DAY 21

I’m writing to you from the sanctity of my closet. It’s quiet, and perhaps I can put a few words on paper before the children find me. That’s right; I’m enjoying—or surviving—the COVID-19 quarantine at home with two small children.

What does it look like? Well, it looks like two parents who are, first and foremost, grateful for each other, for jobs that allow us to work from home and still provide income for our family, for a comfortable home, and for health and safety. We are all together, and we are all safe.

Being at home during this pandemic with a toddler and preschooler has its challenges, though. From morning ‘til night, it’s pretty much hands-on, nonstop activity. Peaceful periods during which the kids get along and play sweetly together are punctuated by sudden fights, hair-pulling, and toy-swiping.

There are also meltdowns of unknown or irrational causes. For example, things might be going swimmingly until you present a snack in the wrong bowl. How dare you?

After the tears, tantrums and timeouts, the hugs and conversations, you realize it’s now lunchtime and no one is dressed and you haven’t been outside yet.

The days often feel like a tangled mass of elements and expectations—you are trying to keep your kids engaged; create space for them to explore, create, learn and play; feed them well; keep them from harming themselves or each other; enjoy the outdoors; keep up with the housework; and maybe find a little time to yourself to recharge or exercise.

Not to mention building in time to work! Like so many others who are at home with small children, my husband and I are trying to balance giving each other work time and watching the kids.

Forget about sleeping in, catching up on your favorite shows, reorganizing closets, or learning a new language. Trying to enjoy a hot meal or do anything with efficiency is a lost cause, and you can cut your list of expectations for each day in half.

On the flip side, being at home with small children means you are never starved for affection. Between the moments that make you want to scream into a pillow are the sweetest hugs and kisses, the best side-splitting laughing fits, the cutest one-liners that you always mean to write down but are sure to forget, and (a few) quiet moments where you can breathe deeply of the privilege of raising these tiny humans.

Our hands may be full, but thankfully, so are our hearts.

Amy McCloskey
Director of Special Events

Check out Part 2 of Amy’s Corona Chronicles next Tuesday, June 16.