Right now, leaves are swirling around my living room. Recently, during one of our many drive-through outings, my son insisted on taking his comforter along for the ride. Normally, I’d have told him to leave it behind to keep it clean, but let’s be real—what else does he have to look forward to these days? Not much, honestly.
So, I let it slide, and of course, he dragged it through the garage into the car, only to return with a few twigs and leaves stuck to it. Honestly, I couldn’t care less. The mess on my floor evokes memories of sunny drives and munching on fries in parking lots.
This pandemic has truly transformed my way of living. Perhaps it’s the realization of savoring each moment or the fact that I’m cooped up with my kids 24/7. I’m conserving my energy for the battles that really matter. I’ve come to terms with the fact that there’s plenty of time to catch up on chores or pampering myself, so there’s no urgency.
But a major factor is how stressed I felt at the onset of this crisis; I depleted all my reserves, and now, the only way I can cope is by adopting a more relaxed, carefree attitude. My laundry is piling up, and my pantry is stocked with frozen pizzas, burritos, and a variety of ramen. Sure, I used to encourage my kids to eat healthier, but we’re in quarantine now, and if my son wants to heat up some leftover chicken nuggets and wash it down with Dr. Pepper, so be it. He deserves a treat, and honestly, I can’t keep up with the pressure of doing everything right.
My go-to outfit has become a sweatshirt and underwear—today, I’m even wearing my son’s old sweatshirt because it’s the only clean one available. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve stepped outside in just my underwear since the stay-at-home orders began.
When I received emails from my kids’ teachers about missing assignments, I simply forwarded them along and told my kids to handle it. I hardly recognize myself, and my kids surely don’t see the uptight mom I used to be—the one who micromanaged everything, always striving to make life look perfect.
Now, I lack the energy to do anything other than enjoy a soda, indulge in ramen, and relish the little joys of life. Color-coding their schoolwork? Not happening. Cleaning out the pantry? Not on my agenda. The rules have shifted, and I’m embracing this newfound freedom. If I don’t feel like changing the toilet paper roll, I won’t. Life is too short to stress over trivialities, and it feels incredibly liberating.
Navigating parenting during this pandemic doesn’t come with a manual. Each day, I aim to simply survive my moods and do what feels right in the moment. I find myself reflecting on my ex-husband’s carefree attitude, and you know what? I don’t mind it.
Somewhere along the way, society ingrained in us that moms have to juggle it all: earn a living, manage the household, and keep everyone happy at the end of the day. Many women, myself included, have fallen for this illusion, believing we need to hold everything together. Meanwhile, dads often escape the judgment that comes with not doing it all. This constant pressure can lead to overwhelming stress. Embracing a more relaxed approach has been refreshing, even if it took a global pandemic to realize it.
Yes, I want this to end. Yes, I worry about my kids’ safety. Yes, I long for a sense of normalcy. But for now, I’m enjoying the freedom of not worrying about how many vegetables my kids consume or double-checking their every move.
Right now, our evenings look like ice cream for dinner and microwave popcorn before bed. There’s an overflowing laundry basket and questionable outfit choices, but this is me embracing each moment and not living up to anyone’s expectations other than my own—and honestly, it’s working just fine.
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In summary, the pandemic has shifted my perspective on parenting, allowing me to embrace a more relaxed lifestyle. I am choosing to prioritize moments of joy and freedom over the pressure to maintain perfection, making this challenging time a little easier.