Thankfully, I’ve been able to enjoy the
outdoors; we often go for bike rides, walks
or hikes. If we don’t make it past our neigh-
borhood, we at least get outside for some
sunshine and fresh air. Those two things
have kept me stable and hopeful.

Being outdoors also provides some sense
of normalcy for our kids, even though we’re
all in masks, including our almost two-
year-old wild child, Leah. The only time we
don’t wear masks outside is if we’re the only
people out.

Our new normal looks like this: slowly
wake up, eat breakfast, do “Cosmic Kids
Yoga,” complete some “schoolwork,” play
or go on an outdoor adventure, return for
The one thing we
can all agree on is
that COVID-19 has
disrupted our lives,
but it doesn’t have to
destroy them.

lunch, do more schoolwork while Leah naps,
play outside, eat dinner, get ready for bed.

Danny watches a lot more television than
he used to, so much that I recently scaled
his screen time back to one hour a day as
opposed to morning and afternoon time.

Prior to the lockdown, he was only allowed
screens on the weekends.

Another drastic part of our new normal is
that I have not kissed my wife for 72 days—
72 days! We’re really not taking any chances.

When she returns home from the hospi-
tal, she showers in the basement (where
most of her belongings are now) before join-
ing us for dinner, and we no longer share
food or drinks.

All of this might seem extreme, but
it’s what we think is best for our family.

Despite all of the insane changes, I feel like
we’re doing OK. Probably because we have
each other and our daily dose of fresh air
and sunshine.

Actually, it’s definitely because we have
each other, and we want to keep it that way.

As society is daring to re-enter the world
of the living, shops, parks and restaurants
are opening with many restrictions in place.

People have to decide whether or not to
venture out. I likely won’t be in a public
setting until January 2021, but I’m not going
to lie: I want to try something. I want to play
pickleball, even if it’s just with the same four
people over and over again.

In my heart, the one I’m protecting, I
know I can’t though. I can’t take that risk.

Which is probably why a couple of weeks
ago, Jen told me she thinks I should home-
school Danny for kindergarten next year.

I have no problem doing this, but it makes
me ache for our kids, parents and the world.

Parents are overwhelmed and kids are doing
the exact opposite of what they’ve been
taught their entire lives—stay away from
others, don’t share, don’t touch anyone.

We’re just trying to survive another day.

None of this is easy, but like everyone
else, I’m just trying to make it work s
omehow. If that means I have to homes-
chool Danny next year, I’ll do it. It won’t
be perfect. I’m not an early childhood
educator. I’ve been at home and have cared
for infants, toddlers and little kids the past
five years, but that doesn’t make me an
expert. I just pretend to know what I’m
doing and proceed confidently, which is
what I’ll do in the fall.

Let’s be honest though, chances are likely
that schools won’t even open in September.

I said it. I put it out there. I know that’s
not what people want to hear. Let’s think
about though. These are things we don’t
want to imagine, prepare for or do, but we’re
all doing our best to make things work for
our families.

The one thing we can all agree on is that
COVID-19 has disrupted our lives, but it
doesn’t have to destroy them. We can and
will get through this pandemic one slow day
at a time. Find your light and take it in daily.

Then recharge and do it all over again. And
again and again. This is what helps me.

What I have learned is that if I feel like my
light is about to extinguish, I remind myself
that I am not alone. You are not alone either.

We are doing things we never thought
we’d have to do as parents. But we can
provide light to one another even while
COVID looms.

Don’t be afraid to shine during this time
of darkness. T
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