Opinion by Melissa Meehan
As we enter what feels like the 23rd week of isolation thanks to COVID-19 I’m here to say (rather scream from the rooftops) this is hard.
I am over the constant tantrums, mood swings and the sleepless nights – and I haven’t even got to my kids yet (jokes).
We were doing so well.
We’d found our rhythm, my two-year-old finally understood that when dad went upstairs on the computer he was at work and wasn’t meant to be disturbed too often, and I was back to a similar routine to before isolation and was keeping up with the housework.
We’d even found a nice balance between arts and crafts, screen time and getting out into the fresh air.
But this week. Wow.
It has been a battle.
It’s like my toddler has all of a sudden starting getting sick of my face, the single sight of me can send her into a blinding rage.
Other times I am the only person she wants to see and constantly touch, lean on and cuddle.
It’s a real life roller coaster.
Add to that a baby who all of a sudden decides to wake every 1-2 hours overnight and I am officially done.
It is exhausting – but it also makes you realise that all the events, outings and activities you think you organise for your kids on a weekly basis, are actually for you too.
We usually had a busy week pre-isolation.
Mondays we would meet my mother-in-law for coffee, Tuesdays my parents would take my two year old so I could have some one-on-one time with the baby, Playgroup on Wednesday, catch up with friends on Thursdays and swimming on Fridays.
It was busy – but wow. It breaks up the week.
Those adult conversations are what I really and truly crave at the moment. The different faces, stories, voices.
And don’t get me wrong, I love my kids and husband – but it’s hard. And that’s OK to say out loud.
I’m sure many others feel that way too!
