Our Family's Expectations Have Eased During COVID, and We're Okay With That

My partner left behind a shopping list that read:

Jameson’s Whiskey
Butter
Chipotle Tabasco sauce
Habanero Tabasco sauce

That’s it. While we have plenty of meat in the freezer, extra eggs, and enough toilet paper, there are definitely other essentials we’re missing—like fresh vegetables. This list sums up our life during the lockdown period brought on by COVID-19.

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, we’ve been asked to remain at home, likely until mid-February or beyond.

A Day in Our Lockdown

A day in our lockdown looks like this: We wake up and linger in bed. My partner reads while I catch up on some writing. Our daughter starts her day with FaceTime, followed by Microsoft Teams for school.

We shower and then slip into our “day pajamas,” which can be described as cozy and casual—oversized hoodies and sweatpants, thanks to my partner’s bargain find on Amazon. I don’t usually endorse Amazon (after all, Jeff Bezos is unreasonably wealthy), but these sweatshirts are a joy to wear.

I brew coffee (sometimes my partner does), feed the dog, and let him outside into our tiny garden, where I’ve stopped caring about his bathroom habits.

Breakfast rolls around, my partner works from the kitchen, and our daughter continues her classes from the comfort of her bedroom. Occasionally, I eavesdrop on her lessons, but I’m less involved than before. We used to be hands-on regarding her education; now we just hope the Wi-Fi holds strong.

I take the dog for a walk, give him a bath, and even blow-dry him. At some point, my partner goes for a run while I write things like this.

Lunch is flexible; today, we opted for Domino’s pizza. Sometimes, it’s leftovers or I ask our daughter to prepare her own snack of carrots, cheese, and fruit. If she’s lucky, there’s some prosciutto. Out of sight, she sneaks a packet of chips and a chocolate bar, and I choose to overlook it.

I used to meticulously fold towels right out of the dryer and sweep away leaves that blew inside. Now I merely try to remember to pay bills, schedule the vet, and keep track of my daughter’s eye appointment. I jot these reminders on a calendar, but with so few events, I sometimes forget to check it.

I skim through the countless emails from my daughter’s school. As they navigate remote learning, we parents feel like classroom aides. More often than not, I find myself calling my friend Claire for a quick update.

Evening Routine

By 5 p.m., we wrap up our work. We used to enjoy a drink around 7 p.m., but now a cocktail is ready by 6 p.m.—if not earlier. My partner has mastered the art of martinis, and I’m inclined to share the recipe because they’re that good.

Martini Recipe

3 parts gin (we use Brixton Gin)
1 part vodka (we use Grey Goose)
1/2 part secret ingredient (Cocchi’s Americano aperitif)
A twist of lemon peel

Before dinner, our daughter hops back on FaceTime. Sometimes she bathes, sometimes she doesn’t. Every few days, I wash her hoodie in the hottest cycle possible.

We bond with the dog, play fetch indoors, and ensure he doesn’t nibble on our slippers or laptop cords. Occasionally, we tackle a puzzle together while my partner strums his guitar.

I often remind myself how fortunate we are (and we truly are). Sometimes I cook or my partner takes charge. Just the other night, we savored mussels in a spicy red sauce with chorizo, garlic, onions, and coriander. Guess who cooked that?

We play Rummy during dinner—definitely counts as family time, right? After dinner, our daughter dives back into FaceTime and Roblox. I’m increasingly less concerned about her screen time; she’s facing another lockdown, missing her friends and school, and I want her to connect however she can.

My partner and I have started watching “The Durrells” together. Although we didn’t used to watch much TV, it’s become our evening routine. Sometimes we binge-watch two episodes while enjoying whiskey and sodas. The dog curls up with us on the couch, blissfully breaking our rule about pets on the furniture.

“The Durrells” portrays a British family relocating to Corfu before World War II, living in delightful chaos. They make us laugh and remind us that we aren’t so dysfunctional after all.

Eventually, we retreat to bed, read, turn off the lights, and then repeat.

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Summary

This article reflects on how a family’s standards and routines shifted during the COVID-19 lockdown. With a humorous take, it showcases the relaxed approach to daily life, from casual attire and meals to family bonding activities. Despite the chaos, the family appreciates their fortune while navigating this unique period.