Over the past few weeks I have visited a few families from a safe distance to take a historic family portrait. Briefly connecting with these families, one thing is clear, we are all in this together. In their own words, and in the words of their children, they have expressed the good and the bad as we all navigate a scary time in our family’s life. Thank you all for sharing your lives.
“Time management and patience were things that we thought we had a handle on; attempts at home-schooling have demonstrated otherwise! That said, we realize we may never again have an opportunity to be together exclusively, for so long, as a family. In that sense, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” – Mary and Keith (Mom and Dad)
“It’s made me a lot less focused on school and daily activities.”
– Sophie, 12
“I get sad I can’t see my friends or open packages on the porch immediately.” -Celia. 8
“I miss my friends and my neighbors and going out to get food like Theo’s, Raising Cane’s and MoPho.” – Sam, 10
“During this long, unusual break, many things have closed down.
Some people are not able to keep their jobs, for example maids
or people who cook lunches for schools or restaurants, and now they won’t make any steady income. This is one of the worst things about the coronavirus and quarantine.
Also, I and I’m sure many others (children and adults) miss their friends.
Friends are important and not being able to see them hurts deep down.
Online school has been good, if you define good as being able to get your work done early, not including the occasional Zoom classes. So please everyone, wash your hands, stay six feet away from others, and stay
safe!”
– Gwendolyn, 12
“These times are certainly interesting ones. We have definitely realized how important our support systems are and miss them tremendously! Homeschooling six kids with no outside help is tough. Adding two full time working parents into the mix that both have “essential” roles, needing to be physically at work, makes it near impossible. Philip and I have been alternating days to work from home. The one that draws the short straw for the day, works from home while homeschooling six kids and doing house cleaning. We have been frequenting the liquor store. However, there has been a silver lining in all of this. As a full time working parent, I always long for time with my children and now I am getting lots of it! The kids are also really enjoying their time at home – they are still young enough to love having Mom and Dad around (3 three year olds and 3 ten year olds). We look forward to the days when we can be around friends and extended family again! In the meantime, we are thankful for zoom, great weather, Tiktok, bike rides, Netflix, our pool, bottles of rose’, restaurants that still do take out and our health.” – Courtney (Mom)
“Livvy is on her own, taking care of her schoolwork like a champ and going to class online. John is on the phone 24 hours a day. I am scrambling to keep my business from going under, working to get SBA help, organizing a birthday greeting thing for NOLA kids to have people come sing happy birthday to them, and zillions of people have signed up to get it, but I have like 4 volunteers-so that really sucks and its drowning me.
I don’t even have time to run my business. Self care? All care is actually the fact that I’m staying alive from day to day. No, I’m going walking and kayaking in the mornings, but that only lasts until it’s over, and then I’m freaking out agian.
Sorry. My life sucks right now.” – Ann (Mom)
“My family is taking this time one day at a time. We are adjusting to everyone being in the house at the same time 24/7!! Adjusting to the new slow pace of life! The remote school/work situation is challenging yet kind of fun!
We have embraced gardening, cooking, virtual yoga & dance classes & late afternoon bike rides! We talk about how this new norm can be difficult but that it’s for the better of the community, city, state, country & world! We will get through this!
We are looking forward to hugging our family & friends, eating at our favorite restaurants, ballet/dance classes & hopefully holding on to some of the slower, simpler ways of life!!” – Roquel (Mom)
