Inside a Mama Minute

Since we’re in the first days of the Covid-19 school closure can I say this is utterly confusing and frustrating? There is no uniformity in how educational activities, lesson plans, and assignments are distributed. Internet service is spotty because the system is under stress from heavy use. I know it was important to cancel school to curb the exposure of Covid-19, however, this is a heavy lift for mothers across the board. No matter if you work from home or outside of the home responsibility for children still falls primarily on the shoulders of mothers.

Is it unfair? Yes. Although it is a reality for many families and this is not a slight against fathers. The rearing of children falls to mothers because we’re the first responder to their needs, food, sanitary needs, and safety. Many times mothers will tell you that children bypass their fathers to ask Mama where something is even when Dad is right there and perfectly capable. The constant needing is all-consuming. It’s Mommy, mommy, mommy, and mommy all day long it’s almost maddening.

So to keep my sanity, my peace of mind, I walk daily. Walking keeps me sane, fresh air helps to lift the fog of cabin fever. Exercise has long been prescribed to aid in mental health. During my darkest days when I was trapped in the abyss of darkness, my therapist suggested that I work out or at least take a twenty-minute walk to clear my head. Although I laughed at this suggestion it did help. For me taking medication was not an option. Aspirin makes me sleepy and I like to be in full control of my faculties. So I walk and walk some more each day, sometimes twice a day to help lift my spirit and mood.

Yes, there are assignments, learning schedules, housework, meals to prepare, and loads of laundry, however, there is only one you. Yes, you’re a Mom, wife, sister, daughter, and friend, but you owe it to yourself to take care of you before you take care of everything else that is on your plate. Before you tackle that homework packet, office work, plan the day’s meals or toss in another load of laundry make sure that you’ve taken a minute to yourself or at least scheduled time for yourself. The world will continue to spin and Covid-19 will continue to wreak havoc. Now go and tackle the day.