WHILE WEARING matching dresses, Lacey Paxton poses with her 6-year-old Paxton Shanks, a kindergarten student at East Richland Christian School in St. Clairsville. Photo provided

MAYNARD — For mom Lacey Paxton, trying to help her 6-year-old daughter Paxton Shanks, a kindergarten student at East Richland Christian School, do school work has been a struggle.

Having to go to work, come home and cook, clean, teach and try to do yard work has often left Paxton drained, but she is trying to make the best of a situation that is out of her control — the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She is a single mom and while she is at work during the day, because schools have been closed, her daughter is cared for either by grandparents or a babysitter. Having them help with homework doesn’t usually pan out well, so Paxton tries to do it with her daughter when she arrives home each evening.

“She sees her teacher every day on an app, on the school-provided iPad. Her teacher posts videos and activities on the app,” Paxton said, noting an assignment is given daily.

While her present situation often seems overwhelming, Paxton said she also is concerned about the future and how school will be handled next fall with coronavirus still looming.

“I’m very concerned about the virus flaring up again. I’m worried people don’t take it seriously … There is a lot of misinformation out there causing more problems than we need right now,” she said.

Not having a regular school routine has been a struggle for her daughter as well.

“There’s been a lot of attitude and tears at our house more often than not,” she said.

Though it’s been difficult trying to run a household, work full time and teach and take care of her daughter, Paxton said there have been good times as well. Her daughter has been making cards and crafts for people in nursing homes and for a relative who works as a nurse in Michigan.

“When the weather is nice we’ve been able to do a lot more outside activities. She’s learned to ride a bike without training wheels,” said Paxton, who lives in Maynard.

“We’re enjoying each other more because we haven’t had to worry about running around,” she said. “It’s been nice to be home. … For the most part she and I are always together.”

Paxton said she has been ordering her groceries online and then picking up the order. Her daughter typically goes with her on these little trips out. Ordering the groceries prevents Paxton from having to take her daughter into the store, too.

After a long day of hard work and play, Paxton said she does try to get some relaxation in.

“I get a hot bath at 10 p.m. before I go to bed at midnight,” she said.

East Richland Christian School’s last day of school this year is Thursday.