COVID-19 joined the fam these last few weeks.
Word on the street is it’s likely to be in a lot of our experiences—especially in these winter months.
So after, yes, surviving the virus that caused 2020 to go down in the history books for reasons other than what any of us ever imagined possible last New Years Eve, I thought I’d jot down some of the things that kept me sane for the 10+ days my husband and I were down and out with the dreaded COVID.
Though symptoms seem to vary drastically from person to person, our experience fighting off this illness wasn’t peachy. And though Jake is a classic man-cold contender (love him), I, and my parents (who also contracted the virus) are usually pretty sturdy when it comes to weathering sickness. But in all fairness, this one wasn’t easy.
Symptoms, especially fatigue, seemed to hang on for longer than a usual bug. Though Jake and I managed to avoid any head cold symptoms (apart from losing taste and smell—a super weird and depressing life experience, I might add), we were knocked out with aches, fever and chills for a few days, and then plagued with fatigue. Being 7+ months pregnant, I did experience shortness of breath, especially in the evening after doing the bend down, pick up toys routine.
Still. We survived.
Our almost 3 year old twins (who never showed any symptoms) did too.
They certainly got a kick whenever one of us admitted we couldn’t smell their poop. And they were extra gracious with us when we asked to read books on the couch instead of have a dance party.
We didn’t get outside nearly as much as during a usual week.
And the kids logged more hours with Stinky and Dirty than they have in any other period of time.
But we made it.
There’s no denying it was a team effort.
The day I first had symptoms, Jake pulled extra weight around the house and let me rest. And when my parents had good days they came over to entertain the kids while I laid in bed.
Not to mention the help we received from friends, family, Instacart, and the community on Instagram whose brilliant ideas for entertaining toddlers were a lifeline to me in an energy-less week.
So without further ado, I put together a little COVID survival guide for stay at home mamas.
None of it is rocket science, in fact, most of it’s painfully obvious. But I needed someone to tell me these pieces of advice, so maybe, if you happen to come down with the COVID, you might benefit from hearing these nuggets too.
A COVID survival guide for stay at home mamas
1. Say “yes” to any offer of help (and ask for it).
Meals brought (by friends or Doordash).
Laundry done.
Anyone who recently tested positive hanging with your kids while you close your eyes.
FaceTime dance parties (enlist the support of family and friends who aren’t local to entertain your toddlers for a song or two. “Freeze dance” by the Kiboomers is a fave around here. It’s a perfect solution for those 3-4 minute stretches when you need to accomplish something or, let’s be real, sit quietly in the bathroom without fear the kids will need something.)
2. Where you can skimp on the usual daily chores, or even, dare I say it, routine. Do.
Dishes in the sink. Let them be. Paper plates in the cupboard. Put them to use.
PJs all day. Naked kids? No stress. (You’ll notice a theme with all the pics I have of these two weeks…scantily clad kiddos.)
Didn’t get outside before noon? Shake it off.
My experience with COVID lingered, I’d have a good day, then a bad day, so have grace for yourself and understanding. If you can help it, don’t push it too hard when you think you can. Instead, store up energy, be responsible and rest, and trust your body to do the work it needs to do.
3. Quick, low maintenance, easy clean up activities are your life line.
Water coloring.
Cutting.
Punching paint cards.
Coloring pages.
Reading.
Playdough.
If you’re like me you have simple crafts stashed away, dollar bin paint activities, sticker workbooks, dollar store puzzles…don’t hold off on saving these for a later time, put them to use pronto. Now is the time.
Now is not the time to hold yourself to an Instagram standard for motherhood. That said, if you’ve bookmarked easy activities or have go-to accounts for ideas of what to do with the kids, don’t forget about them! I leaned on these accounts and these mamas for ideas and inspiration when my brain power was at zero and it got us through. It’d even be worth it to pay for some printables or activity packets! My go to mamas are @livethescottcottage, @littleoneslearn, and @busytoddler.
4. Let them watch shows.
You probably need someone to tell you this, I did. Weeks like when you’ve got COVID and your kids are two and healthy are exactly the reason TV was created. Stinky & Dirty? A Godsend. Blippi. Toddler and parent hero alike. It doesn’t have to be and still shouldn’t be all day. But please don’t feel guilty about putting on a movie or letting a show auto play if it means you can close your eyes.
In normal life, I use media as a tool for when I need to prep or get something done the kids can’t help with. But in COVID life, there was virtually no prep or getting anything done, so media became a tool to engage my sweet kids while allowing my body to rest and recharge—something we know is super important while our immune system is working overtime. If you can, watch with them/sit on the couch and close your eyes. If not, leave them on the couch and go to your bed. No harm. No foul.
5. Keep food simple.
Shakes for when you lose taste. We bought a jar of protein/meal replacement shakes from a friend who has been trying Isagenix. This was a great solution for breakfast or lunches when cooking felt futile, taste loss and energy gone, but we were still hungry! Shakes ensured we got nutrition, while also not costing us any effort or thought.
For kids: Cereal, deli meat, peppers, berries, yogurt, waffles, avocado toast, noodles. Now is not the time to be at war with them over whether they’re licking their plate clean or trying new foods. Go for old, easy standbys. Keep them fed. Keep your sanity.
Vitamin up. Vitamin D, C, and Zinc.
Bonus: Drink water & Prioritize rest (did I mention that yet?)
I certainly hope your family makes it through this season without testing positive for COVID, but if the coronavirus shacks up with you for a bit this winter, take a deep breath. You and your toddlers will make it through. ;)