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Navigating the Quarantine Life

How often do we find ourselves saying "I just wish I could stay home" as we navigate the craziness of our everyday lives. Work, school, parenting, sports, practices, meetings....before we know it another week has flown by and we shout TGIF. If you're like me, you like to stay home as much as you can on the weekends, because you feel like everyone else gets the other five days of the week. Fast forward....enter coronavirus.

All of a sudden, we are tossed into staying home full-time. Our nation is in crisis mode. Coronavirus looms in the outside world. We are told to stay home (the wish many of us have expressed). Not only are we parents, but now we're full-time employees, filling the teacher role AND parenting all at the same time. I don't know about you, but it's extremely overwhelming for me. I've tried to remain as positive as possible while putting my full faith in God and the essential workers out there combating COVID-19.

Lately I find my social media flooded with images of kick ass moms who are now teaching their kids through awesome science experiments, coaching them through homework assignments, reading books with their kids and coming up with creative art projects. Yet, here I sit like....what on earth am I doing? How do I bring all of these components of our new everyday routines together for my three kids, as well as still remain a dedicated employee, stay on top of my household needs and you know...breathe...

Oftentimes I feel like I'm expected to be that mom. I'll be honest with you, right now, I really want to be her. I'm having a tough time making it happen. I keep thinking that once the weekend comes and I'm able to gear my focuses away from my 8 hour workday, that I'll put a plan together so that education remains a top priority.

When it comes to family time and fun activities that aren't school-related, I've got that part down. That's only because things of that nature aren't outside of the norm for us. One of my favorite aspects of this 'Stay in Place' order is the extra time with my kids. When I find myself saying "I wish I could stay home", it is typically because I miss them so much. I wonder how they're doing when I'm unable to be with them. I miss their laughs. I want to hold them. Now that I have that part of my wish, I still have to piece the rest together.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, you don't have to be that perfect Pinterest mom right now. And if you are one, you are getting all of my props and a coffee mug cheers from me! Way to go! For the Pinterest moms as well as those of us who are still trying to navigate this new normal, now more than ever, it is so important for us to support each other. Lift each other up during times of uncertainty. Let your mom friends know that you support them. Use technology and connect. Thank the teachers who have spent countless hours working with and now for our kids to keep their minds engaged and preparing them for the future. And don't forget to laugh.

I know one thing for certain. I won't be taking the small, everyday things for granted anymore. Whether it's a coffee shop date with a friend, taking my kids to the parks or shopping at TJ Maxx, I will come out of this quarantine life a new person with a new perspective. In the mean time, I won't focus on perfection, but just be there for my kids the best way I can be, even if I'm not the perfect teacher, art crafter or science experimenter. They will never feel a shortage of love and support. And to me, that's the most important thing.

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