COVID-19: One Year Later

COVID-19:

One year later…

BY JEN LINDBECK, WELCOME BABY COORDINATOR

It has been over a year since the fi rst “two week” lockdown and here we are, a world completely changed by a global pandemic. Remember those fi rst two weeks of schedules, home projects, sourdough starters, and Tiger King? Our dear, sweet selves were going to make the very best of such a weird situation. Today, aft er adaptations to our norms and then pivots in our new norms and then more adjustments to those new norms, for better or worse we have learned some things. Parents with young kiddos, have had a particularly challenging time of it and yet here is what I see:

Resiliency

With each curve ball, I see parents adapting and overcoming. Th e circumstances are not ideal. Homeschooling your child while balancing the demands of work and other obligations – it’s not easy and yet somehow parents have fi gured it out. Th ey have reached out and received help. Th ey have learned new technologies, how to do common core math, and how to let some things go in the face of unparalleled challenges. A child may be understandably behind a bit in school, but they have gained insight into grit, determination,

and overcoming obstacles by the example of their parents during this difficult season.

Boundaries

With so much taxing parents time and mental bandwidth, establishing boundaries has become critical. Knowing when to take a break and practice selfcare while little ones are crying or creating disasters in shared living space is not easy. Parents are doing whatever it takes to give themselves a little breather – even if it means the kids watch an extra hour of television. Setting boundaries with friends, families, and the community to keep one another safe has become a matter of life and death. It’s hard and it has come at a cost. Again, boundary setting is teaching kids important lessons about their own agency, that it is okay to not be okay, to rest when needed, and to create a safe space.

Together…6 feet apart

I see collaboration and community building happening all over Skagit County. Organizations coming together to support families, parents rallying other parents to provide the basics to families in need, words of encouragement and hope when someone is struggling. We may be socially distanced, but I see parents creating community in important and tangible ways and this is teaching kids to look outside of themselves and see. See the world, see the hurt, see the need and take action.

Nothing about the last year has been easy, but when you look back can you see the good? When you reflect on the darkest days do you see the gimmer of light – maybe it is your child’s laughter or the simple recognition that you made it through another day. It’s been a year like no other, but maybe…just maybe…we have discovered what really matters most.