No one said it would be easy. But no one said it would be this hard either. And no one could predict the length of time this formidable opponent would linger in our lives. Battling through these unprecedented times, I learned to cherish and embrace the Covid Containment time with my adult children.

Yet here we are, a month shy of two full years of the Covid-19 Pandemic infiltrating our day-to-day existence in ways we did not anticipate. As a society, we are all impacted by its presence, but as individuals, the impact is about perspective. For instance, at what stage are you in your life? Mother of a baby, a toddler, a teen…a young adult? That is how you will forever remember this long-lasting moment in your life.

From my perspective, I am viewing this pause in time as a mom of two very capable young adult men. I will remember this navigation with them clearly, succinctly, and always.

For my offspring and me, it is business NOT as usual. In their senior and junior years of college respectively, their college careers came to the proverbial screeching halt, forever altered by the invasion of the virus, spreading silently throughout the country. They came home for spring break never to return to campus except to claim their belongings.

However, the silver-lining to come out of the pandemic is the extra time we spend together. No one anticipated this generous gift. But if bonus hours, days, and weeks with my adult sons is what I get, I gladly accept.

So, as another week begins and ends, here is how I have learned to cherish and embrace the Covid Containment with my young adult children:

Adulting

This was the goal all along. And by “adulting,” I am referring to independent, self-sufficient humans, no matter where they live. Currently they just happen to be living under the same roof as me, yet here they are, “adulting.” Now that we are at this juncture in their lives, I am glad we are managing this phase well.

Everyone is responsible for themselves:  keeping their own space in order, whether it be a bedroom serving as a home office or a bedroom serving as a studio apartment; fluffing and folding laundry; paying their bills on time; and organizing their own calendars and appointments. It is all on them now.

However, it is a group effort as well. Thus, we share in the responsibility of tending to the family pets, making grocery lists, and cleaning up after dinner. I like the return on my original efforts as a mom. Repeatedly I reinforce “we are all in this together.”

Dinner Time 

This family ritual was practically a lost art form in our house. Schedules did not allow for normal dinners with everyone at home and in place. For me, the meals we now share together are one of the biggest gifts I have gained as a result of the pandemic:  a captive audience every night during the week, not only to break bread with but to have discussions about worldly events, sports, the day-to-day happenings in their work-from-home environment, and oh yeah, what they want for dinner tomorrow night. It is the gift that keeps on giving, night after night.

TV Time

While this may sound silly, this nightly ritual also gives me great pleasure. While the boys were growing up, there was no time to watch TV. During the week, life was hectic; the nights were full of homework and practices and games, squeezing in meals before or after these events. Always rushed, always hurried, always places to be.

Now we have time to gather ‘round the screen with a plethora of choices and channels before us. It does not matter so much what we are watching but rather it is about the act of being together. I try to understand their shared fascination with the Marvel series or how excited they get when any episode of Star Wars appears just so I can be “in the know.” Secretly, I enjoy having The Office on repeat because it is a show we all enjoy, but typically I am the one laughing the loudest.

Quiet Time

Believe it or not, there are moments when the meal is done yet the TV is off. It seems these young men get weary of being in front of a screen all day. Come nighttime, they occasionally want to shut down. So, what do we do? We collectively yet individually read in the same space so that we are, you guessed it, together.

I do not make a big deal out of this sacred, quiet time. I am thrilled they still enjoy a good book. But I am even more thrilled I am in the same room and that they gravitated toward the common area. Quietly, I oblige and get busy reading.

I have successfully learned to embrace the Covid Containment. We have settled into this pleasant routine of teamwork and cooperation, of respect and responsibility. A balance of independence and togetherness. I realize it is borrowed time, extra time, time I will never get back, but it is also treasured time. I will allow myself this indulgence because I know it will not be this way forever.

For now, we have nothing but time. I intend to enjoy this extended time together with my young adult sons and accept it as the gift it is.

It is hard to believe it will be two years since Covid has infiltrated our world. Read how the pandemic effected my younger son’s senior year of college: Finding His Way Back to College – scribingwithscout

Check out this list of things you can do to beat the Covid Blues (and stay busy!) during the pandemic. I have already partaken in a good many of these suggestions: 10 Productive Things to Do During the Coronavirus Pandemic | ApartmentGuide.com