Rumors started circulating about a virus…
I didn’t think too much about it…
Then the news exploded!
Covid-19 was a deadly virus, spreading fast, and killing people worldwide…
Scared.
Confused.
Flights from China stopped.
Schools closed in March.
Then, teach your children at home. “Remote Learning” mandated by the public school district. Teacher called once a week to check in on progress.
A huge change/adjustment thrown at all parents!
My child is attending a dual language school. How do I help her with her Spanish school work?
The school provided breakfast and lunch for children under the age of 18 Monday-Friday. That was an unexpected blessing! Thank you for the food!
Workplaces closed, but essential workers kept working. Thank you essential workers!
Shocked by panic buying at the stores:
No hand soap.
No toilet paper.
No paper towels.
No potatoes.
No rice.
No eggs.
Where are the basics needed for our family?
Are people hoarding?
How bad is this virus?
Mixed messages arrived:
Wear a mask?
Don’t wear a mask?
Can’t use reusable bags to shop.
Plastic bags provided free of charge.
The virus will be gone by summer, we were told!
WASH YOUR HANDS. Doctors on television showing how to wash hands.
Who doesn’t wash their hands regularly?
Then, “Shelter in Place”
Scared.
Confused.
Exhausted from my three young children needing so many different things from me, it seemed, all the time.
Hiding in the bathroom for a five minute break.
Banging on the bathroom door, “Mooooommm.”
“Give me a minute, I’ll be right out.”
“Mooommmmm.”
Sigh…
I have had MANY moments where I wish this virus wouldn’t have happened or would’ve happened before I had children or when my children were older. I have been envious of people with older children (more independent and less clingy) and envious of my childless friends.
Keep my young children occupied! Keep them safe and entertained, keep them fed and do the housework, support them academically and emotionally.
Try to explain to them what is going on in the world, when I’m not even sure as to what is going on…
Mediate their arguments. Try to ignore the whining. Breathe.
Struggling to be in the PRESENT and not focus on the “what if’s.” Exhausted and overwhelmed.
No free time.
Conflicted.
Some friends shared how grateful they were to be home and have “family time.”
Why don’t I feel that way??? Am I a bad mom??? I should feel grateful too… I am just SO TIRED!
My husband is considered an “essential” worker so he’s unable to help at home, therefore “family time” is not possible.
The days BLUR from one to another:
No school days. No weekends. No after school activities or play dates.
Focus on the present. One day (one hour) at a time.
This too shall pass.
We are ALL going through highs and lows, some more than others. It’s nice to hear “we are all in this together” but sometimes it sounds too trite, too hollow.
Feeling isolated and alone.
Trying to stay sane.
Repeat the daily cycle. Be present with my children.
Play. Sing. Dance. Games.
Picnics in the living room.
Blanket forts.
Bike rides outside.
Socially distanced walks.
My four-year-old William yells “six feet away people” every time he sees someone on our walks.
“Why are the parks closed?” ask the children.
They plead, “When will the virus go away?”
They beg, “Why can’t we play with our friends?”
Social distancing has been a stressful test.
My youngest is not sleeping through the night…
My four-year-old and six-year-old wake up around 6:00 am every day…
I can’t sleep even though I want/need to!
Headaches. Anxiety.
Care packages exchanged with family, friends, and neighbors.
Grateful to have so many wonderful neighbors! We’ve exchanged food, beverages, material goods, and provide each other with emotional support.
Began howling at 8 pm (April-May) every night to honor essential workers, to feel a sense of community, and a chance to act silly.
FaceTime and Zoom calls, fearing my children will one day think technology is the “normal” way of communicating.
No more birthday parties. My eldest daughter Athena, was disappointed about not having a party. Instead we put a “Honk, It’s My Birthday” sign out front and I was grateful that so many people honked! Some friends stopped by and sang “Happy Birthday” (masks on) and we gave them cake to go. No candles (or spit) on the cakes.
My other daughter Zadie turned two. A similar success, with the “Honk, It’s My Birthday” sign out front, but the absence of family and friends celebrating made us sad.
