This is a time when emotional coping skills become so valuable. If you're home and isolated you need all those coping skills. If you're home in lockdown with kids, you need even more.
What are kids learning? School assignments may give structure and a sense of the familiar, but what kids are learning comes from the crisis itself. And from you. They are learning whether they can trust you. Whether home is a safe place. If joy and laughter still have a place. If they can ask real questions and get honest answers.
When lockdowns began in March, I figured we'd be in this for the long haul. So I'm offering a weekly author chat to kids and families designed to boost spirits, keep kids engaged with the power of stories and books, and give everyone something to look forward to each Friday.
That's something that's gone, isn't it? The chance to look forward to things.
"Fiction Friday" is a mix of mini writing lessons, a peek into how authors write books, stories behind the books, a few corny jokes, and more. This week's episode even includes a brand-new writing contest for kids! I'm teaming up with Mystery to Me, a great indie bookstore in Wisconsin to host the second annual (and first virtual) Kids Write! contest. Rules here.
So join me each Friday. We'll see through this virus pandemic time together. Fiction Friday posts each Friday while schools are closed until June.
A mother from Missouri writes: “Your Fiction Friday videos have become our writing "curriculum" while schools are closed. Thank you for inspiring readers and encouraging them to create stories of their own!”
And a family from Michigan: "My daughter has already begun writing a story for the contest!"
Send kid comments! I dedicate each show to a new kid each week. The smiles are enormous. And be sure to share with book lovers in your life, from librarians to teachers to book club friends.
This crisis gets at the essence of us. Don't be afraid to show your feelings and be honest with kids and yourself right now. You have the emotional skills to cope.
What has brought you grief and joy this week? How can you ease the day for someone else? What do you think of Fiction Friday?
Books to help during lockdown. The Griffins of Castle Cary: Fantasy adventure to escape. It's OK Not to Share: strategies to build honest relationships and emotional coping skills
Adult reasons for assigning homework vary, but one big one that always comes up is this: Responsibility. "The purpose of homework is to teach students to be responsible as well as reinforcing school curriculum," quote many well-meaning grown-ups, teachers and parents alike.
As for reinforcing school curriculum, the value of that is highly age-dependent as you will read in my book It's OK to Go Up the Slide. If you're looking for academic benefit, a good night's sleep is far more important. And for kids in elementary school, the academic benefit of homework has no statistical significance.
But responsibility? The myth that homework teaches responsibility stubbornly persists. We don't need homework to teach children responsibility. Responsibility is part of life-long growth.
Responsibility is bringing your lunch box home.
Responsibility is feeding the cat.
Responsibility is making your bed each day.
Responsibility is putting on your own coat, even if you're two.
Responsibility is writing thank you notes.
Responsibility is watering the neighbor's plants.
Responsibility is leaving a note if you go for a bike ride.
Responsibility is cleaning out your backpack after school.
Responsibility is putting an apple core in the compost.
Responsibility is getting out the broom when you spill something.
Responsibility is making your own sandwich and pouring your own milk.
Responsibility is remembering to tell dad that Grandma called.
Responsibility is vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom, and setting the table.
Responsibility is admitting you're the one who knocked over the plant.
Responsibility is remembering where you put your coat at recess.
Responsibility is bringing two mittens home.
Responsibility is part of learning independence and is interwoven into every day family life. There is also school responsibility - how we take care of the classroom, putting up chairs, cleaning up, using supplies wisely, cleaning the class guinea pig cage.
Responsibility is everywhere. It's up to us to make it age-appropriate. For elementary-aged children, homework is not a responsible use of their time.
In fact, how homework is done often produces the OPPOSITE of responsibility. Homework is assigned too young - often in preschool and kindergarten - so children can't even read the assignments and need adult help and involvement in every step (including remembering). This sets up a years-long struggle between parents and children which involves nagging, procrastinating, and tears. The pattern is set: parents as the Homework Patrol Cops and children as the Avoiders. When children are finally old enough for some meaningful homework (mostly high school, a little practice in 7th & 8th grade), doing and remembering to do homework should be the child's full responsibility.
But for now, start by feeding the cat and remembering to bring home those mittens.
Want to read more? It's OK Not to Share dives into homework and examines its purported benefits and the negative effects it can have for children and families. If your family is struggling with homework, learn more about the research and gain sane, sensible ways to opt out.
How did you learn responsibility as a child? 
What do you do when you're ten, and you've just read an amazing book? You re-read it.
I've been visiting schools and talking to children about my brand-new book The Griffins of Castle Cary. One boy said "I love spooky!" Another child said "If there was a sequel, I would read it in a flash!"
Then a 10-year-old gave the Griffins the highest compliment a child can give: "I'm re-reading it."
The Griffins of Castle Cary has been in children's hands for a few weeks. I'm thrilled with the reception. Here's what people are saying: Action-packed. Spooky & charming! Fast-paced. Adorable. Magical. We laughed out loud. We stayed up past 10 pm three nights in a row to finish it! Fabulously told. I adore the characters. Huge fan. Keep writing for kids!
Well, the good news is I'm going to. I've found my home here in Middle Grade fiction, and intend to keep writing more books for kids. For those of you who've grown up with my It's OK Not to Share books, now you'll have something for everyone in the family to read.
Here's what the book is about:
Siblings Meg, Will, and Ariel Griffin are off on an adventure! They can’t wait to spend a week visiting their eccentric aunt and her giant, tongue-drooling Newfoundland dog in England. But when they finally arrive, they’re faced with a few local secrets that stir up more than a little trouble.
Add in some very peculiar lights, strange new friends, a police chase and some stampeding sheep, and the Griffin kids are in over their heads—literally. Apparently this town has a ghost problem and the three children must race to solve the mystery before the ghosts take something that doesn’t belong to them.
I love everything about children's fiction: the writing, the children, the school visits. I also love the infinite range of story ideas. Writing for children means I can write about any idea, since kids' minds are willing to travel any place imaginable.
"I hope she's working on a sequel," said one 12-year-old. "Because I'm going to rip right through this book!"
Don't worry. I am. I'm writing two new books for kids right now, one a sequel to The Griffins of Castle Cary, and the other a historical fiction adventure. Can't wait to share them with you.
But in the meantime, happy summer reading! And when fall comes around, invite me to your school for an author visit or for Battle of the Books. I'd love to come meet you and share my love of books and reading.
What books did YOU re-read as a child? Or which ones are you re-reading now?
Order a copy of the Griffins - or learn more about Heather's books
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