As we approach the one year mark of the pandemic and our new way life for now, I had some thoughts. Maybe I was just naive or maybe it was just that I didn’t think it would actually get as bad as it did, but I never would have guessed one year ago that this was how the past year would have gone. 1 Year Post Pandemic Reflection
I sat in my oldest daughter’s classroom on a Friday afternoon, volunteering in her language arts class. Little did I know that not only would this be the last time she was in this classroom but also the last time she would be in this school. Her teacher tapped me on the shoulder and whispered that the school was canceling classes for the following week. I nonchalantly thought it would be a week or two and then we would be “back to normal”. I told my daughter to make sure she had all her belongings packed up and anything she thought she would need for the next week or two. We unknowingly left her elementary school for the very last time together.
The first 2 weeks we were at home actually seemed a little exciting. The kids could sleep in some and I was excited to try my hand at some “homeschool” activities and learning. We’re very much homebodies and I was loving having my kids home. We were going to do our part and help flatten the curve.
As those 2 weeks turned into 3 weeks and then 5 weeks, then online school- it got real. As in real hard- real hard to school 3 children on the computer (one of which has ADHD, anxiety & Tourette’s) and still keep a preschooler entertained. Really hard to tell your kids they can’t play with their friends or see their grandparents. Hard to tell your kids summer vacation was cancelled. Hard to keep the kids busy and active while your husband is upstairs in your bedroom running a business and making conference calls. Hard to deal with the unknown. No more in person therapy appointments for your kids. It was hard to explain that we basically had to shut everything down.
I’m not exactly sure when it finally sunk in for me that this was going to be our way of life for now but I started to try and look at it from another perspective. I had to for my mental well being as well as my family. I started to find the positive. I knew there were people who were affected so much more so than us and for that I wanted to acknowledge it. 1 Year Post Pandemic Reflection
I looked at the quarantine as a time for us to really be together as a family. My husband and I worked out together some mornings or just sat and had a cup of coffee together- none of the rushing out the door to school & work. More meals were cooked at home. More movies on the couch. I felt more involved in my kid’s education.
I think one of the most liberating things was erasing EVERYTHING off my schedule. No more sports, after school activities, running around like crazy. That was a breath of fresh air that we really needed. As time went on, it allowed me to really decide what was worth our time. I was able to add things back to our schedule in a more purposeful way. A way in which we didn’t have to say yes to everything; a way that gave us the room we needed to breathe and just be.
I felt extremely grateful that as a healthcare provider I was able to be home with my family as my colleagues were tirelessly working day & night to take care of those that were ill without really knowing the full scope of what this virus & pandemic would entail. Leaving their families at home, putting themselves at risk of getting ill and so much more. We are forever grateful to them.
The past year has been extremely difficult for my son who has ADHD. Online learning just doesn’t work for him. He thrives being in school, following a routine and being around other kids. This pandemic really showed us the wrath that ADHD can have on a child. Fortunately, the time at home and lack of a million activities gave us the opportunity to get a grip on his ADHD. We certainly had our ups & downs but I feel like we’re finally on the right path and seeing some really awesome changes. 1 Year Post Pandemic Reflection
I hope that when my children are older, they will reflect back on this time in a way that makes them appreciate the little things in life- taking nothing for granted. I hope it has taught them how resilient they can be and just how powerful changing your perspective can be.
Petite Magnolia Photography specializes in maternity, newborn, motherhood, baby & family photography in the Pittsburgh area including but not limited to Upper St. Clair, Mt. Lebanon, Peters Township, Canonsburg, Venetia, McMurray, Jefferson Hills, Cranberry & Wexford.
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