This is such a difficult and emotional time for everyone, and I’m not sure there is anyone who isn’t facing some sort of challenge right now. So I wanted to provide a space to talk about the challenges we’re facing as we’re on lockdown, facing the loneliness of social distancing, or perhaps once again feeling marginalized because we don’t have children.
What challenges are you facing in this era of Covid-19?
I can’t see the children that I do have in my life: nieces, nephews, step children. I’m feeling my grief again at being childless by circumstance. On the positive side I’m really enjoying having a bit of time to myself and a pause from my relentless schedule.
I dont think it is just those that dont have children but it is Widows and Single women alone. It is tough when we cannot get out and we are by ourselves. I know many that have children whom live in other States. If you have a spouse with them be Thankful because sometimes just having someone to talk to would help. Yes we call each other but a live person would help.
I am a childless widow and it is hard.
I haven’t read it yet, but I saw this article and thought of you.
Sorry Lenita, the link didn’t go in. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/the-lily/coronavirus-women-living-alone/?fbclid=IwAR1fU315a1O__qwTJR1rrqd2xRymXKr3NS4JJVsFu8OK1DPOGICBDZTqAUk&itid=hp_rhp-banner-main_lily-solitude-3pm:homepage/story-ans&utm_sq=gdvukem5qa
Everyone complaining about their children is hard to take.
For me, I’ve not only been social distancing physically, but I’ve had to distance from social media too. It’s hard when I see people complain about having to work from home with their little one being a bother, or seeing them complain about teaching their little one things they would learn in school. When that’s all I want to be able to do. When they’re experiencing all the things I want to experience. When I see their innocent pictures of their homes, but all my eyes can focus on is the high chair in their kitchen or the pack’n’play in the corner. Having to distance even farther from everyone is really tough.
My husband and I just finished our diagnostic part of our infertility journey at the beginning of March, with nothing physically wrong that they can see. We have to wait a little longer until businesses are back up and running until we can continue our journey, so the waiting in that aspect is especially difficult.
I’m still very grateful of the partner I have, so I’m staying optimistic. I tell him all the time, if he can just keep me laughing through the tough times like he always has, we’ll get to the other side of this no problem!
Sorry you’re finding it hard Lenita. I’m incredibly lucky in that I have a government job and aside from working at home (which my agency was already set up for), work has continued as usual. I think that has been a big help. I’d go a bit stir-crazy otherwise. I am also single and shopping when you work full-time has been a bit of a challenge. My big advantage is being a crafter. I feel crafters have come into their own in a big way. We already have loads to do that work funds, but gets in the way of. There’s a huge community sharing funny memes (that are all pretty true), enthusastically diving into projects and loving the extra time at home. The only downside for me is having to work when my embroidery threads are just right there! I’m also pretty social and have been proactive in getting in touch with people by phone and email. That’s been helpful for me as well as them.
I’m having a hard time with the social media posts. Friends with children are regularly complaining about time with their kids at home 24/7 and while I understand the stress of that, I envy them and wish I had kids at home to spend time with. It’s also hard in that while I am fortunate to have my job, I regularly see colleagues with their kids in the background on video meetings. They just seem to be in their happy place. On the flip side, I feel fortunate that I wouldn’t have to juggle parenting, a job, housework and all of that, but in all I wish I had children.
I could have written this. Same situation here.