Just about one month ago, our lives as we know it were turned upside down. Schools were closed, most businesses were closed, playgrounds closed, and any contact with anyone other that your immediate family wasn’t allowed (except for essential business workers).
Navigating homeschooling for our oldest, managing our properties, overseeing our businesses and working remotely, and looking after our other two children without any help were our new normal. Sometimes I’m not even sure how we get through each day…. between the 9382 emails from school (haha,) working on different projects for our businesses at home, and keeping my other 2 kids happy and engaged my head is spinning.
Trust me, there are times when I feel like I’m going to lose it. Like when the older two are fighting and they’ve been awake for about 2 minutes. Or when the baby throws every. single. book. on the floor that was in the bookshelf (like 70 books, not lying lol) while the other two are running around being crazy…and let’s be honest. There’s no escape. Someone always wants something. You feel pressure from homeschool, from work, you’re trying to keep the house clean, do laundry, try to be present for every kid and every stage that each kid is in (I could write a novel about balancing that…SO HARD )
….basically…be SUPERWOMAN. And these feelings are totally legit, that every mom feels at some point, especially during a really difficult time as this.
But…What keeps me going during this time is that we are HEALTHY and SAFE. And that our only problems are trying to keep peace at home, and to keep our kids learning, and work from home. But its still hard.
There’s a lot of chaotic, messy, crazy moments with 3 boys 5 & under. Especially when you literally can’t go anywhere and the good weather hasn’t hit yet.
And while there’s a lot of moments where I need to go take a deep breath (or hide in the basement) haha, there’s moments I know we ‘ll never forget. Special moments.
Like the extra time my older two sons get together and how they play ALL DAY together and have become even closer (they fight hard and love hard)
The extra time with my husband (he was due to be traveling A LOT during March-June).
The extra time I have with my baby.
The slower mornings.
The movie nights and different traditions we have started.
ALLLLL of the outside time my oldest son is getting that he woulden’t have had.
More time to work out (yes, its a little different, but I’m able to prioritize it in a different way)
Family Walks . All of the walking!
So, I wanted to share how I am getting through Quarantine with 3 kids 5 & under…….
How I’m getting through Quarantine with 3 kids 5 & under
Take it one day at a time: This is really what I’m living by. I don’t think about yesterday, or tomorrow. Or how long this is going to go on. I just get it done, one day at a time.
Know that they are watching: This has been, and has continued to be a really, really difficult time for all of us. For some of us its been mentally. For some of us financially. And for some us physically. And for some, all of the above. Just remember that your little ones are watching how you handle stress, adversity, and uncertainty. This is undoubtably the most important lesson that you will teach your children over this time. Not the alegebra question they were needing help with, the papers they need to write, or the books they need to read. They will learn positive (or negative) attitudes. They will see you handle this with optimism, grace, gratitude and even humor through the day. If that isn’t enough motivation, I don’t know what is.
Outside, Outside, Outside. I highly, highly recommend getting your kids outside. I can’t stress enough that the one positive of this whole thing is the outdoor time that we are ALL getting. If you haven’t realized, we are an active family and so are my kids. Humans were not meant to be sedentary and stay inside. GET OUTDOORS. I hate that my oldest son doesn’t go outside when he’s at school and this is just a blessing for him. He loves it and is out there in every temperature, rain or shine! (trust me, we live in upstate NY!)
Keep your blinders on: Even though we don’t physically see each other IRL, we still are connected through social media and technology. If I could give any advice, it would be don’t be affected by what everyone else is doing. The mom who does all the super cute crafts, or the pinterest mom who is baking with her kids every day, or the mom who is basically like a teacher. You are the best mom for YOUR kids and whatever you’re doing right now is the BEST you can do and the RIGHT thing to do. What we are being asked to do right now is impossible. Many of us are trying to work from home, watch multiple aged children AND homeschool. Give yourself grace. Everyone is in a different situation.
Take breaks: Remember when you were in college and you would study, study, study and need a pizza break? Well..kids are the same. If things aren’t working with school, siblings are fighting…whatever. Take a break. Have a timeout. Go outside. Then regroup.
Its OKAY if you’re kids are bored. Guys…I don’t know about you…but my mom certainly didn’t fill up my day with activities when I was home from school! Allow your kids to be bored. To find things to do. Entertain themselves. I’m not saying all day, but pockets of time where they have free time is crucial to their development, independence and creativity.
Speak positive affirmations every single day: even on the hard days when you slightly don’t believe it! I know that self-talk works, because I used it when I was a pro athlete. During training, game day, off season. Things like “ I’m excited to create memories",” …”I will focus on the positive of every situation today…". honestly help. If someone gave you $1,000 and you lost .85 of that $1,000 would you throw all of it away? Absolutely not. Shit happens. Move on. Don’t let seconds or minutes of your day affect the whole day.
Stick to a morning routine: I think this really helps us not feel like every day is a vacation! I always, always get dressed (even if its leggings) and honestly I feel better about myself & feel more productive when I’m put together..so I throw on some makeup a few days a week too. It sends the message right away that I’m ready for the day and its going to be a productive day!
Work out with your kids: We have done everything with our kids….I run, my oldest bikes. We walk, the kids bike or walk as well. I lift weights in the basement, and the boys swing on their gymnastics bar. As loud and crazy as it is, I know I’m setting a great example for them and spending time doing something we all love! You would be surprised how much good a workout can be for everyone mentally and physically.
Life is full of choices: Life is full of choices. You can choose to go through this time negatively…or just accept that this is the way it is and nothing (even a bad attitude) is going to change it!…There will be good days..and some not so good days. This is part of life, and certainly part of parenting…especially when parenting during a pandemic! Not having a break is hard. Really hard. But choosing to be positive a majority of the time will just make it easier on everyone and teach your child the biggest life lesson they will ever learn.
How are you guys getting through the quarantine with kids? Talk to me!
xo
Alex