(WWJ) The classroom has been relocated to the living room after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered all K-12 schools — public, private and charter — closed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

It's a new way of life for many metro Detroit parents, amid a lot of uncertainty.

(Photo: Kathleen Fusinski for WWJ)

"It's going OK... But, you know, we're not qualified to be teachers," said Samantha Hanser-Maynard who, along with her husband Jason, are trying to stick to a schedule with their 9-year-old son Emmett.

"I printed one that's been floating around on Facebook...He's good with it so far," she told told WWJ. "He gets tablet time, and there's academic time and reading time. And we make sure that we at least get out and get some fresh air."

Whitmer's order shuts down school building through April 5; although parents in some districts have been told this could essentially end the school year.

Hanser-Maynard said Emmett's school, Schalm Elementary in Clawson, did a great job of providing materials — which she received midday Monday — as well as an online learning platform. However: "We've already been told this is not a substitute for going to have to go to school in the summer...This doesn't cover, I don't think, like the state-mandated things that they need to learn. This is just kind of to keep them going a little bit."

On social media, Hanser-Maynard said some parents posted photos of cute little classrooms they've arranged.

"But we're both working. It's not like I'm off and can just become a teacher overnight, you know?" Hanser-Maynard said.

"We're both working professionals. So we have our job duties, and we're gonna make sure our kid get some sort of instruction and doesn't spend the entire time in front of a TV. That's basically, you know, the standard I'm going for."

With her husband away at the office, Kathleen Fusinski of Oakland Township will be educating their two boys, 9-year-old Max and 6-year-old Henry, on her own.

Isn't this disruptive to her lifestyle?

"Completely! But everyone's living differently right now," Fusinski said. "And it's easier, much easier for me than someone who works outside the home, and lucky for me my job is super flexible hours and can fit it in maybe a little bit when they're playing outside our having their quiet time during the day."

Max and Henry reacted well to the "Mama School" chart she made, with a detailed agenda for the school day.

"They were excited, honestly, and even had their own input on like, we should have a time in the day where we have a brain break similar to how they do at school," she said, "And they had the idea we could do 'Just Dance' on the TV if it's raining or bad weather outside."

At home with the kids? Here's a fun lesson about germs to help protect against #coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/lBE5ZAN23t — WWJ950 (@WWJ950) March 16, 2020

Everything went to plan on Monday and, surprisingly, the day passed pretty quickly, Fusinski said. Rochester Community Schools uses learning apps kids can access at home, and they're awaiting additional materials that were promised.

Max, meanwhile, said his mother's doing a great job; and, so far, it's "way better" than regular school, "Because you get more recesses, and you have a lot more fun."

The only thing Max misses, he said, is not seeing his friends every day; although Fusinski has been allowing them to play outside with the neighbors a bit.

One county over, in Macomb Township, 5-year-old Kindergartner, Luka, misses his buddies, too.

"He was very heartbroken, because he loves his friends at school and wants to see them and play with them," his mom, Stefanie Bogojevski-Trpcevski said. "We explained to him what going on; he's aware. We don't really hide things from him, we don't coddle him.

"He was also very upset about not seeing his teacher. But she did email us saying we could send email; so that way they could practice writing to send her emails every day if they want, just to stay in communication."

Luka's school, Sequoyah Elementary, also sent home a fat packet of homework Bogojevski-Trpcevski said appears will last at least three weeks. Plus, they have free access to educational programs online.

The whole thing's a bit scary, she confessed, but so far she's making it happen. By mid-afternoon Monday, Luka had spent around four hours on school work.

"Kinda like doing it in half-hour increments. That way he doesn't and I don't go nuts, and I can keep up with house life, and he can have a break," said Bogojevski-Trpcevski.

She has to balance her time teaching Luka with caring for his little brother, too.

"Next on our list is arts and crafts," she said. "I'll probably make something gooey to keep their hands busy."

Meanwhile, Bogojevski-Trpcevski has other worries. She co-owns a salon, and isn't sure how long they can stay open.