Right now, there are leaves scattered all over my living room floor. Just the other day, during one of our many drive-through outings, my son insisted on bringing his comforter along for the ride. Normally, I would have put my foot down, insisting that his bedding stay in his room, safe from any fast-food spills. But honestly, what else does he have to look forward to these days? Not much.
So, I let it slide, and of course, he dragged that comforter all through the garage and into the car, bringing a bit of the outside world back with him—some leaves, sticks, and a few pine needles. You know what? I don’t even care. The mess on my floor reminds me of sunny days spent sharing fries in a parking lot.
The pandemic has shifted my perspective on life. Perhaps it’s the realization that living in the moment has become more important than ever. Or maybe it’s just that being cooped up with my kids means I need to conserve my energy for the battles that actually matter. There’s no urgency to keep up with housekeeping or even shave my legs—I have all the time in the world for that.
But the bigger truth is that the initial stress of this situation drained me, and the only way I can navigate this chaos is to embrace a more laid-back attitude. My laundry pile has never been more daunting, and my kitchen is stocked with frozen pizzas, burritos, cookie-covered drumsticks, and every type of ramen imaginable.
Sure, I used to encourage my kids to eat healthy and put together decent dinners, but this is quarantine—every meal counts. If my son wants to heat up last night’s chicken nuggets and wash them down with leftover soda, more power to him. Keeping up with the “right” choices is just too much for me right now.
My daily attire has become a sweatshirt and a pair of underwear—today, I’m wearing my son’s sweatshirt because it’s the only clean thing around. I’ve stepped outside in my undies more times than I can count since the stay-at-home order began.
When I saw a news report suggesting we should replace our toothbrushes every three weeks, I couldn’t help but laugh. Our toothbrushes are perfectly fine since we haven’t been near anyone else in weeks, and the thought of keeping up with that feels impossible.
When I receive emails from my kids’ teachers about missing assignments, I simply forward them to my kids with a casual, “You handle it.” I hardly recognize myself, and my kids certainly don’t recognize this relaxed version of mom. The uptight parent who constantly oversaw everything is long gone.
Instead, I find myself indulging in soda and more ramen, embracing the excitement of these little pleasures. I refuse to color-code my kids’ schoolwork or tackle the laundry mountain. I’m not changing the toilet paper roll if I don’t feel like it—whoever needs it next can figure it out.
This newfound freedom is incredibly liberating. Parenting during a pandemic doesn’t come with a manual. Day by day, I focus on surviving my mood and following my instincts, and this is what works for me.
I often think of my ex-husband, and surprisingly, I don’t mind it. Society has long dictated that moms should do it all—juggle work, household chores, and keep the kids entertained while also maintaining a happy marriage. I fell into that trap, as many women do, believing that the heavy lifting was my responsibility alone. Men, on the other hand, don’t carry that same burden of judgment if they don’t manage everything perfectly.
Breaking free from that norm has been refreshing, even if it took a pandemic to open my eyes. Yes, I want all this to end, and I care deeply about my kids’ safety, but for now, it feels good to not stress over how many vegetables my kids consume or micromanage their activities.
Right now, life looks like ice cream for dinner and microwave popcorn at bedtime. It’s about overflowing laundry baskets and questionable outfit choices, all while embracing the freedom of living up to no one’s expectations but my own. And you know what? It’s working just fine.
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Summary
In a candid reflection on quarantine life, the author reveals how the pandemic has shifted her parenting approach, embracing a more relaxed lifestyle that prioritizes moments of joy over perfection. With less emphasis on routine and more on enjoying simple pleasures, she finds liberation in letting go of societal expectations, opting for ice cream dinners and messy homes while navigating the challenges of parenting during an unprecedented time.
Keyphrase: Parenting during quarantine
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