David and I recently watched a YouTube video made by a dad who lost his twelve-year-old son to COVID-19. He says he did not lose his son the way you think though. If you watch, (here) you will see unfortunately, his son took his own life.
I am not sure if this video hit so close to home with me because we have a twelve-year-old son as well, our kids also like to play video games, especially Fortnite, or I just plain feel for this family and know tragic loss, any loss is devastating.
I ended up sitting our oldest two boys down and had them watch the video with me. We talked about the seriousness of it. We had a little bit of check-in on how they felt they were doing with everything COVID related, staying at home, no sports, very little social interaction.
I often find myself complaining about all the crazy that is going on in our world right now and how it affects me. I can’t go shopping in person because it is too hard to bring the baby and kids with me with all the rules set in place, wearing a mask for even the short periods of time that I have to is annoying, I need a mani/pedi, I miss seeing my friends and family, I miss watching my kids play sports, I miss professional sports, I miss date nights with David, I am most likely going to be homeschooling all four kids come fall, I am cooped up at home every day, I…I, me…me.
After watching the video and seeing the permanent effect this tragedy had on the little boys’ life and the pain his family is currently facing, I felt a huge sense of guilt. Mom guilt.
How are my kids really doing? For the first time since they can remember they have no sports. No practices, games, no commitments. They did not get birthday parties. Their plans for going back to school come August are up in the air. They have not interacted much at all with friends in person (online gaming does not count) since March. Thank goodness we have a pool and I can kick them outside to at least get some energy out by swimming.
I worry about them. I worry I am not doing enough with them at home to keep them sane. I need to get them out more but in a way that is safe, healthy, and not boring. I was out of ideas last weekend and ended up taking them all to an Ostrich Farm. Surprisingly, it was pretty cool, and they all had a good time even in their annoying masks.
What you are doing during these crazy times of insanity to keep yourself sane? What are your kids doing? How are you doing? How are your kids and loved ones doing?
I came across these Daily Quarantine Questions online. They are not only good to ask myself but ask my kids too. I already know I will get the eye rolls and the “Really, Mom?” remarks, but I still think it is so important they know I care about their sanity too in our insane circumstances right now.
