As parents, we are being called into a new normal, people may consider “new normal” offensive, but if you break it down we will never return to how we lived in January. And no it is not because of toilet paper or lack thereof. Its because we have changed. Like it or not, we have all had unique experiences from the pandemic and whether you like it or not, you have changed.

Change is inevitable. When we are forced to act differently, change patterns, change from what we do…we arrive at a new normal. My normal today is different than last week and different from what it will be next week. Honestly, if everything tomorrow was opened, schools were opened, are you the same person you were before the pandemic?

Let’s look at this in the context of parenting. Am I the same parent I was 6 weeks ago. Hell no! In the past 6 weeks of transitioning to teleworking and schooling from home, I have engaged with my kids and learned so much about them. I have gotten to see some of their learning habits, of which I could have only learned second hand from their teachers. I have seen them engage with their teachers and other students in a learning environment. These are glimpses of my Children that are not often available and I am soaking up every minute.

I understand we have a lot on our plate and we have adult concerns, stresses and frustrations but in the moments I get to experience this, it is amazing. In the midst of all of this, we are getting the opportunity to strengthen #TeamJackson. We are getting to problem-solve together, learn together and support each other.

I am not a teacher, I don’t have the education of a teacher, but I can learn how to support their learning and support their teachers. I know this takes a lot of time and juggling. For me as a parent when I am teleworking in the same environment as the kids are learning, I am exhausted, my brain hurts from the mental gymnastics but I have to remember to pause and take a deep breath and enjoy the moment. This is so hard and I am not telling you this because I do this well. I am telling you this because I am learning it too and it works.

At night when I am winding down, in my bedtime routine and reflecting on the day and giving thanks for my many blessings, those little moments where we paused and soaked in the crazy, or the frustration are the moments I find myself so thankful for the blessing of just being able to be a Mom.

We are finding a new normal, and who knows, it may be very close to what our normal was before the pandemic, but it won’t be the same.

Can you honestly tell me when you are out Black Friday shopping, if you choose to partake, and you are standing in line that reaches from the back of the store to the front of the store, that it won’t cross your mind how 6 months ago social distancing was a thing?

Just some crazy food for thought as I reflect on parenting and the impact on parenting.

Hope you try again tomorrow, you know I will.