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I’m about to share a moment that stripped away my last bit of dignity. But first, let’s talk about the challenges of this past year. While we’ve been fortunate — no COVID cases in our family, stable jobs, and our kids (now three and five) safe with daycare reopening — we are utterly exhausted. Each night, we collapse into bed like a herd of elephants. Our children have had a peculiar year, adjusting to seeing us work from home and dealing with virtual daycare. One day, while driving to get donuts, our then-four-year-old sighed, “Remember going places?”
In our quest to survive, we resorted to tea parties, increased screen time, takeout meals, and even Science Sundays. I found myself binge-watching every Disney movie available, including Lion King 1.75. As a child psychologist, I empathized deeply with my clients, often reminding them, “This is SO HARD,” while trying to remain composed.
Social Challenges for Lily
For my oldest, whom I’ll call Lily, social interactions have been particularly tough. Last weekend, a friend from daycare invited the class to an outdoor gathering. Lily was thrilled — bouncing in her seat and hardly paying attention to the Story Pirates podcast. We packed sunscreen, a bathing suit, and all the essentials, thinking we were prepared. What I didn’t expect was her reaction upon arrival.
Seeing all those friendly faces was exhilarating for me, a taste of freedom after so many months. But Lily, usually an extrovert, was suddenly withdrawn. She held my hand tightly, looking scared. “Want me to help you say hi to your friends?” I offered, but she hesitated. Eventually, she timidly approached her friends who were engrossed in slip-n-slide fun, asking in a barely audible voice, “Do you want to play with me?” Naturally, they declined, absorbed in their activities, and my heart ached for her.
A Leap into the Sprinklers
Feeling desperate, I didn’t know whether to intervene, engage her in conversation, or validate her feelings. I decided to take a leap. I looked over at the other parents, who were happily chatting while their kids played. With a deep breath, I put my phone down, kicked off my flip-flops, and proclaimed, “I’m doing this!” I took off sprinting, right into the sprinklers.
The cool water was refreshing as my glasses fogged up and mud squished beneath my feet. I hadn’t brought a change of clothes, and my hair was a wet mess, but it felt liberating. Lily joined me, and soon we were laughing together, splashing and dancing. Other kids jumped in too, and just like that, we formed a lively group of carefree runners.
Parenting Through Chaos
The moment my daughter was born, I unexpectedly felt a fierce protectiveness; I’d do anything for her, even fight a bear. Parenting has been a chaotic blend of joy, struggle, and heartache, especially this past year. My dad once told me that having a child means your heart lives outside your body, and I’ve felt that deeply — sharing in every joy and pain they experience.
I’ve shed many tears in response to the losses others faced this year, fueled by COVID and social injustices. At times, my emotions felt overwhelming, like labor pains I had to breathe through. Yet, amidst the chaos, we found moments of joy and triumph. Ultimately, I choose joy over decorum. So next time you see me, I’ll be the one in the sprinklers, running with abandon.
Further Reading
For more insights on navigating parenting during challenging times, check out this related post on home insemination. Also, if you’re looking for expert information on insemination options, visit Make a Mom for their authoritative resources. For additional guidance on family planning, RESOLVE offers excellent information.
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In summary, the challenges of parenting during a pandemic have been immense, but they’ve also led to unexpected moments of joy and connection. Embracing playful spontaneity can help us navigate the tough times with grace and laughter.
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