Are you okay?

Blogger: Sash

Life in the last few months has certainly shown us all that some things are not in our control.

So this week, I'm checking up on you. Are you okay? How are you coping? If you are working from home, especially with young children, how are you juggling being a parent and a teacher?

Who would have thought that life could come to the point where grandparents and grandchildren would have to deliberately not be in physical contact? Or that we would be in the house with the same people, all day, every day with limited interaction with our wider family and community? Or that going to the gym or the park or the shopping centre would be considered a luxury? It feels surreal.

It's these times that show what we are truly made of.

A snippet from my home in the last 6 days...

Like many of you my family and I have been working from home. My son's been at Daycare since 8 months. So this is new.

Juggling breakfast, skype meetings, baths, spreadsheets, teleconference, lunch, activities, kid on lap while trying to get some work done has been tough. And is it not at that very moment when you are on a work call when your 3 year old suddenly lights up and says 'Mummy, can I have a snack? Mummy, mummy can I have a bath (just because he loves bubbles!)?' And of course the call is not on mute!

Third day in, I came up with a strategy...a schedule of activities for my 3yr old. On that day we managed to get 10% of the schedule completed! It's different to the weekend when you can fully dedicate your time to your child/ren.

After a few days of contemplation that this new way of life may end up going on for at least a few months, I've made up my mind to accept the things I cannot change. I cannot change being in the house. But I can make the most of it and change one thing...my perspective.

I've longed for the day when I could work from home and have my child at home with me. You know how it is? Dreaming of something to happen and when it does you don't know what to do! Now it's here. These are precious moments. So instead of whining, let's see how we can make this work.

I've started to look for new ways to juggle work whilst taking care of him. With food, instead of him asking for snacks at the most awkward moments, I prepare his fruits, vege, yoghurt etc and place it on the kitchen counter. That way the sweet snacks are avoided (together with the sugar rush!).

Activities. I've looked for things that would keep him engaged with minimal intervention from me. Like painting, play dough. Reading and writing is first thing in the morning instead of in the evening as I find he is more alert. We've left the puzzles for the evenings. Lunch time we spend outside in the backyard which is great not only for our mental health but that vital dose of Vitamin D!

With meetings, his dad keeps him while he is working so I can have a snack free meeting! If we both are having meetings at the same time, I make sure he would not need anything to ensure minimal disruption. Let's face it, sometimes I have to throw in a bribe or two to have some silence. Me bad!

There's so many positives with this negative situation the world has found itself in. It may seem like we have been forced to spend time with the ones in our household. But it is definitely a blessing. A strong family unit will definitely result in a strong society. We've gained time - the time we would spend commuting for example. This time is teaching us to be innovative and creative. We will adapt and we will get through this. Stronger and better.

One thing's for sure; the excitement on my son's face seeing us all at home speaks volumes. Or when he says 'mummy, I love it when you sit next to me all day' reminds me that it's the simple things that matter.

This season is new for not only the parents but also the children. So I'm also learning not to be too hard on myself or my son. We'll make mistakes just like other times but we will grow and learn. Together...

This is definitely a work in progress Blog post as I'm still figuring out a few things like separating work and home time, setting up more outdoor activities that we can do together etc. So please share your tips of how you have been making it work with your young children as it will definitely help this Rookie Parent!

One of the simplest changes we have made is limiting the amount of news we watch. Your mental health and well-being is important. If you are struggling you are not alone, please click on the useful links below.

Australia: Mental health and well-being during corona virus outbreak

UK: Mental health and well-being during corona virus outbreak

America: Mental health and well-being during corona virus outbreak

Please like and share. I'm sure there's at least one person who may be encouraged :)

Your fellow Rookie Parent

Sash

I am an Accountant, Author and Blogger. Home is Australia with my husband and 3 year old son.

I believe that in sharing we grow.  And that's how this website and blog was born focusing on children and parents. It sure does take a village to raise a family and build a home.

It's so easy to forget 'you' on this journey. This website's here to remind you not to!