Our family dog died on Zadie’s second birthday. Tiva enjoyed a long life of 15 years. And she certainly enjoyed the past several months of her life of being at home with the children continuously. Talk about a dogs dream come true!
Athena and William crying at bedtime for answers that could not be found.
When will Tiva wake up?
When will she come back?
What is a soul?
Missing the sound of her paws walking around.
Missing her warm body as she lay on their feet.
Missing her stinky dog farts…
She was such a GOOD DOG!
Rest in Peace our loving, energetic, patient, blanket-stealing dog, Tiva!
I feel like I am normally a strong person. I work hard, I want to be the best at all I do, but this year had me feeling like a snowball getting larger rolling downhill, and with so much change and confusion it hasn’t stopped rolling down the hill…
Monday, June 29th was “Day 105” of no school, no preschool, no music class, no Awana, no parks or libraries. And there were no concerts in the park, no movies in the park, and no public swims..
“Playground?” – Zadie to mommy.
“The playground is still closed.” – Mommy to Zadie
“Closed. Virus. Grandma help?” – Zadie to mommy
“No, grandma can’t open the parks.” – Mommy to Zadie
-July 7, 2020
Some family and friends tested positive for Covid-19.
Worried for them. Prayed for them.
Fortunately they recovered!
Summer is ending and my children now ask less often about things opening up… they ask less often about play dates… I’m worried about that too. I think my family has finally adjusted to this new reality… and I hate to think of it as a new reality.
I have gotten better about being PRESENT with my children. I’ve learned more about what they like and don’t like. I’ve learned they are kind, smart, funny, and brave, and they have creative, problem solving imaginations. And I am enjoying re-living childhood games with them:
Freeze tag.
Hide and Seek.
Red Light Green Light.
Frisbee.
Ring toss.
Bocce ball.
More mixed messages:
Wear a mask?
Don’t wear a mask?
Plastic bags are no longer provided free of charge in the stores.
You can now bring reusable bags into the stores, but bag your own purchases.
Ukiah Unified School District will start the public school year with at home “Distance Learning.” I spoke with the Principal and she said they are “much more prepared this time” and they have “more resources this time.”
My eldest daughter Athena is THRILLED to have a Chromebook (lap top) for Distance Learning. Her teacher seems nice and I am feeling more optimistic about Athena’s school year.
Athena’s Zoom Distance Learning sessions for the first month or so were somewhat stressful. She had a lot of websites to learn how to use and what to do on each site (and she’s learning in Spanish).
During Athena’s Distance Learning Zoom the first week of school:
“We can’t hear you.” – Mommy to Athena’s teacher
“Mom, you muted her.” – Athena to mommy
I am so glad my seven year old understands technology better than I do!
I need to keep my two year old entertained and safe and quiet(ish), while also helping Athena with her online Distance Learning. I sometimes feel like a ping pong ball…
Deep Valley Christian School, a private school, will open for in person schooling. I was excited and nervous. Do we send William (my four-year-old) or not?
William’s Private School opened in August and we follow CDC protocols:
Parents and students need to wear masks when dropping off and picking up.
Temperature check daily, wash hands.
Parents cannot enter the classroom. So sad for me, being a helicopter mom.
Kids bring their own snack, lunch, and water bottle.
We are so grateful they are open for in person schooling! I believe in person instruction is better for younger children, as they need to see real people and learn with real manipulatives.
My daughter Athena, is doing math manipulatives: counting blocks and using geoboards (rubber bands on square boards) online, on a screen. Children need real objects to touch, to manipulate, in order to best learn.
New routines and a “new reality” for the meantime are being established.
Athena and William are working hard on their schooling. I’m so proud of them for their effort and resilience!
Fire season arrived. Scary!
Heat. Smoke.
Can no longer go for walks or play outside. Going stir crazy with my three young children being stuck in the house for days on end… argghhh!
Ukiah Unified schools reopening in January. Excited and nervous and lots of questions. Spoke with the principal again. I need to make the BEST decision for my children: academically, socially, and emotionally.
“What’s a Covid tier?” – Mommy to daddy
“Someone crying because they have Covid.” – Athena to mommy
Halloween is coming. Please be “normal” for the children. I’ve been worried about my eldest daughter’s emotional state. I’m sad she is sad that she has been missing out on so much. Please let people participate in a holiday that people usually wear masks for.
