Soooo, 2020, you suck legit SO much so far. I don’t know a single person who wants to be your friend. We can turn this around, you just have to put in an effort. Like getting rid of covid,  helping the world heal some massive wounds and pain, and over all, I am just going to say it STOP BEING AN ASSHOLE. It would solve so so so many problems. Like my five  year old not missing his last two months of pre-k and missing his last camp with his friends. Let’s discuss.

So, as a high risk individual I pulled my Jack out of school about a week before it officially closed. So, he missed several months, just like all the rest of the kids, what in the world?  Two months of the end of pre-K, which I envision to be some MAJOR milestone time to prepare him for Kindergarten. I could be totally being super extra about this, but I have a SUPER imaginative brain. SO, basically I am picturing he did nothing all year and those last two months were basically mission critical for his development and preparation for kindergarten. So, clearly I am not being a total nut, daily, about “let ‘s do your  letters and numbers today!” to the response of “noooo, next time” NEXT TIME. This little dictator makes all the rules. But that is for another blog all in itself. So, now I have Mr Dictator watching super child appropriate movies like the Marvel series (thanks Dad) and the Transformers series (thanks Dad, again), eating ice cream every night (Thanks mom), saying “Shit is a bad word right Mommy” (yeah that one is probably on me). 

Seriously though, am I the only one worried about the two months lost? It’s legit freaking me out. Not to mention I am spending  more money  keeping him entertained with CHILD APPROPRIATE movies, books, costumes, pools, toys, legos, etc than I was paying for his private Pre-K (yeah I’m fancy, he was going to daycare there and figured a year of pre-k with his friends would be good for him) 

So with EVERYTHING closed or canceled there are no field trips or even visitors allowed for his camp so the decision was made to keep him home for the summer before he starts Kindergarten. WHAT THE F. This little dictator doesn’t let me work, do laundry, needs to hold my hand doing everything, no I mean literally holding my hand, he has no interest in any of the school prep stuff I got him, his behavior has been so horrific he’s losing  double his age in toys by the day, just MAN. Is my kid acting completely normal? Yeah.  All my friends’ kids are losing their minds too. The good news is things are startinng to open up., the gym is opening up this week so he might be able to start swim classes again soon. T-ball was canceled, I am still not over that….I cried ugly tears on that one. #typicalsportsmom 

Here’s the thing. For all you Mama’s and Daddy’s out there crying in your wine or Bourbon at night, binge eating fruit snacks (LOOK don’t you judge me Karen), or any other vice you are using to get through this time of unprecedented life flipping on its ass, it’s OK.  We are all upset about not being able to find 2 ply with aloe on the regular,  the kids are either running around naked or still in the pjs at 5pm, the house is a mess, laundry is all over the place  not sure when the last time you showered…IT’S OK. It will get better, you are doing amazing, the kids will be ok, you will be ok, and we all will get through this. 

A few things i have implemented to get through all this, new world shit, have been really helpful and some or all may be helpful for you too, especially for those working from  home. 

1. Decide on your non-negotiables – what is important to you to keep your sanity? Is it working out in the morning? Is it sleeping in? Daily shower in the morning before you’re even harassed about breakfast. Coffee before you’re even harassed before breakfast. Kids to bed at 8pm sharp. Nap time FOR YOU is a must so kids have to have quiet time no matter what. Have code words for when you’re in the middle of something and your kid is having a lego emergency that needs your attention right away.  
2. Have a serious talk with your kids. Depending on how old they are you may have to do this daily, like me LOL. Let them know, there is work you need to get done and the less you’re interrupted the faster you will be done and the faster you can come to play. 
3. Keep water with you at all times and keep filling it up. You have to stay hydrated. Same rule applies with coffee. 
4. I plan out my day, but have become MUCH more flexible, shit is going  to happen,  your kid may do their picture on the wall,  the dog might throw up, there might be a major crisis with your business and it’s time for extended screen time (sorry Karen)  so you can handle your business. Have a plan but follow the flow of the day. 
5. Throw out to-do lists. If there is a MUST do or we will lose the house, sure make sure that is done, but otherwise, don’t put added pressure on. Also, to lighten the pressure, make a “Get TO” list. I ‘get to’ do laundry today. I ‘get to’ go to the grocery store. When you flip those simple words, you’re mind looks at things more positively. Hey , you have super fresh laundry that smells amazing! Awesome, you get to see adult humans, albeit in masks, but you get to be around other people! 

Listen, we are all in this together and will get through this together,  and know you are doing amazing, you are doing the best with what you have  and that is to be celebrated! So in honor of you I will have a hostess cupcake this morning in your honor!