My partner left this shopping list:
- Whiskey
- Butter
- Chipotle Tabasco sauce
- Habanero Tabasco sauce
And that’s it. We have plenty of meat in the freezer and extra eggs and toilet paper. However, we could use fresh vegetables. This list perfectly reflects our life during the COVID-19 lockdown.
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the UK, we’re advised to remain indoors until mid-February or possibly longer. Here’s what a typical day looks like for us: We wake up and linger in bed. My partner reads while I do a bit of reading and writing. Our daughter connects with her friends on FaceTime, then switches to Microsoft Teams for her lessons.
My partner and I take showers and throw on our comfy day pajamas—think oversized fleece hoodies and sweatpants, a style we fondly refer to as “teenage girl chic.” We all have these cozy hoodies, which my partner found for a steal online. I’m not usually one to promote online shopping (after all, the CEO is unreasonably wealthy), but these sweatshirts are a delight.
I brew coffee (sometimes my partner does) and feed the dog, sending him out to our tiny garden, where I no longer worry if he does his business. Breakfast follows, with my partner working from the kitchen while our daughter attends school in her room. Occasionally, I catch snippets of her classes, but I don’t do it often. Gone are the days when we were hyper-involved with her education. Now, we simply hope the Wi-Fi holds up.
I take the dog for a walk, wash him, and even blow-dry him. At some point, my partner goes for a run, while I write something like this. Lunch can be hit or miss; today, I opted for pizza delivery. Sometimes it’s leftovers, or I tell my daughter to prepare her own meal—perhaps carrots, cheese, and some fruit. If she’s lucky, there’s prosciutto. When I’m not paying attention, she sneaks chips and chocolate. I choose to overlook it.
I used to be someone who folded laundry right out of the dryer and swept away leaves that blew inside. Now I try to remember to pay bills, schedule vet appointments, and not forget my daughter’s eye check-up. I jot these tasks down on a calendar, but with so few events, I sometimes forget to check it.
I sift through countless emails from my daughter’s school. With kids learning from home, we parents have become quasi-teachers. I often call a friend, Lisa, who also has a child at the school, for a quick update.
By 5 p.m., we wrap up our work. In the past, my partner and I would enjoy a drink around 7 p.m. Now, it’s a cocktail in a chilled glass by 6 p.m. (okay, maybe even earlier). My partner has perfected a martini recipe that I must share because they truly are that good.
MARTINI RECIPE
- 3 parts gin (we use Brixton Gin)
- 1 part vodka (we use Grey Goose)
- 1/2 part secret ingredient (Cocchi’s Americano aperitif)
- A twist of lemon peel
Before dinner, our daughter hops back on FaceTime. Some days she bathes; other days, she skips it. Every few days, I wash her hoodie on the hottest cycle. We play with the dog, toss a ball in the house, and try to prevent him from chewing our rugs and cords.
Sometimes, we work on a puzzle, while my partner strums his guitar. I remind myself how lucky we are (and we truly are). Occasionally, I cook, but most of the time, it’s my partner whipping up something delicious. Last night, we enjoyed mussels in a savory red sauce with chorizo, garlic, onion, and coriander. Guess who was the chef?
We play Rummy during dinner, which I count as family time. After our meal, our daughter returns to FaceTime and Roblox. I’m less concerned about her screen time these days. She’s navigating another lockdown, missing her friends and a school she loves, so I want her to connect with them however she can.
We wrap up the evening by watching “The Durrells,” a show about a British family living in Corfu before the Second World War. It’s become our evening ritual, and we sometimes indulge in two episodes while sipping whiskey and soda. The dog joins us on the couch, breaking our no-furniture rule.
Finally, we head back to bed, read a bit, turn off the lights, and prepare to do it all over again tomorrow.
For more insights on home insemination, check out one of our other blog posts at this link. If you’re looking for authoritative information, visit Make A Mom. For comprehensive guidance on pregnancy, the CDC is an excellent resource.
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Summary:
The pandemic has caused our family standards to relax, and we’re embracing the changes. Our daily routine has evolved to include comfy clothing, simplified meals, and new forms of family interaction. We find joy in small moments, like enjoying cocktails together and watching shows, while also recognizing the importance of staying connected with friends and adapting to the challenges of remote learning.