Why is it I cringe when I have a video meeting and knowing I won’t have the help to watch my daughter?
Like many other moms, we have found ourselves working from home with babies, toddlers and teenagers at home as well. I am very grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to keep working but I was very stressed on March 13th when the governor announced that schools were closing. Even though my daughter is in daycare, and daycares were still open, I knew eventually they would close. I remember sitting at my desk in my cubical at work, crying big crocodile tears. I didn’t know what was next. Being a control freak by nature, I could not control this situation and that bothered me more than anything. How was I, a single mom (who is successfully co-parenting) to a 2 year old going to do this? How would I get any work done? Will I even still have my job? Being a work at home mom was never in my plan. EVER. I praise stay at home moms every day because – more power to you!
I remember thinking we would have some sort of schedule – wake up, breakfast, arts and craft, outside time, flash cards, so forth and so on — well let’s be honest, that did not happen AT ALL. The first week I was thankful that her dad was able to keep her so I could get my work done and get my ducks in a row to start this new normal. The first week at home working with my 2 year old was tough, actually the first 3 or 4 weeks were tough. Hell, they are still tough but we are making it work.
I was always so nervous when I had meetings like I was the only one in the world who was going through this situation with a crazy 2 year old toddler running around while on a conference call. But as we enter week 8 (honestly, I’ve lost count) it doesn’t bother me as much. Why? Because I am not alone. Moms, we have gotten through this, we can get through anything. And I mean anything. No one would have never guessed this was going to happen but just like any other situation, we just make it work and do the damn thing.
As the stay at home order comes to an end and we enter Phase 1, I am curious what our newer normal will be. But knowing us moms, we will make it work! Stay safe, wash your hands and stay 6ft away. You do what is best for you and your family!
