Regular readers know I usually write about content strategy, digital marketing, branding, and other topics for business owners. But today I come to you with a new topic – parenting during a shelter in place order.
While the concept of teaching and entertaining your kids at home is usually reserved for homeschool platforms and craft blogs, parents across the nation have become teachers and entertainers overnight. The sudden shift in our roles has been met with a collective sigh of frustration and dread. Parents, who already feel burnt out from having to get their kids to and from every activity under the sun, are now overwhelmed by the idea of having to be everything for their children every moment of every day. Or we were overwhelmed, initially.
In our house, I went through all the stages – disbelief, anger, resistance, sadness. Like some sort of progression through the stages of grief over the last 12 days, I ultimately landed at acceptance. I settled in. We settled in. We’re now a household with two parents working from home (one feverishly doing his part to support a global supply chain, and the other self-employed and creating content for businesses that need to reassure their customers) and two littles (one of which will celebrate her second birthday during this time at home).
I still get a little choked up when I think about the things we’ve missed and will be missing in the coming weeks. We had tickets to local happenings, trips planned, annual events on the calendar, celebrating Easter at church, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience to look forward to. But those have been replaced with crafts, playing in the yard, and trying to get work done with little people around that are constantly asking for attention. But most of all I’m thankful. I’m thankful to have the kind of jobs that are still needed and can be done remotely where our risk of exposure is much lower.
So, if you’re fortunate enough to be in the same position because you haven’t been laid off or furloughed, here are some tips to help you balance it all:
While the concept of teaching and entertaining your kids at home is usually reserved for homeschool platforms and craft blogs, parents across the nation have become teachers and entertainers overnight. The sudden shift in our roles has been met with a collective sigh of frustration and dread. Parents, who already feel burnt out from having to get their kids to and from every activity under the sun, are now overwhelmed by the idea of having to be everything for their children every moment of every day. Or we were overwhelmed, initially.
In our house, I went through all the stages – disbelief, anger, resistance, sadness. Like some sort of progression through the stages of grief over the last 12 days, I ultimately landed at acceptance. I settled in. We settled in. We’re now a household with two parents working from home (one feverishly doing his part to support a global supply chain, and the other self-employed and creating content for businesses that need to reassure their customers) and two littles (one of which will celebrate her second birthday during this time at home).
I still get a little choked up when I think about the things we’ve missed and will be missing in the coming weeks. We had tickets to local happenings, trips planned, annual events on the calendar, celebrating Easter at church, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience to look forward to. But those have been replaced with crafts, playing in the yard, and trying to get work done with little people around that are constantly asking for attention. But most of all I’m thankful. I’m thankful to have the kind of jobs that are still needed and can be done remotely where our risk of exposure is much lower.
So, if you’re fortunate enough to be in the same position because you haven’t been laid off or furloughed, here are some tips to help you balance it all:
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