Two Families, One Pandemic, Two Divergent Approaches

Navigating the Pandemic: A Tale of Two Families

Two of our writers, Jessica and Laura, have experienced the pandemic in markedly different ways. Here, they share the decisions they made and the reasoning behind their approaches.

Jessica, Northeastern Mom of Three

I have five-year-old twin daughters who started kindergarten this year, and a fourteen-year-old son who entered 9th grade — both significant transitions in their educational journeys. My role as a full-time program director at a small nonprofit in NYC shifted entirely to remote work. Meanwhile, my spouse, Sam, a hospital chaplain, returned to work, often interacting with COVID-19 patients. By summer, I found myself facing an unfamiliar mental fatigue. We were exhausted from managing our children’s internet usage on their Chromebooks, ensuring they submitted art and gym assignments, coordinating virtual meetings for our son’s educational support, and adapting to his new high school schedule. It felt overwhelming. Throughout the pandemic, we ventured out to Target and the grocery store, taking those risks just to escape the monotony. We went hiking and spent time outdoors daily, figuring out how to coexist with the pandemic.

Laura, Southern Mom of Three

I have three boys, ages seven, eight, and eleven, who have always been homeschooled. My husband is a public school teacher, and his work transitioned to remote almost immediately, remaining that way until November. Recognizing that the pandemic would likely be a long-term situation, we invested in an above-ground pool and a trampoline in April. Living in a state with one of the highest COVID-19 rates in the country, we noticed that many locals disregarded health guidelines, and even our homeschooling community began to ignore CDC recommendations early on. With the high positive rate and lack of mask mandates, we’ve kept our children away from most public places. I’ve taken them to Target twice, and only my eldest has gone grocery shopping, where we often found ourselves reminding others to maintain distance. Essentially, my sons have not interacted with other children for a year.

Jessica: Our Sanitization Practices

Before the pandemic, I was already a fan of hand sanitizer, but it has become second nature now. We have large bottles in both cars. Whenever the kids get into the car after school, they receive a dose of sanitizer. At home, their clothes go directly into the wash, and they head straight for the shower. I wash their hair every other day, and they receive fresh masks daily. When Sam comes home from the hospital, she heads straight to the shower as well, and her clothes go into the wash. After every outing, whether to the grocery store or on a hike, we follow the same routine — no stops until we reach the laundry room. Thankfully, no one in our household has contracted the virus.

Laura: Our Sanitization Practices

I used to be the mom who said that a little dirt never hurt anyone, but the pandemic changed that mindset. We even sanitized our mail at one point. Now, we have eased up, trusting sunlight and fresh air to handle any lingering germs. When we do go indoors, such as to a visitor center, we limit our time and rely on nature to help with our masks, washing them regularly. My kids don’t change clothes after outings, but my husband strips and heads straight for a shower when he returns home from work.

Jessica: Grocery Shopping Strategies

I’ve learned to navigate my Amazon Prime app, replacing my regular grocery trips with online shopping — something I never did before the pandemic. By February 2021, I was done with the long waits outside in the cold for Trader Joe’s. My commitment to social justice allowed me to reconcile that my use of services like Instacart was also helping someone put food on their table.

Laura: Grocery Shopping Strategies

Given that about half of our state’s residents don’t wear masks, we limit grocery runs to quick visits during off-peak hours. For larger grocery lists, we’ve relied on delivery throughout the pandemic. While we dislike the added costs, we always tip generously, recognizing that these workers risk their health to provide for our needs.

Jessica: Schooling During the Pandemic

As a mixed-race family, my wife and I understand the transformative power of education. Sam’s career as a hospital chaplain reassured us about sending our kids back to school; she’s primarily interacted with adults, not children. We receive daily updates from our school district about COVID-19 infection rates and adhere to strict safety protocols. Masks, social distancing, and hygiene measures are enforced, ensuring a safer environment for our children.

Laura: Schooling During the Pandemic

Homeschooling has remained consistent for my kids, but my husband’s role as a public school teacher has introduced significant stress regarding safety. With high infection rates and uncertainty about classes, discussions about the pandemic can become heated. Thankfully, his classroom is well-ventilated, and he has recently received the vaccine after a few COVID-19 scares.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, we each believe we made the best decisions for our families. Our children need support and social connections outside our home. With summer approaching, we are planning vacations and summer activities, always masked and vigilant.

In contrast, while our kids have faced isolation, we believe it has been a worthy sacrifice to protect our health. Our children have learned the importance of prioritizing safety over outings, and through regular family Zoom calls, they have maintained connections. It’s been challenging, but we recognize our privilege in being able to make these choices.

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In summary, two families navigated the same pandemic but adopted different strategies that aligned with their values and circumstances. They each found ways to ensure their children’s education and well-being while balancing safety and mental health.