Halloween Day: Halloween art, Halloween food, dressed up, and Trick or Treated. One out of every 8-10 houses participated. I thanked everyone who participated and provided the children with a sense of “normalcy” in this bizarre year. Also grateful to the neighbors who simply left out candy and hand sanitizer.
It’s almost winter and Covid-19 no longer has me scared, it has me feeling confused and frustrated.
Millions of people have caught Covid.
Hundreds of thousands have died from Covid.
Fortunately, everyone we know who caught Covid has survived, including my 88-year-old great uncle. It’s frustrating to be told to stay home and be cautious of a virus that might not be as harmful as predicted…
Open the small town mom and pop shops, open the restaurants, open the schools!
If this Covid virus is so dangerous, and government officials advise people not to travel, then CLOSE all the airports.
The shades of gray are confusing!
Either Covid is dangerous and all travel needs to stop, to stop the spread. Or the virus isn’t as bad as thought and we need to craft a reopening plan for normalization of society to return.
Thanksgiving is coming. What do we do? See Grandma and Grandpa or not?
We were doing supply exchanges every 3-5 weeks with them and waving and talking to them through the window. Do we celebrate together? We want to be together. We want to be healthy. Spoke with Grandma and Grandpa. Let’s get together!
Thanksgiving: Shoes off. Wash your hands. Windows opened. Fans on. Hang out. Play. Eat! Yum! Thanks for having us!
Christmas is coming. So grateful that our family and friends and neighbors are safe. So grateful that those we know who tested positive for Covid have all recovered. Grateful to be here still riding the roller coaster of life. 2020 has been a challenge and much more than an inconvenience.
However I have learned to be more present. I have learned to enjoy my young children and engage in play more. We are grateful for our health and for finding joy in the little things and moments. We have so much to be thankful for!
Hoping and praying that “normalcy” will resume sooner rather than later.
Hoping and praying 2021 will be better and will bring more happiness than sadness to all.
I didn’t think too much about it…
Then the news exploded!
Covid-19 was a deadly virus, spreading fast, and killing people worldwide…
Scared.
Confused.
Flights from China stopped.
Schools closed in March.
Then, teach your children at home. “Remote Learning” mandated by the public school district. Teacher called once a week to check in on progress.
A huge change/adjustment thrown at all parents!
My child is attending a dual language school. How do I help her with her Spanish school work?
The school provided breakfast and lunch for children under the age of 18 Monday-Friday. That was an unexpected blessing! Thank you for the food!
Workplaces closed, but essential workers kept working. Thank you essential workers!
Shocked by panic buying at the stores:
No hand soap.
No toilet paper.
No paper towels.
No potatoes.
No rice.
No eggs.
Where are the basics needed for our family?
Are people hoarding?
How bad is this virus?
Mixed messages arrived:
Wear a mask?
Don’t wear a mask?
Can’t use reusable bags to shop.
Plastic bags provided free of charge.
The virus will be gone by summer, we were told!
WASH YOUR HANDS. Doctors on television showing how to wash hands.
Who doesn’t wash their hands regularly?
Then, “Shelter in Place”
Scared.
Confused.
Exhausted from my three young children needing so many different things from me, it seemed, all the time.
Hiding in the bathroom for a five minute break.
Banging on the bathroom door, “Mooooommm.”
“Give me a minute, I’ll be right out.”
“Mooommmmm.”
Sigh…
I have had MANY moments where I wish this virus wouldn’t have happened or would’ve happened before I had children or when my children were older. I have been envious of people with older children (more independent and less clingy) and envious of my childless friends.
Keep my young children occupied! Keep them safe and entertained, keep them fed and do the housework, support them academically and emotionally.
Try to explain to them what is going on in the world, when I’m not even sure as to what is going on…
Mediate their arguments. Try to ignore the whining. Breathe.
Struggling to be in the PRESENT and not focus on the “what if’s.” Exhausted and overwhelmed.
No free time.
Conflicted.
