NOVEMBER 2020 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 39
FAMILY & EDUCATION
LAND OF MOTHERS
SOLACE AMID COVID-19
BY DONNA DUARTE-LADD
Now that school has started, and moms
have worked to get into a rhythm, one
of the many things I have heard from
my friends is that they are going about
their day, yet there are days when we all
miss other mothers’ connection.
There is a sense that something feels a
bit adrift. Although experts can share
how to manage these moments, it is
also helpful knowing how other moms
are working through their funks in
the time of COVID-19. We asked a few
moms to share what brings them some
joy, whether it is in self-care, connecting
with friends, or just taking in the quiet
of the morning.
“My girlfriends and I have made a habit
of finding a funny parenting meme or
short video and sharing it via text at the
start of each week,” says Denise Courter
of Fidi Families. “It’s a great way to
laugh and remind ourselves that we are
all in this together, and though we might
not see each other, we are still there for
each other.”
Sasadi Odunsi of Brooklyn Bead Collective,
and ambassador for Every
Mom Counts, emphasizes the need for
self-care.
“I think the phrase that I keep coming
back to is one that was shared with me
as a new mom navigating my way, and
that is, put on your oxygen mask first,”
she says. “As mothers, we are continually
giving and taking care, but we need
to remember to take care of ourselves as
well. If we don’t take time to breathe and
refuel, we’ll start to break down and not
be able to take care of everyone else as
well.
“Self-care is so different for everyone;
for me, it usually means doing some
kind of movement, whether it be high
intensity for even 15 minutes, or doing
something that is just for me and my
sanity,” she adds. “It’s also taking time
to be creative and sit down to make
something. For you, it might be getting
into bed earlier than usual with a good
book or watching a show.”
Kaity Velez, parenting writer and creative
strategizer, agrees.
“After months of being in survival
mode, I’ve found that carving out me
time is crucial when most of the day is
spent doing brain gymnastics between
work and parenting,” she says. “For me,
that means getting up a little earlier
for an early morning walk when the
streets are still quiet. There’s no motive
other than to move and be with my
surroundings.”
This article first appeared in New York
Family.
Taking some me time is crucial for
moms. (Getty Images)
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