My first-grader’s school vacation should have been a welcomed respite, but instead, it turned into five unstructured days balancing my work from home schedule with entertaining a 7-year-old. One afternoon, in an effort to keep her busy, I suggested she start a pastel portrait while I arranged a grocery delivery. From the kitchen table, I gave her directions on to set up, but she forgot to cover the dining room chair with a towel, smearing red pastel all over it.
