*Please note that this is my own personal opinion and not everyone’s*
I love when anyone gives tips and advice on things they have experience in. I never know how it’s going to benefit me, I never know what information I may find helpful in my own journey, as well as be able to pass it on to someone else that could use it. What I have not really been a fan of, especially lately, is the non-parental advice voluntarily given to me during this shut down. I will admit that. I am not a fan, it’s not something I am welcoming with open arms and just saying thank you ten million times.
Hear me out on my reasoning. I just became a new SAHM because schools shut down due to Covid-19 and the ongoing pandemic. Now, this isn’t something just new for me, but for everyone else. Our worlds have been completely flipped upside down. Going out and getting fresh air is kinda hard while wearing a face mask (and most aren’t even comfortable). We are limited to grocery stores, Targets and Walmarts since so many other places are shut down or have gone out of business. For me, there’s no more going into an office and having coffee breaks with other moms to swap stories on cute or annoying moments.
The mental and physical aspects are completely different then what a typical SAHM would be use to. And for these reasons and so many more, I am not interested in getting advice from someone that does not have a kid during these times to tell me what they think will work while facing so many unimaginable challenges. You cannot convince me that you understand and can relate to what it feels like to have to talk to a kid from the time you wake up till the time you go bed with no break. Let’s start with that. Let that marinate just a little bit. Can you imagine what it feels like to talk to an 8 year old ALL damn day?!
The same routine over and over again. All of you overly giving advice, non-kid adults have no idea what it’s like to wake up, get yourself together, get the dog together, get the kid up to have them get it together to make sure they get a good breakfast, go through their daily agenda, be tech support on stand-by when they are on virtual calls for 2 one hour live classes, be the tutor to help guide them through their work, make them lunch, get them snacks, play with them for P.E and still balance out your mental. Imagine doing that every day, 5 days a week, while stuck in the house with no where to go because of a pandemic. It’s not easy for any parent learning everyday how to be the best version of them for their kids, spouses and family.
I find myself yearning for advice, thoughts and suggestions from a fellow parent, not necessarily someone that has their sh*t all the way together, but someone that’s trying. Trying to figure out how to navigate through these uncertain times as a parent, and in particular for me, a stay at home mom. I don’t want advice and thoughts on what to do from someone that doesn’t have a kid or kids right now, and that’s because they can never understand and begin to understand what my mental is like. They haven’t experienced it and lived it. I was on a zoom call recently that I assumed was about parents navigating through the pandemic based on the subject line, but was surprised and shocked to find it was headed by someone that didn’t even have kids! Ummm…thanks but no thanks. It’s just not something I find myself wanting to hear about. I was already sitting there looking at the suggestions that sound so amazing and perfect I was shaking my head the entire time. So, after 5 minutes I was out!
And that’s just me. Now if you have a site, a book or a contact that is helping fellow parents get through these hard times with kids at home, please send me the info! As a new SAHM I am open to reading, taking in thoughts and advice and suggestions.
The Expressive Mom 