Days are looking different here at the Cucci Stronghold. They have for the past 58 days. (I’ll just let that number marinate for a minute…) With the husband working from home, 3 kiddos under an e-learning mandate and myself job hunting, it’s going to be a miracle if I won’t need a psychiatrist or AA meeting when this is all over.
To the mother who ever thought homeschooling would be fun- and still does, bless your heart. I checked that box off my bucket list around Day 9. The usernames, the passwords, the timers. The constant bantering between parent and child; the constant bantering between brother and sister. It’s a god awful soundtrack that seems to be stuck on the same tracks; “He’s Not Doing it Right” and “She Won’t Stop Looking at My Chromebook”. If I had a dime for every time they have looked me in the face and told me I was doing math the “wrong way”, I would not have needed a stimulus check. Seriously. Kudos to all you teachers out there. Clearly you’ve been blessed with an infinite amount of patience.
WANTED: SUBSTITUTE HOMESCHOOL TEACHER FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE COVID-19 SCHOOL YEAR.SINCERELY, ONE TIRED MOM.
As if playing teacher wasn’t exciting enough, I’m also ringmaster. Unfortunately, I wasn’t given the cute hat to hide this mane of split ends and dry shampoo during Chromebook pickup. It’s been great fun trying to handle this troop of chimpanzees while the hubby is on a conference call, or even better, a Zoom meeting. What gives with these “animals”?! They NEVER step foot in our bedroom, but now that Dad has a make shift office in the corner of it, they want in- All. The. Time. Understanding that a closed door means “Keep Out” and not “please, stand outside and scream through me” has proven to be a challenge. This ringmaster is confident to share however, that the concept is finally starting to “click”. I’d like to think it has absolutely nothing to do with the M&M’s I throw around like peanuts to elephants- go ahead, call it a bribe- I know I’m not alone. If M&M’s keep them away from Dad on a call then here you go, have them all! No doubt they should have this skill mastered in the next couple of weeks with the amount of M&M’s they have consumed.
Speaking of M&M’s. Is anyone’s kitchen as sparse as mine is right now??I’ve never seen food disappear so fast. You would think I’m raising an army. Don’t get me wrong, we started strong, kitchen fully stocked- even our basement freezer, filled to the brim. Fruit, veggies, cheese sticks, chicken nuggets, popcorn, bread, cookies. Anything their little tummies could crave. But these kids, they eat- like constantly. I’m not even sure where they’re putting it. I joke about a steel gate at the kitchen entrance because the whole “kitchen closed” mentality in these monsters is simply non existent. I don’t need to eat because watching them makes me full. My bathroom scale is secretly thanking them.
WANTED: HOUSE ELF TO MAINTAIN FOOD AND WINE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE COVID-19 QUARANTINE.
SINCERELY, 3 HUNGRY KIDS AND 1 THIRSTY MOM
These past 58 days have tried my patience, my grace, and my temper. They have made me gray in spots I wasn’t before. But, truth is, they have also been a gift. I’ve spent time with the kids creating shape monsters and musical instruments out of empty milk gallons and tissue boxes. I’ve been able to sneak kisses from my hubby midday. I’ve been able to maintain what once were mountains of laundry to manageable hills. I’ve been able to perfect a mean waffle and turkey burger. I’ve been able to entertain job interviews while smoke alarms sounded off in the background and dogs barked like there was a robbery in progress. I have been reminded that we are all in this together and blessed with another day; even though it may be grounded on the most unusual of circumstances.
At the end of it all, I’m proud to report that I am still alive and for the most part, sane, (thanks to my hubby and friends, Truly and Moscato). So, here’s to you moms: hang in there and cheers to another 58+ days- because. Summer Break. 😉
XO, Melissa
