“I passed by people wearing gloves, and masks, and yes, hazmat suits. I am a former nurse. I also rely heavily on world leaders in situations such as these. If they say wash and keep social distancing, I follow suit. But there was something about the empty aisles, wiped clean of paper products and water bottles, that caused a tide of panic to rise in me. I checked out of Costco, and reality, and found myself aimlessly scrolling for solutions from the front seat of my car.”
“School is canceled, our spring break trip isn’t happening, and even sports are on hold. Let’s face it. I’m looking at a lot of time at home with these five kids.”
“We are in uncharted territory now. I’m almost certain we will remember this time – and how we came together, or didn’t – decades from now.”
“Today was the first day I felt the anxiety from the COVID-19 virus. I thought to myself, ‘What can I use in replacement of toilet paper?’ I have no shame in my game! A clean tush is a clean tush, regardless of how it got that way!”
“Adults will say, ‘Having a doll that looked like me could have been a game-changer,’ or ‘I struggled my whole life with how I looked.’ Those little faces light up when they realize the doll they are holding is THEM!”
“He is a liar if he tells you all the girls are doing it or promises he won’t show it to your friends. Know your self-worth. You are more than a picture that could be tossed around on social media.”
“Some days I’m totally present with my little man. I’ve grocery shopped WITH my toddler and not one fit was thrown. I’m caught up on housework and we wind down with bedtime stories. I feel confident. I think for a split second I have motherhood figured out. Then the next day comes, and I survive by the seat of my pants.”
“You would do anything in your power to help your child. Even if that means lying on the floor in the middle of a shopping center with him. That can cause some funny looks. Some funny comments. This day was no different. She nodded, she smiled, and she walked off again. In that moment, I could feel the tears coming.”
“The moment I was told I was pregnant at 18, the thought of abortion crossed my mind as a solution. ‘Am I a horrible human?’ Things got real REAL quick. Just because I didn’t have one, doesn’t give me a pass to be prideful about it over those who have. I love my sweet son, but he isn’t a trophy.”
“I came back from lunch to find a small, heart-shaped box of chocolates from my mom’s boyfriend. I felt so special! Teachers replied with disgust, ‘We don’t want OUR children exposed to that.’ It wasn’t long before it was all over town that a black man had the audacity to give a little white girl candy.”
