Michael Curry knew exactly what he needed to do after learning that his three sons would be moving home.

The Barrington resident said he went to the Cox store and upgraded his wifi.

With four children at home — one recent college grad, two current college students, and one high school student — Mr. Curry knew that his home wifi system would be heavily taxed. And he was right.

"I'm not sure why they need to use three devices" at the same time, he said.

A month ago, the Currys had one child living at home, their daughter who is a senior at Barrington High School.

But then colleges and universities began sending students home in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus. His two sons who were away at college arrived home about two weeks ago.

Mr. Curry said his oldest son works and lives in Boston. His company sent employees home to work more than a week ago.

"He wanted to stay in Boston," Mr. Curry said. "But he was just sitting in his apartment… We said 'Why don't you come home?'"

"So far, they're all getting along well," he said, of his children. "As long as they can get on the internet…"

Mr. Curry said his family, like countless others, spends most of its time at home, either working online or taking online courses. There are occasional trips to the market to pick up essentials — Mr. Curry said his family is not spending hundreds to stockpile items, and questioned the apparent run on toilet paper. He added that things seemed to be settling down a bit more recently.

Mr. Curry said the situation has been very good for at least one member of his family: the dog.

"Everyone's interested in walking the dog," he said. "I ask if anyone wants to walk the dog and three people are there right away."

Mr. Curry was recently hired to coach a lacrosse team at Barrington High School, but his plans for the season have been put on hold.

He is hoping that lacrosse and the other spring sports will still have the chance to play an abbreviated season.

"These kids need stuff to do," he said.

Board games and more

In Hampden Meadows, Tinsley Kampmier-Williamson and her family are settling into new routines: Board games, home-cooked meals, and self-isolation.

"We've been self-isolating since Saturday (March 14)," Mrs. Kampmier-Williamson said. "We're good. We're doing well."

On Sunny days, the family heads outside. When it's raining, it's time for board games and other indoor activities. About a month ago, Mrs. Kampmier-Williamson began stocking up on games and books and other items for her two young children — Jack is 9, and Hadley is 7. She said she ordered a pile of Calvin and Hobbes books.

"The kids have been awesome," she said. "They're doing great."

Mrs. Kampmier-Williamson bought a rebounder net for Jack, who likes to play soccer. He spends time each day kicking into the rebounder.

She also set up a kids messenger app for her children, allowing them to communicate online with their friends. She said the app is controlled entirely by parents, but still offers children a chance to keep in touch with each other.

Mrs. Kampmier-Williamson said her husband has been working from home during the self-isolation.

"My husband's been focused on his job. This is my job — I'm focused on this," she said, referring to planning for self-isolation. "I'm planning for the long-term."

Mrs. Kampmier-Williamson said she has spent some time preparing for the distance learning Barrington schools will begin on March 25. She has set up the at-home work stations for her children. She said she was concerned that some of her friends will face a more difficult task, as they try to balance working full-time jobs while assisting their children in online learning.

Mrs. Kampmier-Williamson said she began stocking up on food about a month ago. She cooked and froze different meals with an eye on the future.

"It's going really well," she said. Her family is much better about eating leftovers and she has noticed that her children are getting better about eating different types of foods.

"My kids ate boiled dinner on St. Patrick's Day," she said.