10/07/2020
Because the thing is...the entire nation is now feeling what a single mom feels. I gave up my career. I gave up income. I changed my entire career path to educate my child...independently. So the next time you sit and judge what a child from a "broken" home endures...I'm going to give you the side eye. Yes, I had more homeschooling options because there wasn't a pandemic...but that weight, that guilt, that heaviness of knowing that responsibility rests squarely on your shoulders? I carried it DAILY. The worry about what you will eat, how will you pay the bills? Kept me up nightly.
Parents...you can do this! I promise. Your children can live without Disney passes, they will live without cable TV, nobody cares what brand of sneakers you wear...truly...no. one. cares. The safety, security and well-being of our kids is the number one priority. Whatever choice you make...it's the right one...and you will be okay. Your child will be okay. Tell them daily that you love them...support their dreams and aspirations, TALK to them, hug them, and spend time together. They will be okay...and so will you! Parents...you have a slight advantage...you're all in this together...the entire world. But even if you know that the whole world is feeling the same way...I want every single one of you to know that your kid will be okay, the choice you make, if made with love vs fear, will be the right one...I PROMISE!
(I wish someone had told me. )😉 You've got this🌺
Parents are feeling some type of way right now.
If we send our kids to school, we’re “selfish”.
If we keep them home, we’re “living in fear”.
We know our choice will not please everyone—
but we’re trying not to care
and instead just focus on what’s best for our kid...
BUT we’re not even sure what that is
because we’re just sooo conflicted.
We’ve been trying to enjoy this extra time with our kids
but our newest thief of joy is uncertainty.
We’re offered strong opinions from others not even in our position.
And if we’re honest, we’re pretty much over it.
Some of us have already decided; for some it was decided for us
and some, like me, are sitting right smack dab in the middle of indecision.
The reality is,
some families will be giving up an income and financial stability.
Some will go to work, whether by choice or mere necessity, and will still be judged harshly.
Some parents will try to balance full-time work from home and distance learning, which seems almost impossible to me.
Many have, and will, shed tears and mourn plans
when no one is looking,
and then pull it together just as quickly.
There’s a decision to be made, but there’s no “right” one.
My kids won’t hear the complaint when I push my career aside.
The work-outside-the-home mom’s kids likely won’t see the weight she’s carrying.
The work-from-home dad won’t let anyone know the pressure he’s under.
We KNOW we’d do ANYTHING for our kids, no matter the sacrifice,
but we did not sign up for THIS.
No one did.
So if you hear a parent voice their choice that’s different than yours,
please do not make them feel worse.
Give them some grace
because I can promise you
we parents are already feeling some type of way.
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