The Bare Minimum

Jon’s working a 24-hour shift today. I’m home alone with the kids and feeling the pandemic blues. I used to get anxious about these solo 24-hour days so I’d plan play dates and outings to make them go by a little quicker. We spent the last one playing, doing laundry, reading books, making a craft (if you call haphazardly banging bingo daubers (or “dingo bobbers” as they’re called here) onto a piece of paper, a ‘craft’), and going for a walk. The big one even tolerated “quiet time” so we all had a mid-day break, and there was no screen time.

Today is harder. Today it feels like there is no end in sight to this pandemic and its isolation. Today I feel like I can barely take care of myself, never mind a baby and toddler. I’m anxious about today.

So I made myself a list of things that need to happen today.

I need to have a shower. And wash my hair. I really need to wash my hair.

I need to feed the children. Hello, Eggos and Kraft Dinner!

I need to create opportunities for them to sleep. But I cannot make them sleep so I’m taking “naps” right off the list.

I need to bath the baby because it’s been a few days, and we’re actually leaving the house tomorrow.

And that’s it. No laundry. No crafts. No expectations. Too much screen time. Today I am choosing the bare minimum.

Tomorrow we have to take the baby for a holter monitor in the city. I’m anxious about tomorrow. About the roads, parking, being on time, him being in the car seat most of the day, him crying the whole trip, if we should all go or if I should just take him myself.

I can’t do anything about tomorrow, but I can get through today. I can wash my hair and feed these kids. I can make my way through my list. Today, I can do the bare minimum. And with that, I’d better go and boil that water for Kraft Dinner. ✌🏻