| Years ago, when I got home from work, I would run into the house, change my shoes and grab a baseball glove. My two boys and I would play ball in our tiny front yard (and our neighbors' yard - we really owe them some new landscaping). Games, tosses, "surprise throws." I look back on it fondly now, but then? It was pretty dull and I just wanted to go inside and give myself a minute. These days it's different, but the same: One kid had unfortunate (to say the least) ankle surgery and instead of his usual running around, biking, playing sports, he's on the couch, asking for Things. The other one is also bored without his in-home playmate to run around with. So we are playing cards between their video games and Quick Pitch watching. They tried to teach me how to play Fortnite (if you want to know what it means to fall asleep with your eyes open, I've got the answer for you). The amount of time I spend listening to baseball stats of every kind is immeasurable. Frankly, it's all quite boring, but I want to hang on to these asks and days because these guys are getting older. I miss them before they are to the point of missing. And so I take a break from work and I play. This piece by Erica Silverstein, about the tug and pull and absolute boredom of playing with our kids, hit home. I love the advice in it - and it reminds me of a bit of advice I heard when my boys were small and tugging at me: If you really focus on them for just a few minutes each hour, that's enough. Their cup is filled. I try to remember that as we navigate life here - a year plus into a pandemic that left the middle schooler completely learning from home (wish I had thought of this) and the tween also doing much of his school virtually. We're bored with each other; it's been a long haul. But at least we have each other. So. Anyone have a new card game I can try? Have parenting questions? Make sure to join Meghan Leahy and myself next week for her parenting chat. You can ask questions now. Speaking of baseball, let me leave you with this fun one that brightened my morning. Have a great long weekend, everyone. |
Parenting in a Pandemic These are challenging times for any parent to navigate. Let On Parenting help. Below you'll find a selection of expert advice and personal stories for all types of parents. To keep up with The Post's best advice for living through a lockdown, including recipes to make, shows to watch, the best socializing apps, resources for parents, guidance for managing anxiety and tips for canceled trips, bookmark Your Life at Home. And the latest on school reopenings can be found on The Post's Education page. For vaccinated parents with unvaccinated kids | Vaccinated adults may have more freedom. But for kids, 'the rules haven't changed.' For parents dealing with virtual school | Strategies to improve distance learning | Tips for creating a good learning environment at home | How parents can avoid anxiety around distance learning For parents dealing with in-person school | How to help children adjust to masks, according to experts and parents | As kids move from quarantine to school, separation anxiety may follow. Here's how to help. For parents working from home | 6 strategies for parents struggling with work-from-home interruptions For parents looking ahead to post-pandemic life | The pandemic changed everything about family
life. These are the parts parents want to keep. |
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