Quarantined with a Toddler
I have a video on my phone of Hazel running around in circles yelling “I’m going crazy. I’m going crazy” over and over again. But I can’t upload it on this platform… you get the idea…. We made it through the work week! But we are feeling it… incredibly grateful the sun has been shining here in Vancouver and the yard has become another room we can all take shifts in. That’s pretty much how the day works, in shifts. For many of us, being at home has thrown our regular schedules out the window. From everything I have read, establishing a new daily routine can help assemble some sense of normalcy during these weird times. My current routine heavily revolves around my two and a half year old niece while Kate and Alex are still working their full time jobs, from home.
6:30am - Wake up. A bit earlier than my usual start time, but I’ve been naturally waking up this early. I could possibly steal another hour of sleep before Hazel gets up, but this hour has become kind of precious to me, to be alone. It’s when I do most of these posts.
7:30-8:30am - Breakfast with the fam. Kate and Alex adopted a bread maker from my mom and dad at Christmas, much to Kate’s chagrin (the thing takes up half a counter). But in these new circumstances, it is being used almost every other day. Waking up to the smell of fresh bread is incredibly comforting. It should be a candle scent if it’s not already. And I don’t even eat bread.
8:30-9:30am - attempting to all get dressed, washed, and teeth brushed for the day. Yes, this takes an hour and no i am not doing my hair or putting on any make up. Between cleaning up breakfast, unloading the dishwasher, responding to demands for the Frozen soundtrack, finding socks and making a second round of coffees, this hour goes by in a series of minutes.
9:30-11:00am - adventure with Hazel. We cover a span of maybe 6-8 blocks around the neighbourhood. Hazel rides her wooden Runners bike (AKA her Pony named Janny - which is also her imaginary brother’s name) and I spend most of the time walking backwards ahead of her. We go on every wooden swing (nothing plastic or metal and we aren’t allowed to go to the playground right now… she has come to terms with it) and knock on every little door hidden the nook of a tree (there are an astonishing amount of these). We hunt for foxes and wash off in imaginary waterfalls and have very enlightening conversations. This is one of my favourite parts of the day.
11:00-12:30pm - Dad’s shift. Alex subs in and I work on the computer for an hour. Since this no longer consists of emailing for gigs or sending off set lists, I am spending my time organizing my songs for licensing opportunities, co-designing new merch (coming soon), and creating a Patreon page for fans to support me via a monthly subscription (and get access to unreleased videos, songs and more). I am also preparing for the release of an acoustic version of my latest single “Disappear”.
12:30-1:30pm - Lunch. Honestly, my body loves scheduled eating. Takes me back to my office job days…
1:30-3:30pm - Hazel naps. Another favourite part of my day. This is where I’ll usually pop in a podcast (something non-news related) and go for a walk for an hour or do a home work out in between some more social media/website/whatever work.
3:30-5:30 - Mom takes a shift somewhere in here, painting with Hazel outside or baking cookies or some sort of activity. I also might take Haze on a bike ride (on the front of Kate’s bike, which is very fun and full of insight).
5:30-7:30 - Dinner. Prep, consuming and cleaning, which we are all taking turns doing.
7:30-8:00pm - Bath and bed (for Hazel).
8:00-10:00pm - Attempted movie watch while Hazel spends the next 1-1.5 hours coming up with excuses to be awake. Then Alex and Kate sleep.
10:00-11:00pm - Journaling and Reading. I am currently reading The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. It’s a Toltec Wisdom Book…revealing the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy. It’s good I promise. I also journal/check in with how I’m doing and what I’m thankful for, or often just free write. Then I sleep.
It’s not a bad day at all, but man is it different. Single parents my heart is WITH YOU during these times. There are 3 of us trading off between one child, and it is a lot. The thing is there really isn’t any down time until Hazel goes to bed, because you are either on Hazel duty or on a power hour of work, squeezing every last bit of juice out of those minutes. Also I can’t sing in this house... Kate and Alex live above another couple with a new born baby and I don’t really have my own space here. I am definitely feeling that lack of release (hence the blog). This weekend I am very much looking forward to some alone time to make some music, quietly… somewhere…
Nevertheless I am incredibly grateful for a family I love, a bed to sleep in (by myself), and people to share this insane experience with. What are you grateful for today?