Parenting Under Lockdown

Parenting is hard. On a normal day. In a normal world. But things are far from normal. But then again normal is relative. Parenting is the hardest job you will ever have and to add to this we’ve entered into a new world. One where you work from home, while schooling your kids, while cooking food, cleaning, and most importantly while holding onto your sanity. Some might say this is a ‘new normal’ but normal is so far from it.

There are days where it feels like the bus came and you missed it. Chilling in your pjs, trying to do something but not too much. Then there are days where you fly like the wind and breeze through the myriad of tasks and juggle the stay home, work home, life at home thing like a boss.

If that wasn’t bad enough we have to deal with job security fears, pay cuts, job losses, sickness and loss while still having to stay calm, happy and healthy for the little people literally watching our every move 24/7. And I don’t mean that in the figurative sense. There is barely a moment where I am without one of my kids. As much as I realise I will never get this time back and I should be happy to get to spend so much more time with them, I would appreciate it if they would at least leave me alone when I used the bathroom or took a shower. But no there’s always one just hanging around, or that has such a pressing question it can’t wait and that’s just Ava and Cara. Grayson can’t see me without crying because he isn’t glued to my hip.

Before lockdown we had just started getting used of our new normal. I had just started work after maternity leave. Ava started at her new school and Grayson was just about settling into his his nursery school and well Cara couldn’t wait to get back to her friends. 2 months in we were back to all being home together but this time it was very different and as time has gone it’s gotten progressively more difficult.

Parenting under lockdown is not for the faint hearted but here we are stuck in it. Some of us without any help. without a yard, with more kids than hands, with work and school. And as difficult as it is I’ve learnt a few lessons in the past few weeks.

I’ve learnt that you don’t have to do everything every day but you will have to do it eventually.

You will have to eventually do the washing and the dishes, and all that other stuff but you don’t have to do it all at once you just have to prioritise and do what you can.

It will still be there tomorrow but if you need to rest then rest. If you need to take time out do it.

I’ve learnt that a great way to keep your kids occupied while you work is to find an activity they can do.

I’ve learnt that I enjoy dressing up every once in awhile but I’m totally comfortable in my pjs, with my hair unbrushed and feet bare.

I’ve learnt that nothing is constant, the next few months are going to be uncertain but my family will be the one thing I can count on.

To everyone facing this difficult time, you can do it. There’s no secret formula for parenting under these conditions but reach out and reach up. Find what calms you, find what works for you and keep it at. The new normal won’t last forever.

Share your lockdown/ stay home parenting experience in the comments below.