The pandemic quickly exposed what we’ve known all along – our lives are way too busy. We don’t allow ourselves or our families to slow down, and it shows daily.
My kids used to come home from school with their shoulders tight and their words spewing like venom. We’d rush to eat a snack and then hurry to finish our homework to make it to soccer practice on time. After practice, more rushing to bed. In all that hustle, we barely had time for one another. While I fully acknowledge our privilege during this time, I do think the pandemic has been a real eye-opener for our family, among others.
Just yesterday, after being home for over 6 weeks, I said, “We’ve eaten every single meal together at this table.” Our eyes looked at each other and we smiled in disbelief. Now, during the pandemic, eating together every night is just something we do—and finally, we’ve gotten pretty good at it. We actually pause and listen. We tell jokes and laugh. We ask questions about the world. We eat homemade dessert. Simply, we are present.
Many kids have gotten back into their love of reading. Before, we’d have to skip reading before bed because getting sleep was important to prevent the grumpies the following day. Now, my kids pick up books and inhale them on the couch for hours—just because. We start our bedtime routine early so we can get in extra books and our kids don’t fight us on this because their joy is found between the pages.
Kids across the country have become little inventors, artists, and scientists during the pandemic. My best friend’s daughter wrote an entire play. My daughter has become a pro at composting and using reusable toilet paper rolls and egg cartons for crafts to celebrate our earth. My other friend’s son creates STEM activities and science experiments. My son has become a junior baker.
Our kids have time for unplanned hobbies that cultivate true joy, passion, and an intrinsic motivation for learning. This time has proven to be invaluable because our children are growing from the inside out.
If I’m being honest, I worry about what our world will look like after this pandemic is done. I worry that everyone will rush to get back to the hustle. I worry that I will, too. I worry that our kids will forever learn that the slow life isn’t as meaningful as the fast-paced one we were all used to. My one and only hope is that my kids DO remember this time. I hope they remember the excitement from baking an entire cake all by themselves or laughing while playing charades at night with the family.
Sure, our kids will also remember the pain from this time—our neighbor getting sick, our uncle losing a job, and not being able to see their friends. I know that this is true and I think it is important that they do because it will help cultivate empathy in their spirits. But overall, I just want them to remember what it felt like on the inside to slow down and just be—to let the natural rhythms of the day take over and allow them the time to create whatever it is they want.
This time is far from perfect, but I certainly hope they remember the time they had with themselves, their thoughts, their beliefs, and the real loves of their lives…their family.
