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Twin Cities Mom Collective

Silver Linings

Silver Linings | Twin Cities Mom CollectiveTo all the moms out there, this is your time. Don’t get disheartened about the current crisis, the social distancing and the sheltering at home!

Normally, getting out of the house to meet real people in the name of school drop-offs, getting our groceries and catching up with friends are some of the things we look forward to during a long, tiring day. Yet now, we have been cut off from these privileges that we always looked forward to.

But in spite of this I have decided to take advantage of this unexpected time we have been thrown into:

  • I am sleep training my 5 year old to sleep alone in his own bed while sharing the room with his little brother (20 months old), who actually has been sleeping through the night since 6 months of age.
  • I have really wanted to potty train my toddler, but was feeling he might be way too young for it. With my older one I started after he turned two and successfully trained him in 2 weeks. But being homebound I can take my time and try with the little one, as he is a fast learner and already shows signs of readiness. So! Potty training is in the cards.
  • When Jivin (my oldest) was young, I would give him a lot of screen time without thinking twice. Then once I learned more about the potential side effects, the guilt rolled in and I stopped giving my kids any screen time. Since then, I have found a better balance. I have thrown away all the guilt and learned that a bit of extra screen time is not going to hurt anyone. So, guilt-free screen time is happening.
  • This guilt also includes screen time for myself on the days I need a bit of distraction. I ignore that screen limit on my phone. Because right now the entire world is living that kind of life, so I encourage you… don’t feel bad for exceeding your screen limit!
  • I have found time to shower and get ready every single day. While my husband works from home, I also take advantage of his minor breaks and get things done around our home.
  • Previously, I have never enjoyed cooking much, but this slow paced lifestyle has made me cook to my own rhythm and enjoy every homemade meal.
  • I let the kids stay in pajamas all day long if they wish. What is the point in even changing them? This has saved me from an extra load of laundry per week. Winning!
  • I get a little extra time before bed, as I do not have to rush  any one out the door in the morning. So I stay up late, catching up on my hobbies that I haven’t been able to visit for a long time. I also think of taking up new hobbies too, if time permits.
  • We as a family have this new found love for travel. I sit and make travel plans for the future. I have no idea when we will be able to be back out in the world. But when we do, I hope to make every day count.
  • Recently, I showed my kids our wedding pictures and shared the story about “how mommy and daddy got married,” which also involved imparting knowledge of our culture back home in India.
  • Years ago, my sister and I were talking about how we should homeschool our kids when they grew up. I joked saying, “…but then the kids would be home all day…” Now that the joke is true, I am actually enjoying homeschooling my kids. I’m seriously considering homeschooling them even after this social distancing ends.
  • We have played, danced and enjoyed unlimited time in these last weeks like never before. We are making memories with our family.
  • We have laughed, hugged, kissed and also shed a few tears. But we are so happy we have got each other during this hardest of times.

Ultimately, I get it! The world out there is extremely scary right now. We do not have an end date to this new kind of lifestyle that we are all forced to adopt. Yet I never fail to see the silver lining on the clouds shadowing us.

Thinking about it, this slow paced life is not really too bad. We are all in this together praying, hoping and believing, just 6 feet apart.

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