Well, let's be honest. I can't exactly say that I LOOVE quarantine life and the Corona Virus...AT ALL!

BUT, since it's hear and has now turned life as we know it on its head, I've noticed a few positive side effects that I'm deeply grateful for.

My everyday life has not changed much since I'm used to being home with the kids. But it's a lot more intense with no daycare days, with my husband working from home, with the uncertainty of what will happen to his job and salary, with my job search being put on hold, and just being stripped of overall mobility. We are all in it and probably going through exactly the same concerns.

I don't know about you, but I have really been hungry for some positive news lately.

That's why the little things have started to bring me more joy now. Or maybe I'm just finally starting to see them. Either way, let's celebrate the little joys in life and the positive aspects to this crazy time that we are in.

Here's my list of the positive side effects to quarantine life. I would love to hear yours too!

Stronger Sibling Bonding: It could be an age thing - they have just turned 2 and 4 - but I see so much love and play between my little ones compared to just one month ago. They are deeply immersed in imaginary play and they are so affectionate and engaging with each other. They still fight of course, but it's much less. It's so heartwarming to see.

Closer family bond: with my husband working from home, life is a lot less lonely for me and the kids (ironically). He is probably getting a lot more cabin fever than we are, but we are loving having lunch together, having him pop in for a story book before nap time and just the occasional check ins during the day. It will be a tough transition for us all when he goes back to the office.

More Creativity and Outdoor Play: We have upped our outdoor game even more with creative ideas from @mtmamatales and her team's #getoutsidefamily challenge. We spend a good part outside already in our garden and on bike rides and walks. But the daily challenges just add to the creativity and productivity (we've made bird feeders, planted seeds, painted rocks, made Easter decorations and much more). There are so many wonderful ideas out there and I finally take the time to look up more of them.

Finally nailed the 2 week grocery list and meal planning: Stocking up for the apocalypse has been really refreshing in the sense that there is always food around. Aside from the odd snack item we go through a lot or the sugar we forget to buy, we have finally become great at meal planning for 1-2 weeks AND be creative with what we have if nothing specific has been planned. In fact, we might even be eating better now with less takeout...an obvious positive as well ;)

Stay-at-home life being recognized - Insight into work: for all those husbands here in the US that have been deprived of paternity leave....here is finally a taste of what it's like to be home every day with kids - and how many times you can clean up toys without it making any difference whatsoever. As lovely as it is to be able to spend time with your kids, to know what they do all day long, it's also a lonely job with very little immediate praise and constructive feedback. I'd like to think that my husband and I now have a lot more insight into - and respect for - each other's every day work life.

Closer Overseas Grandparents Bond: Having lived away from family for over 5 years, I'm surprised we didn't think of this sooner. But to keep our kids and parents busy, we asked some of them to do a story hour online once a week or to send videos with them reading books or telling anecdotes from their childhood. Our kids love it! We all do. The kids are finally able to sit still for a video call because the conversation is about them. Not us. Our daughter even ends up reading books to her grandparents. Next week she will be doing a ballet recital (yikes for the pressure on mommy to choreograph that). I highly recommend this for any family with grandparents far away.

Fun with old friends: We also finding ourselves reconnecting with old friends that we don't talk to a lot anymore or that we usually only have shorter conversations with. We now play games Friday night and actually make a 'date' out of it for at least 2 hours. House Party has been one fun way to connect.

We have all become much better at washing out hands. Who knew how long 20 seconds were before this and how little we were all washing hands for that long.. :)

Let’s hear it from you! Comment below. What is your positive side effect list from quarantine life during Covid-19? What will you take with you when our old normal returns? I can’t wait to hear it.