Being A Parent Is Hard Enough Without A Pandemic

Being a parent is hard. In fact, I’d argue, it’s just about the hardest job on this Earth.

Being a parent means you are constantly thinking of someone else besides yourself. The constant worry that you’re raising your children the right way and not raising another little asshole.

But then throw in a pandemic and you may as well just throw in the towel on it all. Or at least that’s what it feels like.

I already struggle with wondering if I am a good enough mom.

Do I work too much? Do I listen enough? Do my kids have everything they need from me? Am I just doing a good job at raising our next generation of humans?

I constantly worry I am making the wrong decision even when it feels right.

And this whole pandemic thing has me really wondering just how much all of that will be affected.

I’ve already noticed how we all seem to be sick of each other. And how most days we are bored out of our minds. After all, we’ve been stuck inside the same four walls for the last 18 months.

Some days I feel like we are in Groundhog Day and our lives are just on repeat.

But really, what is the alternative? Pretend things are normal and just go back to life pre-COVID? That sounds dangerous.

Sure, I’ve sought advice from our parents and grandparents and they have basically nothing to give in terms of advice.

“You guys must have it really hard, we never went through anything like this in our lifetime”.

Yeah we do have it really hard right now.

I am grateful we are live, healthy and I am able to work from home while keeping my kids home where it’s safe.

But it is hard. It is so hard, I can’t help but wonder why it isn’t being talked about more.

We all know parenting is hard. Parenting tests our patience, our kindness, and quite honestly, pushes our soul to it’s limits.

But parenting in a pandemic, in a time where people are far more hateful, stressed, sad and sick more than usual, how do we deal with that? How do we keep our kids safe, happy and healthy?

I wish I knew the answers but I don’t.

All I know is, parenting right now has got to be the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through and if you feel the same, know you are not alone.