Some friends shared how grateful they were to be home and have “family time.”
Why don’t I feel that way??? Am I a bad mom??? I should feel grateful too… I am just SO TIRED!
My husband is considered an “essential” worker so he’s unable to help at home, therefore “family time” is not possible.
The days BLUR from one to another:
No school days. No weekends. No after school activities or play dates.
Focus on the present. One day (one hour) at a time.
This too shall pass.
We are ALL going through highs and lows, some more than others. It’s nice to hear “we are all in this together” but sometimes it sounds too trite, too hollow.
Feeling isolated and alone.
Trying to stay sane.
Repeat the daily cycle. Be present with my children.
Play. Sing. Dance. Games.
Picnics in the living room.
Blanket forts.
Bike rides outside.
Socially distanced walks.
My four-year-old William yells “six feet away people” every time he sees someone on our walks.
“Why are the parks closed?” ask the children.
They plead, “When will the virus go away?”
They beg, “Why can’t we play with our friends?”
Social distancing has been a stressful test.
My youngest is not sleeping through the night…
My four-year-old and six-year-old wake up around 6:00 am every day…
I can’t sleep even though I want/need to!
Headaches. Anxiety.
Care packages exchanged with family, friends, and neighbors.
Grateful to have so many wonderful neighbors! We’ve exchanged food, beverages, material goods, and provide each other with emotional support.
Began howling at 8 pm (April-May) every night to honor essential workers, to feel a sense of community, and a chance to act silly.
FaceTime and Zoom calls, fearing my children will one day think technology is the “normal” way of communicating.
No more birthday parties. My eldest daughter Athena, was disappointed about not having a party. Instead we put a “Honk, It’s My Birthday” sign out front and I was grateful that so many people honked! Some friends stopped by and sang “Happy Birthday” (masks on) and we gave them cake to go. No candles (or spit) on the cakes.
My other daughter Zadie turned two. A similar success, with the “Honk, It’s My Birthday” sign out front, but the absence of family and friends celebrating made us sad.
Our family dog died on Zadie’s second birthday. Tiva enjoyed a long life of 15 years. And she certainly enjoyed the past several months of her life of being at home with the children continuously. Talk about a dogs dream come true!
Athena and William crying at bedtime for answers that could not be found.
When will Tiva wake up?
When will she come back?
What is a soul?
Missing the sound of her paws walking around.
Missing her warm body as she lay on their feet.
Missing her stinky dog farts…
She was such a GOOD DOG!
Rest in Peace our loving, energetic, patient, blanket-stealing dog, Tiva!
I feel like I am normally a strong person. I work hard, I want to be the best at all I do, but this year had me feeling like a snowball getting larger rolling downhill, and with so much change and confusion it hasn’t stopped rolling down the hill…
Monday, June 29th was “Day 105” of no school, no preschool, no music class, no Awana, no parks or libraries. And there were no concerts in the park, no movies in the park, and no public swims..
“Playground?” – Zadie to mommy.
“The playground is still closed.” – Mommy to Zadie
“Closed. Virus. Grandma help?” – Zadie to mommy
“No, grandma can’t open the parks.” – Mommy to Zadie
-July 7, 2020
Some family and friends tested positive for Covid-19.
Worried for them. Prayed for them.
Fortunately they recovered!
Summer is ending and my children now ask less often about things opening up… they ask less often about play dates… I’m worried about that too. I think my family has finally adjusted to this new reality… and I hate to think of it as a new reality.
I have gotten better about being PRESENT with my children. I’ve learned more about what they like and don’t like. I’ve learned they are kind, smart, funny, and brave, and they have creative, problem solving imaginations. And I am enjoying re-living childhood games with them:
Freeze tag.
Hide and Seek.
Red Light Green Light.
Frisbee.
Ring toss.
Bocce ball.
More mixed messages:
Wear a mask?
Don’t wear a mask?
Plastic bags are no longer provided free of charge in the stores.
You can now bring reusable bags into the stores, but bag your own purchases.
Ukiah Unified School District will start the public school year with at home “Distance Learning.” I spoke with the Principal and she said they are “much more prepared this time” and they have “more resources this time.”
