"Life during quarantine has been challenging, but it has been pretty amazing too!"
NOTE: This post was written before the murder of George Floyd by police officers. If you would like to know my thoughts about this, click here.
Life was transformed nearly three months ago. A global pandemic, called COVID19 caused our public businesses and social lives to shut down. We have all been "sheltering in place", which means that most of us have been stuck in the house nearly every day. I've written about challenges associated experienced during this COVID19 pandemic, and they are considerable. (For a discussion of that, click here.) However, I'd be lying if I said it has been all bad.
I am the mother of three small children. One is only two years old. I can tell you this. Not one of them has been disappointed that they haven't had to get up early to get yelled at and rush out of the house. And, yeah, I didn't yell at them every day, but the tension associated with the morning routine was palatable. Every day was a mad dash out of the house with four different masters to serve--my boss, and each of their teachers. Each of those masters had different expectations and demands. There were four different calendars to manage. There were also the extracurricular enrichment activities.... All of that caused a great deal of coordination and created stress.
And even though I believe that we made appropriate choices for their time, it has been nice to be relieved of the expectation of showing up--anywhere by a certain time, prepared with what we were supposed to bring and a smile. It's like a great weight has been lifted. Indeed, I was not aware of the burden day-to-day life had become until my responsibilities were taken away.
It has been a tremendous gift that has given me time to exercise and count my blessings.I am also a lot nicer when I am not preoccupied about the next day every night. #facts
Also, my baby is ecstatic! He has been living his very best life ever since this all started and I suspect that he doesn't want it to end.
I had a nanny with my older two kids. With their nannies they were free to do whatever made them happy--and they liked that. So, I have believed from the start of this day care journey that day care is a necessary evil that we tell ourselves is good for our kids--and we have a great day care that is worth every cent. However, for this child, day care was the best option in light of all factors. That said, while there are certain positives from the day care experience, this quarantine experience has taught me that he is happier when he can wake up when he wants and can have his day flow to his rhythm instead of an institutionally imposed one. And, I am really glad that he has gotten this break from his routine.
What I am saying is, I am grateful for this time. Know that my gratitude doesn't discredit the struggles being experienced by my others. I know what I describe is a privileged existence of someone who can work from home, can make ends meet, and has plenty of food. And, because I am aware of the struggles of other families, I am not suggesting that the world remain paused forever. I also acknowledge that life is about to get tougher because work is expecting people to return to in-office work and child care remains paused. (Don't worry, that post is coming.Just you wait! Just you wait!)
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