Although nurseries are still open, I gave in to fear and kept Aren at home with me, as cases of Covid-19 continue to rise. I acted on my gut feeling, which is often all we can do as parents. I might be right or wrong, but since I do not have a full-time job right now, I have the luxury to make such a choice and do not have the challenge of work to contend with. I know not everyone is in such a position and parents are being forced to be in situations that are extremely challenging, and the load is enormous.
In our case it has only been a week, but so far so good. I am trying to take each day as it comes, and when I am struggling, I remind myself that normal routine will return. I hope sooner rather than later for both of our sakes!
I am trying to be kind to myself and did not even beat myself when Aren overdosed on Peppa Pig the other day. I did try everything to prize him away, but I was told “I love Peppa too much”. In the past I would have condemned myself to be a bad mum, but I know now that is simply not true. Because each day, each hour and each minute is different. The next day he had hours of fresh air, bouncing from one thing to the next!
If you are struggling, please be compassionate with yourself. The world is crazy right now and you cannot be everything and everyone to your kids. Just offer what you can. In these uncertain times, what our kids need more than anything is to feel loved and secure, so if a day of Peppa Pig and cuddles is what they need, then let it be.
