My parents emphasized the importance of family as long as I can remember. They prioritized eating meals together, travelling together and praying together. I’ll never forget one non-stop, cross-country ride in a new-to-us, white Sable.
Family Time in a White Sable
Driving from Ontario to Alberta in a white Mercury Sable, with no electronic devices, no hotel stays and no extended stops was something I genuinely remember enjoying. I am not just saying that because I am older now and I forget all the bad parts; that trip was fun with my family.
That was also the longest that my family was “trapped” together in small space. I’m not sure how we would have done as a unit if we had to live through a pandemic where we couldn’t play sports, go to movies, see friends at school or church. I think we would have been ok, but it was a different time. I have faith that my parents would have made the best of it.
No Playbook for Pandemic Parents
When schools closed onsite classes and I had to work from home as a high school teacher, while parenting/entertaining my four and two-year old children, as my wife, Lynsey, worked full-time as an RN. I didn’t know what to expect. There was no playbook to deal with this scenario and nothing I had experienced growing up prepared me for the last 14 months. How would we look back on this time together?
Luckily my kids are at an age where they are quick to forget and forgive, as many days seemed like a disaster. Thank goodness for Story Bots, Wild Kratts, cheese strings and naps. Many times I wished Lynsey was home to help and not working with Covid positive patients. I was surprised when couples who worked from home together, told me they were jealous of our situation. Everyone seemed to be struggling, but Lynsey and I repeatedly reminded each other we would be OK as long as we kept being there for each other and that only one of us was allowed a melt down at a time.
Memories
We were very lucky during the stay at home order because we both were able to keep our employment. I feel for the families in a different scenario as they had a heightened complexity added onto everything else that was going on. I know people will have different viewpoints on this historical period but my hope is that my little family will look back at this time together with genuine feelings of happiness; like how I feel every time I see a white Mercury Sable.
Love your family.
Cory is our eldest son. He and Lynsey and our grandkids Vinny and Jayda, reside in Saskatoon where they create adventures every day.
What is your pandemic parenting experience?
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