Matilda has managed to keep up with the school work, but I know she finds it much less rewarding/challenging and the retention is much lower. Emmett has reported the same with his online college classes. He's focusing on finishing his BA and I feel like he has not really gotten the full benefit of that education.
Matilda has been so depressed though for much of this pandemic. Her large, lateral extended network of friendships is - by far - the most important thing in her life and well being. And it's been completely amputated.
She doesn't talk about it but I know she's been really hurt that some of her closest friends formed social/pandemic bubbles that didn't include her. She's literally only seen two of her friends with any regularity since March. And it doesn't help that we've only been infrequently able to see Emmett, the other big emotional support in her life.
She's also turned into a complete, immobile lump. She hasn't done anything physical except (occasionally) walking outside of the house for more than six months, and she wants to just sink into her bed for 14 hours a day if I don't physically drag her out.
Part of me wishes we could use the Vulcan pedagogical model of sticking our spawn in a learning pod, but humans kids are made for personal interaction and hands on learning. It's evolutionary and this whole shit show COULD have been avoided.
We could have locked down early, keep the bars and restaurants closed and kept the schools open. But nobody in this country does anything for anyone else (present company excluded) and I'm so tired.
Ugh.
Hugs to my fellow parents. This year is so shitty in so many ways, but I hate what it is doing to my kids the most. FUCK THAT ORANGE FUCKER SO MUCH.
A friend of mine who has been diagnosed with autism jokes that she's one of the few "out" people on the spectrum at her gov't agency. She estimates about 10-15% of the workforce is on the spectrum. For much of the work that agency does, this is ideal and will lead to personal and mission success.
I was discretely informed by a colleague that one of the attorneys I work with frequently is on the spectrum. Since our HR are sticklers about privacy I’m pretty sure the attorney themself put the word out.
I adjusted some of the ways I communicate with them and working together went from frustrating to very gratifying. I believe the greater ease is mutually appreciated.
Much love and ~ma to all Buffista parents and sprogs.
Also, hi, #TeamBarometer! My roommate is amused when I'm telling her when the rain is about the start.
Y'all with kids, I don't even know what to say except that I see how brutally hard it is, emotionally, logistically, financially. I see how you're struggling and how hard you're working and I love you for it and I wish it was better.
What Brenda said. I’m barely keeping myself together, forget trying to help kids too (either small and needing supervision or teenagers being teenagery)
#TeamBarometer We should get t-shirts, maybe with an image of a stormglass and the text "this is the inside of my head right now AINFG"
ltc is making Christmas cards this afternoon. So far only one tantrum.
Ltc is doing better than I did figuring out my grocery list.
