Monday morning started off peacefully. I woke up my children so they could start school on the first day of distance learning.
While bacon, eggs and biscuits cooked I helped Melody begin her Kindergarten assignments. Aaliyah and Raiden began working on their classes’ assignments.
I was determined not to stress. This is a new experience for us all and I know the children were feeling a little uncertain about expectations.
“We’ll wing it and get through this,” I’d told them. We would find a method that works for our newly-formed family.
This week Brian and I are working from home again and the kids are starting a new and slightly confusing education plan. That’s a lot going on at once in a house, but that’s okay.
“We’ve got this,” I said assuringly. If I’m honest I was a little proud of my ability to stay calm amid the uncertainty.
By noon that wasn’t the case.
I was trying to get a new printer to connect to a Chromebook laptop. I hadn’t realized when we got up that morning that we needed a new printer but apparently we did.
That unexpected shopping trip had shattered my plans to avoid stores for the foreseeable future. I’ve ordered all our basic household necessities and had them shipped to us. An Amazon box of body wash seemed to mock me for leaving the house for the printer.
I had a lot of work to do before the deadline Tuesday and I hadn’t even been able to clock in yet. It was lunch time.
Aaliyah needed help with a writing assignment.
Melody needed that printer to work.
And a cat had evidently forgotten that we have a litter box. The living room carpet had to be shampooed.
I was overwhelmed trying to be a mom, employee and teacher’s assistant simultaneously. I figure most parents across Oklahoma were probably better off than I was at that point in the first day of this new school system.
Eventually, though, we got through the hectic day. Aaliyah, Raiden and Melody finished their school assignments. I was able to work.
Most importantly, my family is safe and healthy. I’ll remember that on the next stressful day.
I’ll remember that on the next stressful day.