I think we can all agree that COVID sucks. But as I was driving away from Maverick’s daycare this morning, I had a thought: COVID has let me off the hook as a mom.
Hear me out. I love my kids. I play blocks and Barbies even though I don’t want to. But mommin’ ain’t easy, and the Coronavirus has let us all slack just a little.
So anyway. I was leaving Mav’s daycare and I thought–COVID procedures save me sooo much time. I’m never late for work (I’m early!) because rather than doing the whole song and dance of drop off (which pre-COVID was, park, take him in, check him on computer, walk him to class, allow him to hang his own backpack and coat, have him wash and dry his hands, hug/goodbye ritual), we know can’t go in the building, so we drop our kids at the door, the daycare has them sanitize and they take a quick temp, and off parents go on their merry ways. I mean, it takes like 2-3 minutes. Same at the end of the day–I used to go in, check him out, have him go potty, gather his stuff, say goodbyes..it was time-consuming! Now, I call when I’m a few minutes away, and he’s waiting at the door for me when I arrive. Again, in and out and I AM HERE FOR IT.
Silver linings.
Oh! Another thing! No parties I need to either leave work for or feel guilty not leaving work for. We can’t go into Harlyn or Mav’s school, so their parties are a guilt-free experience for me this year. Have fun, kids!! Mommy will see ya tonight! Same for field trips and other things that normally I have to feel like a terrible mom for not wanting to do. They don’t exist in COVID! Off the hook once again.
By now you’re like, OMG, what a terrible mom (if you’ve stumbled upon this blog for the first time. If you’ve been around for a bit you know that I’m actually a quite average mom who loves her kids but also loves working and alone time). It’s not that I won’t do these things for my kids if they really want me to…it’s just that I have a lot going on outside of my kids’ lives, and if they don’t have an opinion on my presence, I dip out.
Enough defending. I am who I am on this whole motherhood journey. #sorrynotsorry
COVID also allows us to have a very convenient excuse for being homebodies (and all the introverts are yelling “amen!” right now at this post!). If I want to snuggle with my kids at home for 48 hours straight every weekend, there’s not gonna be any judgment at this point in our quarantine/socially distant lives. Other moms don’t care right now if I live in comfy clothes and never enroll my kids in a sport or activity. I’m JUST BEING SAFE, Y’ALL!! 😉
All I’m saying is–yes, COVID has radically changed all of our lives. Some have lost people close to them. Others are battling it right as I type. And that is a tragedy. At this point in my life, I’m choosing to see the good things and focus less on the bad (because MENTAL HEALTH) so today, I want you to know: it’s okay to be enjoying a slower season with no school parties and parents not allowed in the building. It’s okay to be okay with virtual Christmas programs (although I have to say–I am kinda sad about not seeing Harlyn’s Christmas program in person this year. I truly do enjoy the real, live, in person experience that is).
Choose JOY this December. Even in a world that feels dark a lot of the time, find the tiny, small wins. And keep them close to your heart.
