We are now almost through the second week of the quarantine in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. While we all want to do our part to flatten the curve, this time can be stressful and anxiety producing. Like most of you, I have felt a wide array of feelings over the last two weeks, including fear, anxiety and anger. The first few days of this situation awakened anxiety in me that I have not felt in many years. Thankfully, a conversation with my seven year old daughter changed my entire viewpoint.

At bedtime this past weekend, I asked my oldest how she was feeling in response to the “stay in”. She happily exclaimed, “I love it!” That night, I reflected on how our past week was going. My daughter is prone to explosive tantrums and meltdowns and in the last two weeks, she has experienced barely any. She is happy and does nothing but laugh and sing all day. When I asked her why she was so happy, she said simply, “because I am home with mommy.” It is that simple for a child and the moment truly put things in perspective for me.

After further reflection, I realized a few things. The first one being that it feels very much like time has slowed down for me. Like most working moms, the days and weeks with children seem to fly by at warp speed. I often find myself in situations in which I wish I could just freeze time. Well, this time at home is finally a chance to do so. I am now living a life with my children and husband that is uninterrupted by a schedule that includes an endless array of dance, sports, religious education, birthday parties, meetings, playdates, coordinating work schedules, arranging childcare and maintaining the household….should I go on? Instead, this “stay in” is an opportunity to live life in a more casual and relaxed way and to do some of the things that I love to do, but never have the time to do.

I know we see a lot of color coded schedules out there and if that works for you and your family that is fantastic. We have decided to follow a loose schedule in this household. It includes 2-3 hours of schoolwork each day, at least two hours of activity, which can be either inside or outside and then the rest of the day is relaxed. The kids have been playing with their toys for hours, they make art, they sing, they have dance parties; they are using their imaginations more than ever. We play board games together as a family, eat our meals together, cook those meals together. The girls even get to stay up late and sleep late, getting the rest that they truly need. I am not saying that we are living in some kind of utopian household…there are still moments when I get annoyed with my children or husband, the still girls bicker over inane things, but if I take a step back and look at the whole picture, I realize that this is the kind of quality time together as a family that years from now I will wish with all my might I could have back again.

I am committed to our healthcare professionals request to remain inside to “flatten the curve.” During this time, I also want to help the community in any way I can, so I decided that I would try to help those who wish to document this time home with their family. Art has always been therapeutic for me and I hope it will be for you too. Over the next few weeks, I am going to be posting simple tips for capturing documentary photos in my Facebook group. I welcome you to be a part of the community. You do not need a fancy camera to participate, but you do need to commit to staying home and shooting each day. In the group, you can share your images, ask questions about topics relating to photography, ask for feedback and use the space to explore your creative side. My goal is that you will capture these precious moments, both the good and the bad. so that years from now when you return to the daily grind of life, you can remember just how precious this time was. If there is something you want me to cover, feel free to send me a message. To join the group, click here.