Day 3: Separating mom and reporter isn't easy
This morning I burned my breakfast. Almost twice.
The first I will blame on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, because I was trying to watch his press conference at the same time as I was cooking my pear-and-multigrain-oatmeal concoction and trying to get the baby ready to go to her dayhome.
When I returned home from the drop-off, I set to cleaning the burned-on remnants from the pot and began a fresh batch of the same. This near-miss I will blame on the reality of today: children still adjusting to the schedule, lagging in getting their chores done and arguing about how to spend their free time when the work was done – all while I’m trying to get myself situated for the day and lay out my to-dos for work.
Luckily, I looked up from my story list, deep in thought, and my eyes caught the small pot on the stove mere seconds before I was dealing with a second scorched mess. Side note: breakfast was delicious, and set me on the right foot for the rest of the day.
Chilly weather in the morning turned Outside Play/Exercise time into a 15-minute High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workout for all five of us in the living room and playroom, and the kids followed that up with a few rounds of Just Dance for good measure.
Everyone was still in high spirits as far as finding educational activities to fill their blocks of learning activity. While Alyssa (Grade 10) watched podcasts from her previous science classes to review material she wanted to brush up on, Christian (Grade 7) and Brooke found good books to read and Miss Hannah is still enjoying her workbooks, though she’s a bright little thing and finished two or three pages of each in record time.
Good thing I got four subjects, though I’m still not certain how long those will last us.
I encourage her to add extra drawings to the pictures on each page, and we’ve also started a little journal so she can continue the type of work she was accustomed to in her kindergarten class. Without any direction from me, she did the first page herself, drawing a little picture at the top of the paper and writing, “I see a tigr” below. Proud mama.
They also spent time during one block exploring national parks from around the world virtually from the comfort of our living room. What a cool option for people stuck in their homes for the next few weeks.
The hardest part about this so far is reminding the kids that mom is working, which means I’m not always readily available even though I’m in the same room.
And also that I am the teacher – so when I say it’s time to get your workbooks (Hannah), whining isn’t okay (“Would you whine if Mrs. Edwards told you to get your journal?” could become a common phrase around here).
I already detest the word “No.”
And then there’s “Why?”
After eating lunch today: “I’m sorry, I can’t take your tea party teacup right now, you’ll have to play with one of your siblings.”
“Why?”
“Because Mom’s at work.”
“Why? You’re here.”
Yes, I am.
Here, and learning how to make this work at the same time as I’m trying to keep your little world turning. It’s a delicate balance, but I’m beginning to excel at tuning out the noise in the moments I need to focus.
Except for when someone “accidentally backed up and knocked over” the diffuser, which meant water and oils everywhere. Or the ice cubes that “accidentally got dropped” on the floor and melted. Why do we have such an issue containing our water today?
Being a professional and being a mom are two things I can handle with grace, but it’s taking some adjustment to actively be both simultaneously. We’re going to stumble along the way, but that’s okay – everyone is learning a new way of life and a new way to work.
Although I must admit – I don’t mind the little random hugs and kisses scattered throughout my day. That’s something I definitely don’t usually get at the office (thank goodness).
