Another early dismissal? Another snow day? I think that we can all admit we are exhausted by winter and COVID, but it may be hard to admit that we are exhausted by parenting too. Well, I am going to put it out there. I feel like my parenting reserves are severely depleted these days. This means that I have less patience, I am crankier, and I have a lower threshold for the day-to-day at home.
Normally, even when our parenting skills are entirely depleted, we might depend on a friend or family member to give us a respite. The reality of COVID is that there isn’t really a respite. When you and your partner argue over who gets to go to the grocery store, you know you have hit a new low. Prior to COVID, I would say “ugh, there is a line at Trader Joe’s”. Now, I am thinking, “I hope the line is pretty long so that I can have a little alone time while waiting in line.” Being a parent is already difficult, but these days, it seems like we are on a reality show of “Survivor, Parent Edition”.
Even school is not a respite since they don’t quite seem to be in school (either in-person or virtual) with the weather these days. The irony is that I have a hard time not taking it all on myself. I tend to fall on my sword a bit. My husband always offers to watch the kids so I can have time for myself, and I just can’t seem to take it or use it effectively. It is hard to take that time when there really is nowhere to go. I can’t seem to shut it off even though I know I need it. [Read more…] about Parenting in the Age of COVID