As a stay-at-home parent, I found myself juggling my responsibilities while my husband, working in an essential role, maintained his job throughout. At that time, my son was in second grade, my daughter was in kindergarten, and my youngest was only two years old.
Having all three kids home full-time was not the issue; they certainly kept me on my toes, but I genuinely enjoyed the extra time with them—one of the few silver linings of 2020. It was the uncertainty of the pandemic that weighed heavily on my mind, causing me significant anxiety.
I was glued to my phone and TV, obsessively tracking the rising number of cases and eagerly awaiting updates from the government regarding new restrictions. I was anxious about school closures and uncertain about how my children would complete their school year. The fear of the unknown was overwhelming, and at times, I felt like we were living in a real-life version of “Outbreak.”
It’s fair to say I fell into a rut during those early months. Daily routines like baths and getting dressed took a backseat to watching the news and playing games. I was just a mom trying to keep it together in front of my kids.
Fast forward to now, and although we’ve managed to claw our way out of that initial slump, the school year brought its own set of challenges. Our district started the year fully remote, shifting to hybrid learning, then back to remote, then hybrid again. Finally, after a year of disruptions, we are preparing for full-time in-person classes.
You can imagine the chaos of it all. While our teachers have been incredible throughout this tumultuous time, the inconsistency has left me questioning if I’m doing right by my kids academically and emotionally. Doubts creep in: Am I providing enough support? Am I being too hands-on? How much help with homework is too much?
Yesterday, however, I received an email from my son’s art teacher after she had him in class on a hybrid day. It was brief but offered a much-needed reassurance as a parent.
What a relief! I realized I’m not completely failing at this parenting thing after all. Yes, I have support from my husband and friends, but hearing positive feedback from someone outside my immediate circle felt amazing. It’s comforting to know that my kids are thriving, even during such uncertain times.
Thank you, Ms. Taylor, for the uplifting message! Your words mean the world to us, and we think you’re doing an incredible job too!
If you’re looking for more insights, check out this other blog post on home insemination. For expert advice, visit Intracervical Insemination for more information. And for excellent resources about planning and fertility treatment, the March of Dimes has got you covered.