Last week, a sign hung in my son’s room that read “Hockey Day!” This was supposed to be the morning of his much-anticipated return to ice hockey after months of restrictions on winter sports due to COVID-19. His excitement was palpable; he had been eagerly counting down the days. The night before, he exclaimed, “I can’t wait for hockey tomorrow, Mom!”
He truly needs this. The exercise, the camaraderie with his teammates, the structure of a busy routine, and the life lessons that come from healthy competition are all vital for him. He thrives on the encouragement from a coach, which is different from the motivation he gets from family or teachers. The thrill of victory and the sting of defeat are crucial experiences that teach resilience. He needs to face challenges on the ice, learn to overcome them, and understand the value of hard work.
That morning, he leaped out of bed, filled with joy, and changed his sign to read “Happy Hockey.” He even made up a little song about the game while getting ready, which made his sisters and me smile. It felt like a day we had long awaited, a day that seemed uncertain due to the pandemic’s unpredictability. Off he went to school, beaming with anticipation.
Then the phone rang.
“Lucas is now in quarantine.” My heart sank. I was taken aback, my mind racing with questions that felt nonsensical. It turned out that Lucas had been in class with a student who tested positive for COVID. My initial reaction? “What about hockey?” I should have been more concerned about health and safety, but my thoughts were fixated on the fact that Lucas would miss hockey for another two weeks—completely unexpected and utterly out of our control. This moment captures the essence of pandemic life: disappointment.
I worry about the lessons our children are absorbing during this time. They’re learning to expect the worst, to temper their excitement, and that even the most reliable aspects of life can suddenly disappear. Children should feel secure in their routines, knowing they can rely on school, sports, and family, but that consistency has been shattered for over a year.
What will happen next? Will Lucas hesitate to express his excitement in the future, trying to shield himself from disappointment? As a mother, I wonder how to support him through this prolonged uncertainty. What do we do now?
The answers elude me.
This is just one small, non-catastrophic experience that our children are encountering, yet it’s one that deserves more attention. For a whole year, kids have been conditioned to brace for cancellations and disappointments. This is concerning for their emotional well-being, both now and in the future. As a mother, I often feel like I’m not doing enough.
When I picked Lucas up from school that day, I saw the confusion and fear in his tear-filled eyes. The moment he realized hockey was off the table again, I had to reassure him: “You’ll play again in two weeks, I promise. It will fly by.” Luckily, he’s still counting down the days and is excited, blissfully unaware of the possibility of another last-minute cancellation. Meanwhile, I can’t shake my uncertainty.
If you’re looking for more insights on navigating these challenging times, check out this blog post here. For information on healthy eating, such as overnight oats, visit this authority. Additionally, if you’re seeking resources on family-building options, this website is highly recommended.