My husband and I were talking last night about our quarantine thoughts and I realized I haven’t shared a My Kid Just Said entry for four years. Yes, folks. The last time I shared wisdom from our minis was way back in 2016. I kind of hate myself for not recording all those moments of wisdom because there were really so many as they were growing up.
But anyway. That’s that. I’ll try to catch up by sharing some things our kids made us think about since the community quarantine began.
KELLY (crying): Why is everyone so angry?! Didn’t you all ask for this?
This happened after everyone in the house lost their cool on her and her brother. I asked her why she was crying and that was what she said.
It’s true. In the months leading up to the community quarantine, weren’t we all hoping to have more time to relax? Didn’t we ask for less traffic? Didn’t you wish, even for a tiny bit, that you can work from home?
And then life went on a full stop.
Suddenly, everything we asked for was given to us. More down time. Less traffic. A chance to work from home.
Yet, we’re all so angry.
We’re angry because we want to clean up the house, but the kids are in the way. Didn’t you want to relax? So relax.
We’re angry because the kids are being too noisy while we work from home. Didn’t you want to work from home? Deal with what comes with it.
We’re angry because we can’t leave the house. Didn’t you want less traffic? Ayan, zero traffic!
We asked for this. Why don’t we take this opportunity to do everything we asked for? Let’s relax. Let’s be grateful to be (still) working. Enjoy the car-less streets and the better air quality that came with it.
When you’re about to blow up, ask yourself if it’s worth shouting at your kids or arguing with your neighbor.
And instead of being so angry, be grateful, be patient, be kind.
How are you doing? Now is the perfect time to teach our kids mindfulness, by example.