's a good sign. Now, if you're seeing something

148
00:11:39.879 --> 00:11:42.639
and the teacher is missing it, and you question the

149
00:11:42.679 --> 00:11:45.720
teacher about it. She may not be missing it. She

150
00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:49.360
may just be like, oh, well they're this far behind,

151
00:11:49.399 --> 00:11:52.840
they'll catch up, you know. So just because we think

152
00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:56.279
our child might be struggling a little bit doesn't mean

153
00:11:56.440 --> 00:12:00.360
they are. Maybe that, you know, we're not the teach. Sure,

154
00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:03.600
maybe they've seen it in the past with another child

155
00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:08.480
and they're like, oh, well, I've had a student in

156
00:12:08.519 --> 00:12:11.639
the past that had the same issue, but they overcame

157
00:12:11.679 --> 00:12:15.120
it later on, and we'll just continue watching them for

158
00:12:15.159 --> 00:12:20.879
that or whatever it may be. Then we go through

159
00:12:21.039 --> 00:12:25.720
all the platforms and we do the class dojo. You know,

160
00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:30.320
we make sure everything is updated and the kids know

161
00:12:30.519 --> 00:12:34.320
where to click because there is a lot of page turning.

162
00:12:35.039 --> 00:12:39.960
But it's a cakewalk. I mean, it's simple. And my

163
00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:43.360
kids had a down pat in no time. And maybe

164
00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:45.200
they might have changed some stuff this year, and we

165
00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:48.840
don't know, but we will find out and I'm sure

166
00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:52.159
my kids will catch on and I'll catch on easy,

167
00:12:52.840 --> 00:12:56.840
and we'll be good to go. So once school is done,

168
00:12:57.720 --> 00:13:01.399
screens go off for a bit their minds to shift

169
00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:07.080
out of zoom mode and back into real life. I

170
00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:11.679
give them an hour to two hour break where they

171
00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:15.320
can just go and do play outside, ride their bikes,

172
00:13:15.399 --> 00:13:18.159
do something like that, and then we come back and

173
00:13:18.200 --> 00:13:21.360
we sit down, we do our homework, and then we're

174
00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:25.679
good to go. Sometimes we don't get all the homework

175
00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:29.200
done that night. We try our best, but sometimes it

176
00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:33.440
is a brain overload and we just need to take

177
00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:36.919
a break. And the school is very understanding, so if

178
00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:38.960
you don't get it done that night, you can catch up.

179
00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:44.960
We leave little notes at their desks for the first day.

180
00:13:45.720 --> 00:13:49.440
Just how quick you've got this can mean the world

181
00:13:49.799 --> 00:13:55.039
to your child or happy first day of freshman year,

182
00:13:55.279 --> 00:13:59.320
or third grade or second grade. It helps a lot.

183
00:14:02.559 --> 00:14:09.240
Mom's emergency kit. We always have wipes, you know, we

184
00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:14.080
got sticky notes, extra pens, you know, little candy stashes

185
00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:17.080
in case, you know, the teacher says, oh, they did

186
00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:20.720
so good on this, you know, little quiz that we

187
00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:23.840
did and then they get like a sucker or something.

188
00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:30.120
Just the basics for surviving the day, because sometimes school

189
00:14:30.279 --> 00:14:34.600
can be stressful, and us as parents, we've been there.

190
00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:38.600
We've been there, so we know and we still go

191
00:14:38.679 --> 00:14:44.600
through it in our daily life with work and just

192
00:14:45.320 --> 00:14:51.120
life in general, it can be stressful. So that we

193
00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:54.080
always make sure we have just little things like that

194
00:14:54.799 --> 00:14:57.480
at the end of the day, we remind ourselves why

195
00:14:57.519 --> 00:15:03.039
we do this, for the flexibility, for the individualized attention,

196
00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:06.799
and for the chance to grow together as a family.

197
00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:13.440
And our kids have their own space and they are

198
00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:18.639
working at their own pace, and it's nice. That wraps

199
00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:22.720
up our back to school prep episode here at We

200
00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:27.559
Are the Hansens. Whether you're doing online school, homeschool, or

201
00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:32.600
something in between, I hope this gave you ideas, encouragement,

202
00:15:32.799 --> 00:15:36.759
and maybe a laugh or two. Virtual school isn't easy,

203
00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:40.840
but it's doable, and with a little planning and a

204
00:15:40.840 --> 00:15:44.679
whole lot of love, we'll get through it together. Wishing

205
00:15:44.919 --> 00:15:50.039
all of you an amazing school year ahead. If you

206
00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:53.320
want to get on over to our YouTube channel and subscribe,

207
00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:56.120
you can also send us a message on our We

208
00:15:56.200 --> 00:16:00.200
Are the Hansens Facebook page, or you can all so

209
00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:03.039
send us an email on our We Are thee. Hansen's

210
00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:07.240
Show at gmail dot com. You can also go check

211
00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:12.120
out our website at we Arethehandsomefamily dot com. Thanks for

212
00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:14.279
hanging out with me today and we will see you

213
00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:14.840
next time.