How a daily schedule is helping one family stay grounded during the coronavirus lockdown.

“Buenos Dias, mama!” he says to me with full confidence. “I love you too,” I reply, half conscious of what I’m saying, half worried about food, life, people-in-service-on-the-streets-in-danger, the hungry poor and repercussions of each quarantine day. My messy thoughts are interrupted by his uproarious laughter. “I was saying ‘Good Morning’ in Spanish!” he says choking on his own mirth. 

I wish I could be positive like this little boy of mine. But I’ll admit, the strong one of the house is feeling a bit weak. And distracted. I can’t seem to concentrate on one single job at hand. I’m entertaining every flitting thought. Checking if online grocery services are back in action is a repeat temptation right now.

I don’t think I’ve ever had this much trouble working from home, and I have done it for 17 years now. Yes, 17. At a time when Internet speeds weren’t great, whether I had househelp/not, and often single-handed with three children. Why on earth is it such a challenge now? 

I guess it has to do with our basic needs being challenged. When my brain is in primeval ‘hunter-gatherer’ mode, every other activity seems futile at the moment. 

Yesterday, both Mr. Dad and I woke up early and arrived at a grocery store at 6am. It was closed. We went to another at 10am and queued up, socially distanced. When I finally entered and saw the groceries, I was ready to burst into tears. It was a scary moment where I didn’t recognise what I’d become. We returned home with some groceries, still refusing to hoard.

Today, when I should be glad that there is food, I’m still panicked. 

It’s time I took a leaf out of Mr. Boy’s book and keep the schedule I set for the whole family. What do we do? Late wake up (9.30am), followed by a quiet time of individual reading and prayer. This has turned out to be a great time, as each person has something they have learned/read to share. Communication is smoother and we’re inspiring each other. It’s really encouraging. 

Then a quick breakfast (yes, they’re fussing occasionally), and a short Family Exercise (Biggest Sister’s responsibility). She’s happy to get online and find fun workouts for us all – stretches, dances, and whatnot.

Exercise is followed by two hours of Study Time. What to study is up to them. All three have chosen languages – hence Mr. Boy’s Spanish greeting this morning. They’re also doing art, writing their own books(!), and making projects on topics I help decide.

After lunch, we do a child-friendly Vernacular Movie so that they will learn a local language. Resistance here too, so we’re alternating between their choice and mine. I won’t pick every battle at this point.

After the movie, we have My Time where they can do whatever they please for an hour. We all look forward to this time which is basically a breather from five people being in the same space all day. And needed… because the next hour is Cleaning Time and all are invited! 

We end with Journalling. It’s keeping everyone busy and mindful of the day, what went wrong, what we are grateful for, etc. Through the day, we check up on at least one friend, preferably through video. Social Connect is very, very important for mental health.

Just listing the schedule has made me calm down already. It’s a good one; I should follow it myself. Everyone around me seems to be grounded, thanks to it. Maybe, I’ll write a column in Mandarin. In about one year.