As I sit here, I notice leaves swirling around inside my home. Recently, during one of our frequent drive-through outings, my daughter decided it was essential to bring her favorite blanket along for the ride. Usually, I would discourage this, urging her to keep her bedding on her bed to avoid the inevitable stains from fries and ketchup. But honestly, what joy does she have to look forward to these days? Not much, really.
So, I relented, and true to form, she trailed the blanket through the garage and into the car, only to bring it back inside, collecting some outdoor debris on the way—a few leaves, some twigs, and pine needles. You know what? I couldn’t care less. It reminds me of warm, sunny drives and snacking on fries in the parking lot.
This pandemic has undeniably shifted my lifestyle. Perhaps it’s the realization of living in the moment or the fact that I’m in a house full of kids 24/7, saving my energy for the battles that truly matter. I’ve come to understand that there’s no rush for chores; I have all the time in the world for housekeeping tasks or even personal grooming.
A more significant factor is that the initial chaos of this situation drained my energy reserves. To cope, I’ve found myself adopting a more relaxed, “dude-like” mentality. My laundry is behind, and my pantry is stocked with frozen pizzas, burritos, cookie-coated drumsticks, nacho supplies, and every kind of ramen imaginable. While I’ve always encouraged my kids to eat some fruit and veggies, I’ve accepted that during quarantine, if my daughter wants a leftover soda and to heat up chicken nuggets from last night’s fast food, why not? She deserves it. Keeping up with the “right” way to do things feels exhausting right now.
My daily attire has morphed into a cozy sweatshirt and a pair of shorts—because why not? Currently, I’m wearing my daughter’s oversized sweatshirt since it’s the only clean one available. I’ve stepped outside in my underwear more times than I can count since the stay-at-home order began.
The other day, I heard something on the news about replacing toothbrushes every three weeks, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. Our toothbrushes are just fine; my kids and I haven’t been near another soul in weeks. I simply can’t keep up with every detail.
When I receive emails from my children’s teachers about missing assignments, I casually forward them to my kids and let them handle it. I hardly recognize myself, and my kids certainly don’t see the uptight mom who used to monitor everything and felt compelled to maintain a perfect image.
At this point, I lack the energy for anything more than sipping soda, burping when I please, and whipping up more ramen, as that’s currently the highlight of my day. I have no desire to create color-coded schedules for my kids or tidy up the pantry. The laundry pile has grown, and I’m embracing this newfound freedom. I’m not changing the toilet paper roll if I don’t feel like it; whoever uses the bathroom next can handle that.
This experience is incredibly liberating. Parenting during a pandemic doesn’t come with a manual. Every day is about survival and doing what feels right for me in that moment. Interestingly, I see a lot of my ex-husband in this approach, and I don’t mind it one bit.
Society has long suggested that moms should juggle everything: work, household chores, and keeping the kids entertained, all while maintaining a happy relationship. Many women, including myself, have fallen into this trap, feeling the burden of responsibility. Men, on the other hand, often don’t carry the same weight of expectation when it comes to household duties.
Breaking this cycle has been refreshing, even if it took a pandemic to show me the light. Yes, I want this to end; yes, I care about my children’s health; yes, I long for a return to normalcy. But for now, it feels wonderful to not stress about how many vegetables they consume or to micromanage their activities.
Life currently involves ice cream for dinner and microwave popcorn as a late-night snack. It looks like an overflowing laundry basket and questionable fashion choices. This is me, living my best life in the moment, free from anyone else’s expectations, and it feels just fine.
For more insights and tips on home insemination, check out our privacy policy. Additionally, if you’re interested in at-home insemination options, visit this link. For useful information about fertility insurance, see this page.
Summary:
This article discusses the author’s relaxed approach to parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the shift from a structured lifestyle to a more carefree one. The author embraces the chaos, prioritizes moments of joy with her children, and expresses relief from societal pressures of perfection. By allowing more freedom in their daily choices, the author finds a sense of liberation amidst the uncertainty of quarantine life.