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Let’s get real; the past year has not been fun, and everyone alive would probably agree. No one expected to be struck with a global pandemic that would handicap our freedom. But we survived. Most of us did, and it hasn’t been easy. For me, the biggest challenge was to balance work while my kids were home all the time. With virtual learning becoming the norm, it wasn’t easy to navigate my kids’ daily troubles and difficulties while also managing work worries. Being a working mother when you have no space or freedom for yourself is extremely difficult. My kids always wanted me around, and that might sound like a good thing but trust me, it’s not.
Of course, there are a few things I appreciate about the pandemic. The quality time I spent with my family and how close we got was something that would have never happened if it wasn’t for the pandemic. My kids and I shared moments of laughter every day. I was hilarious. I kid you not; I was funny and entertaining. But now, the funny bone in my body has disappeared, and that’s what I miss. I miss my humor, and I only have my stress to blame for it.
Worrying about getting everything right has increased my levels of stress. I have to keep things ready for my kids, meet deadlines at work and make time for household chores. Cooking and cleaning the house are chores I cannot ignore, and it’s getting tougher by the day. What do I do when I need a break from being a mom? No, I don’t mean that I want to abandon my children, of course. But sometimes, I need a break from my mommy duties. I want to do nothing. But I also feel bad to deny my kids the free entertainment I provided before this pandemic came along.
My ability to tickle your funny bone no longer exists, and that makes me sad. But it got me thinking, should I be fun right now? Is that a top priority? The answer is no, of course. I spend my day making sure that my work deadlines are met, and the household chores are done. I think I’d rather deprive my kids of some humor and laughter than neglect their food intake. Right? Well, yes. That’s probably the correct answer.
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But, the most I thought about, the more I realized that laughing together is also essential. They are stressed too, and it’s not fair that they have to deal with a grumpy mommy. It’s tough out there as it is, and I don’t need to add to the challenges. My children’s emotional needs are just as important as their physical needs, and if I cannot keep them both fulfilled, am I the mother I think I am?
Juggling between being a mother and handling major work responsibilities made me realize that we are all stressed, including my kids. No one imagined that we would have to survive a global pandemic and thought about its ramifications in all our lives. A little fun and entertainment might be just what we need to make the whole experience lighter in our daily lives. It might just be the stress buster we are all looking for.
Yes, I’m not a fun parent right now. But I need to step up my game and be one, at times. I have started taking some time for myself, which has helped me manage my mood and stress. My kids and partner give me that time and space to rejuvenate, and now I’m back to my hilarious self. Dear parents, it’s not your fault that you and your family had to go through a pandemic, but it is your responsibility to keep your kids safe and happy during this time. Honestly, that’s just what your family needs right now!
