I work for a federal agency that has embraced full time telework for many years. I used to pump out at 120% capacity working from home. Now, with two teenagers and a husband also working from home, I am hitting closer to 80% productivity. I think it's okay to give yourself some self care, and cut yourself (and your kids, regarding school work) a big time break. These are strange times.

Anonymous wrote:I am an only child and I always said it would be at least 2 kids or none because I didn’t want to replicate the only child dynamic. There are plenty of perks to being an only child and lots of downsides too. I am happy with my choice, and I’m sure the folks with 1 child are happy with theirs so why argue about it?

It's nice of you to say people with one child are probably happy, but it's also clear you don't mean it when you refer to replicating "the only child dynamic." Do you mean the dynamic that existed for you, in your family or origin? I'm sorry it wasn't good, but no dynamic based on family size is universal: not all large families are loud, not all onlies are lonely, not all twin sisters are competitive, not all youngest are spoiled, not all oldest are leaders, etc...

I am not buying any gift cards to local restaurants or businesses.

I could afford to buy a couple but I worry that by the time I could use them, the restaurant or business will be out of business and I won't be able to use them. I think many will fold soon.

I am an only child and I always said it would be at least 2 kids or none because I didn’t want to replicate the only child dynamic. There are plenty of perks to being an only child and lots of downsides too. I am happy with my choice, and I’m sure the folks with 1 child are happy with theirs so why argue about it?

Anonymous wrote:I am an essential healthcare worker and the day everyone is let out their homes, I am going to be running for my house and want to stay there.I have actually been home slightly less than I was before the lock down (with the exception of chauffering my kids to sports.)

Thank you for what you do. Truly.

I didn't read all 29 pages, so this has probably already been covered. I haven't worn underwear in 3 weeks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm gloating about families with 4+ kids who are stuck at home with them and can't escape and are forced to fully enjoy the consequences of the choices they made. That will teach them a lesson.

We have 4 girls, close in age, and have never been so thankful to have a large family. They play with each constantly and have not suffered from loneliness or boredom one bit. I feel sad for the little boy next door who sits alone in his backyard and watches them play together.

Does he actually look sad and lonely, or are you projecting that onto him? A lot of only kids thrive with the peace and quiet of being an only. There are advantages and disadvantages to both family sizes. He might be miserable, but he also might not be.

But have you noticed how many single children always have at least two children?

This is interesting and I've noted the opposite effect, too. My dad was the oldest of 7 children; three of his siblings never married/no children.
FIL is youngest of 8: several had just one child, two had none, the rest 2 only.
SIL oldest of 8...she had 2, one brother zero, one sister has 4 but the rest...two.

And, I'll add I always wanted to be an only child. I grew up in a chaotic, loud, dysfunctional family with three other siblings.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm gloating about families with 4+ kids who are stuck at home with them and can't escape and are forced to fully enjoy the consequences of the choices they made. That will teach them a lesson.

We have 4 girls, close in age, and have never been so thankful to have a large family. They play with each constantly and have not suffered from loneliness or boredom one bit. I feel sad for the little boy next door who sits alone in his backyard and watches them play together.

You sound insufferable. You have no idea what his parents might have gone through or the reasons that they have only one child, so don’t be a smug jerk. BTW, you are not special for pumping out four kids. Dogs do it all the time.

How vile thou art.

Go screw thyself.

DP. See above.

I rarely wear contact lenses now. It’s just me, kids, and spouse, so why bother?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did zero work yesterday. Watched random movies on prime in bed. Got out of bed, spent 45 mins on the treadmill and had chips and dip for dinner then ate 2 big pieces of cake.

Your honesty makes me feel less guilty. In normal times, I give 110% at work. At home, and under the current circumstances, I can only muster 50-60%. I feel out of sorts working from home, and constantly trying to keep the death angel at bay has not helped.

I work for an agency that is anti-telework so we had no process in place when this all happened, and it's been a bit of a mess trying to make it work.

Every agency is anti-telework to some degree; mid level managers are the ones most resistant to it.

Ironically, every administration (D and R alike) has pushed telework in the DC area.

It’s the federal managers who are the problem.

Agreed, which is another reason I am giving myself a break and not trying to kill myself to make it work. Had they not been so resistant to at least a pilot of the telework process, it wouldn't have been such a disaster setting it up in one day. Weeks later, it is still a mess. Most of what we need is maintained on the internal site, which we don't have access to from home.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did zero work yesterday. Watched random movies on prime in bed. Got out of bed, spent 45 mins on the treadmill and had chips and dip for dinner then ate 2 big pieces of cake.

Your honesty makes me feel less guilty. In normal times, I give 110% at work. At home, and under the current circumstances, I can only muster 50-60%. I feel out of sorts working from home, and constantly trying to keep the death angel at bay has not helped.

I work for an agency that is anti-telework so we had no process in place when this all happened, and it's been a bit of a mess trying to make it work.

Every agency is anti-telework to some degree; mid level managers are the ones most resistant to it.

Ironically, every administration (D and R alike) has pushed telework in the DC area.

It’s the federal managers who are the problem.

Anonymous wrote:I did zero work yesterday. Watched random movies on prime in bed. Got out of bed, spent 45 mins on the treadmill and had chips and dip for dinner then ate 2 big pieces of cake.

Your honesty makes me feel less guilty. In normal times, I give 110% at work. At home, and under the current circumstances, I can only muster 50-60%. I feel out of sorts working from home, and constantly trying to keep the death angel at bay has not helped.

I work for an agency that is anti-telework so we had no process in place when this all happened, and it's been a bit of a mess trying to make it work.

I’m obsessed with buying decorative protective face masks from online vendors. I’ve purchased over 20 so far, and I’m nowhere near being finished. There just so cute and stylish!

I did zero work yesterday. Watched random movies on prime in bed. Got out of bed, spent 45 mins on the treadmill and had chips and dip for dinner then ate 2 big pieces of cake.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm gloating about families with 4+ kids who are stuck at home with them and can't escape and are forced to fully enjoy the consequences of the choices they made. That will teach them a lesson.

We have 4 girls, close in age, and have never been so thankful to have a large family. They play with each constantly and have not suffered from loneliness or boredom one bit. I feel sad for the little boy next door who sits alone in his backyard and watches them play together.

So, when do you spend time with them. Sounds like you like multiple kids so less work/interaction for you. My only is loving the time with us but its our normal and he's not lonely at all.