My teenage daughter was up watching “Stranger Things” until the early hours, and now it’s nearly 11 a.m. and she’s still in bed. She has a video call in half an hour, so I’ll let her enjoy a bit more sleep.
The state of my kids’ bedrooms resembles a tornado aftermath, and my son is on day three of wearing the same outfit. I think they’re still brushing their teeth once a day, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
When the pandemic first hit, I thought it would all settle down in a few weeks, just like many others did. As reality set in and virtual learning began, I tried to keep things as regular as possible for my kids. I did it for them, but also for my own peace of mind. I needed to maintain a routine, stay focused, and not lose my grip on parenting or life itself. I enforced bedtimes, encouraged them to wake up at a decent hour, and insisted on family dinners, all while pretending everything was fine when, deep down, I was terrified.
I was determined to keep everything in check—laundry, meal prep, my kids’ hygiene, and screen time. But I quickly burned out, and everything spiraled out of control. Chores fell by the wayside, I relaxed rules on bedtimes, and soon my kids were using their devices late into the night.
Trying to maintain a facade of normalcy in such an abnormal time can lead to chaos. The unraveling was swift and dramatic. I have to admit, the release felt liberating.
For parents, maintaining the status quo for our children right now seems impossible. They aren’t back in school full-time, and they’re missing out on many activities they once enjoyed. It’s a lot to expect parents to shoulder the burden of keeping everything on track when we’re just trying to keep afloat ourselves.
A recent article in The New York Times highlighted the surge in screen time among children since the pandemic, raising alarms among experts. Understandably, parents reacted with frustration, as we’re doing our utmost to support our kids during these challenging times.
As a parent of three teenagers, if anyone tries to judge my choices right now, they’ll get an earful. Experts, as mentioned in USA Today, suggest that the best thing we can do is be there for our kids. Mary Smith, a psychology professor at New Hampshire State University, points out that children can endure tough situations if they have supportive figures in their lives.
I can offer my kids that support, but I refuse to hold myself to unrealistic standards of maintaining normalcy. They need comfort too. Their devices are their lifeline to the outside world. If my son wants to indulge in three bowls of cereal or run around barefoot in the snow, I’m okay with that.
We all require support and comfort during this time. What we don’t need is judgment for not upholding a facade of normality. If that means I skip cooking dinner or let my kids enjoy video games for hours, so be it.
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Summary:
The pressures of maintaining normalcy for children during the pandemic can be overwhelming for parents. While it’s essential to support children, it’s also crucial to let go of unrealistic expectations. Comfort and connection are paramount during these uncertain times.