Survival Mode

I can't believe I am writing this in the fifth month of our fight against COVID-19. It seems like everything has changed. In school districts across the nation, students from grades K-12 are gearing up for the new year. Some have already returned to school. In my area, schools will be opening 100% virtually for the time being, and let's not kid ourselves…this is probably going to continue for the remainder of the school year. This means on top of working from home, parents now have to monitor and assist during the school day. As the parents of a soon-to-be Kindergartner and second-grader, this is a challenge unlike any other. I'm sure that I am not the only one. My story is one shared by working mothers and fathers in our country. Wondering how to maintain a career, a family, a household – I am overwhelmed just thinking of it.

Most of my posts offer answers. Like family sitcoms of days gone by, I'm usually able to present a problem and offer a tidy little package of solutions for you to quickly overcome your issue. After I finish them, I feel like I have done something - however small - to help my readers. I'm afraid this time I don't have many answers. We are truly all struggling through this together. That's not just some fancy marketing tag, either. We really are facing this threat as a society. For the first time, most of the country is on equal footing. Everyone is fighting for their life. For their family. For their future. Some will have a harder time than others – economic circumstances, pre-existing medical conditions, rigid employers, and a host of other factors contribute to every individual's story. But, the fact remains. We ARE in this together.

Since we are in this predicament, now is the time to come together. We have to stop being afraid and intimidated, and we have to be able to ask for help. This might mean asking for help at work or asking for more help from a spouse or partner. You might find yourself asking for more virtual one-on-one time frequently with your student's teachers. While you're at it, you might need to ask yourself for help – and give it. It's okay to admit when you are struggling. You don't have to be a superhero or super mom. I haven't met the person yet who has all of their stuff together – and you never will. Sure, some people put on a better front, but everyone has their own inner struggles. How do we survive? I think the answer we are all looking for is that we need to support each other.

Our country has a rich history full of stories of hope and the American dream. We were told if you work hard, you will reap the rewards. Our values for generations have been rooted in work ethics and wanting to give our children a better life than what we had. It's one reason for our (formerly) flourishing economy. There's nothing wrong with hard work. I still value those things, but I am beginning to see that there is more to "hard work" than I ever noticed. With hindsight being 20/20, I would say that we may have forgotten about the human element somewhere along the way. Instead of trying to buy your children all the things you didn’t have, you should teach them all of the things you were never taught. Now is the time to think about why we learn the way we do and change it. Your kids may be asking you for the hot new electronic toy, but what they need is very different.

Have you ever seen or read "The Shining"? If you're not a horror fan, you still have probably heard the quote, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Think about that for a second. We have all been so busy trying to earn a living and have bigger, better, and nicer things to the point that we've become dull. Now is our chance to stop that. We can change everything.  

We can spend the time we've always wanted to with our family. We can pursue passions. We can enrich our lives with activities that help strengthen our mind and body. This time "off" is our shot to make the world a better place. To make ourselves better. I'm taking this day-by-day. In a week or so, my children will begin school. My husband and I still have our jobs to do. We simply have to be strong because it's not going to be easy. There are going to be days when it's hard. Much more difficult than before. But what choice do we have? I foresee a lot of stress and worry in the upcoming weeks and months ahead, but I am willing to put in the work. I hope you are too.

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Krista Kyte is a personal finance blogger and personal banker with over 17 years of experience in the financial industry. Krista is passionate about helping our members understand their financial situations. She writes tips that will help consumers reach and maintain financial security, and start living the life they’ve always wanted.