My eldest daughter Athena is THRILLED to have a Chromebook (lap top) for Distance Learning. Her teacher seems nice and I am feeling more optimistic about Athena’s school year.
Athena’s Zoom Distance Learning sessions for the first month or so were somewhat stressful. She had a lot of websites to learn how to use and what to do on each site (and she’s learning in Spanish).
During Athena’s Distance Learning Zoom the first week of school:
“We can’t hear you.” – Mommy to Athena’s teacher
“Mom, you muted her.” – Athena to mommy
I am so glad my seven year old understands technology better than I do!
I need to keep my two year old entertained and safe and quiet(ish), while also helping Athena with her online Distance Learning. I sometimes feel like a ping pong ball…
Deep Valley Christian School, a private school, will open for in person schooling. I was excited and nervous. Do we send William (my four-year-old) or not?
William’s Private School opened in August and we follow CDC protocols:
Parents and students need to wear masks when dropping off and picking up.
Temperature check daily, wash hands.
Parents cannot enter the classroom. So sad for me, being a helicopter mom.
Kids bring their own snack, lunch, and water bottle.
We are so grateful they are open for in person schooling! I believe in person instruction is better for younger children, as they need to see real people and learn with real manipulatives.
My daughter Athena, is doing math manipulatives: counting blocks and using geoboards (rubber bands on square boards) online, on a screen. Children need real objects to touch, to manipulate, in order to best learn.
New routines and a “new reality” for the meantime are being established.
Athena and William are working hard on their schooling. I’m so proud of them for their effort and resilience!
Fire season arrived. Scary!
Heat. Smoke.
Can no longer go for walks or play outside. Going stir crazy with my three young children being stuck in the house for days on end… argghhh!
Ukiah Unified schools reopening in January. Excited and nervous and lots of questions. Spoke with the principal again. I need to make the BEST decision for my children: academically, socially, and emotionally.
“What’s a Covid tier?” – Mommy to daddy
“Someone crying because they have Covid.” – Athena to mommy
Halloween is coming. Please be “normal” for the children. I’ve been worried about my eldest daughter’s emotional state. I’m sad she is sad that she has been missing out on so much. Please let people participate in a holiday that people usually wear masks for.
Halloween Day: Halloween art, Halloween food, dressed up, and Trick or Treated. One out of every 8-10 houses participated. I thanked everyone who participated and provided the children with a sense of “normalcy” in this bizarre year. Also grateful to the neighbors who simply left out candy and hand sanitizer.
It’s almost winter and Covid-19 no longer has me scared, it has me feeling confused and frustrated.
Millions of people have caught Covid.
Hundreds of thousands have died from Covid.
Fortunately, everyone we know who caught Covid has survived, including my 88-year-old great uncle. It’s frustrating to be told to stay home and be cautious of a virus that might not be as harmful as predicted…
Open the small town mom and pop shops, open the restaurants, open the schools!
If this Covid virus is so dangerous, and government officials advise people not to travel, then CLOSE all the airports.
The shades of gray are confusing!
Either Covid is dangerous and all travel needs to stop, to stop the spread. Or the virus isn’t as bad as thought and we need to craft a reopening plan for normalization of society to return.
Thanksgiving is coming. What do we do? See Grandma and Grandpa or not?
We were doing supply exchanges every 3-5 weeks with them and waving and talking to them through the window. Do we celebrate together? We want to be together. We want to be healthy. Spoke with Grandma and Grandpa. Let’s get together!
Thanksgiving: Shoes off. Wash your hands. Windows opened. Fans on. Hang out. Play. Eat! Yum! Thanks for having us!
Christmas is coming. So grateful that our family and friends and neighbors are safe. So grateful that those we know who tested positive for Covid have all recovered. Grateful to be here still riding the roller coaster of life. 2020 has been a challenge and much more than an inconvenience.
However I have learned to be more present. I have learned to enjoy my young children and engage in play more. We are grateful for our health and for finding joy in the little things and moments. We have so much to be thankful for!
Hoping and praying that “normalcy” will resume sooner rather than later.
Hoping and praying 2021 will be better and will bring more happiness than sadness to all.