Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a bit envious of an acquaintance who while on quarantine makes science and history lessons for her DC, very interesting art/design projects, architectural projects - build replicas of dream houses, etc.
Her DD won school and regional local science fairs at age 10 with some complex project on plastics.

I on the other hand, am just trying to get on with my work from home. DC is in private school and they're working on some pretty interesting stuff, but probably not at that level.

too much tiktok envy

What do you mean?

Anonymous wrote:I'm a bit envious of an acquaintance who while on quarantine makes science and history lessons for her DC, very interesting art/design projects, architectural projects - build replicas of dream houses, etc.
Her DD won school and regional local science fairs at age 10 with some complex project on plastics.

I on the other hand, am just trying to get on with my work from home. DC is in private school and they're working on some pretty interesting stuff, but probably not at that level.

Are you aware of all these enriching projects via social media? If so, don’t believe the hype. I shudder for these kids who are made to grin for the camera in front of the elaborate set-ups their parents have concocted for them.

Personally, I’m glad to be working now even though I don’t even like my job. If I had nothing else to focus on and could only hover over my kids all day, I think I’d be driving them and myself crazy.

Anonymous wrote:If it makes you feel better, I’m a SAHM and I’m not supplementing or doing cool projects or having “living room dance parties” or any of the things that might make a working mom feel bad. I am getting more sleep, true. And life is kinda cushy not having to drive everyone around now. But just so you know- my kids’ lives aren’t enriched right now! And we don’t have as much money as you probably do. And your career is giving you something else to think about other than, I guess I really should stand up right now. Oh nah, I’ll just keep sitting. 😂

But aren't you worried your kids will fall behind? Never win in science fares and won't learn architecture principals? I'm serious.

I'm the opposite, I am LOVING my time in my home office working!

Its way easier and ultimately more helpful to our family than it would be to have me (a grown adult who makes a lot of money) doing 3rd grade science. My kids can handle their school, and if they can't, I need their teachers to do their job while I do mine.

I'd rather be doing the work than trying to keep children quiet so other adults can work.

I am jealous of all people who are working from home. I do not see my kids at all, maybe 2 hours a day, I am working 12 hour shifts pretty much every day but Sunday. The kids are home with my husband who is pretty much losing it, trying to work from home and managing their online school. I do not care about their education at this point at all, just worried about mental wellness.

Anonymous wrote:i have to say - I am so jealous of people without kids right now.

Same! All they talk about is what delectable stuff they're cooking, how they're feeding their yeast or whatever, etc.

No SAHPs in my social circles, and don't feel jealous of anyone home with kids all day. I'd maybe rally to do a couple cool projects per week if not working, but not sure I have the energy or know-how to replicate that daily from now through the fall.

I started the quarantine thankful we both have jobs in case one person loses a job the other could support. Now two months I’m starting to crack and wonder if I should just quit but I know my husband would freak about finances and not let me especially now.

I have 3 kids between the ages of 5 and 10 but they practically have free time all day. Lol. Most of the time I think it’s a good change from their overscheduled prior lives but something is hitting me hard in the past few days - I think it’s summer camps being canceled, swim team being canceled and realizing this is going to the whole summer too. And who even knows if they will go back to school in the fall.

That has nothing to do with working or not but interests.

Anonymous wrote:I'm a bit envious of an acquaintance who while on quarantine makes science and history lessons for her DC, very interesting art/design projects, architectural projects - build replicas of dream houses, etc.
Her DD won school and regional local science fairs at age 10 with some complex project on plastics.

I on the other hand, am just trying to get on with my work from home. DC is in private school and they're working on some pretty interesting stuff, but probably not at that level.

too much tiktok envy

My kids love riding their bikes. My youngest is 4, so I still need to be with her. We get out and bike down to the neighborhood pool every day, to go down the hill that leads to the empty parking lot.

My oldest is enjoying school things. When I can, I add to whatever she's working on, usually just by extended conversation. But you know, all things considered, we are fortunate to have the equipment and the two-parents-WFH capacity to make her 1st grade experience a pretty good one in these circumstances.

Do the best you can. Get outside every day. Do some fun stuff like sidewalk chalk art, or even just baking cookies. Just have a nice day every day, in any way you can.

Stop putting unnecessary pressure on yourself.

In less than than 2 weeks I will be going from trying to work full time to about 1/4 time (as happens every summer with my job). Part of me is looking forward to being less frazzled, but part of me is dreading it. Work is a mental escape, and it's been nice to take breaks from childcare during the day to hop on meetings (most of my work is now being done at night and on weekends). Once I have a lot less work to do, I won't have anything to distract me from this nightmare, and I won't get the little breaks during the day. Theoretically I will have more time to be Pinterest mom and set up cool educational activities for my two young children, but in reality I am probably experiencing a mild depression right now (aren't we all?) and lacking the motivation to do it.

I’m a SAHM of 3. No artistic ability whatsoever. I did buy a ton of art supplies. My oldest just turned 11 and loves art. He makes lots of cool stuff but it has nothing to do with me. His Minecraft worlds are actually quite creative once I actually paid attention to what he was building.

I make sure my kids do all their schoolwork, sign on to their various virtual lessons and meetings and play instruments.

We go on early morning outings and bike rides around the neighborhood. It is pretty damn boring. Nothing to envy over here.

i have to say - I am so jealous of people without kids right now.

If it makes you feel better, I’m a SAHM and I’m not supplementing or doing cool projects or having “living room dance parties” or any of the things that might make a working mom feel bad. I am getting more sleep, true. And life is kinda cushy not having to drive everyone around now. But just so you know- my kids’ lives aren’t enriched right now! And we don’t have as much money as you probably do. And your career is giving you something else to think about other than, I guess I really should stand up right now. Oh nah, I’ll just keep sitting. 😂

I'm a bit envious of an acquaintance who while on quarantine makes science and history lessons for her DC, very interesting art/design projects, architectural projects - build replicas of dream houses, etc.
Her DD won school and regional local science fairs at age 10 with some complex project on plastics.

I on the other hand, am just trying to get on with my work from home. DC is in private school and they're working on some pretty interesting stuff, but probably not at that level.