32 Readers Share Something Good that has Come out of Quarantine

I asked everyone on the A Mothership Down Facebook page to share something good that has come out of this challenging situation. I know everyone is struggling in ways both big and small, but I thought it would be nice to share some of the things that people are grateful for right now as well.

32 readers share something good that has come out of quarantine

1) “We are having the chance to get some outdoor time as a family.” – Missy

2) “My husband has been helping out more by going shopping for our family. He took me FaceTime shopping with him yesterday! I haven’t been to a store in almost a month. By watching him, my son who’s in first grade has started washing his own bedding, making his own sandwiches, peeling apples, and last night he prepared coffee for my husband who works a super early shift. He wants to learn how to wash dishes next, and this pregnant mother can’t thank my boys enough.” – Elizabeth

3) “We feel so lucky to be able to stay home together, especially when so many families are not able to. For us, the silver linings have been family dinners every single night, lots of time for imaginative play in the backyard, having the time to be silly together, and loosening screen time restrictions to watch a family movie each evening. Although working from home, managing remote learning, and worrying about friends and family who are ill has taken a toll on the parents in our household, the kids are blissfully unaware.” – Melanie

4) “We are eating as a family around the table three times a day and having proper chats instead of flying by the seat of our pants, chucking pasta at them and letting them eat in front of television.” – Julie

5) “I am thankful for the slower pace of life.” – Lynette

6) “It’s the small things – my dog starts heart worm treatment today. Since I’m working from home I’ll get to keep an eye on her and get/give lots of quiet time snuggles.” – Mandy

7) “Having the time to prepare, then sit down together and enjoy homemade family dinners every night has been great.” – Sarah

8) “We had time for potty training! It took a book and 14 full days of complete torture. But it was so worth it! Basically, we needed to be trained to train him.” – MaryLuz

9) “Yesterday my kid said, ‘Mom, I hate the Coronavirus because it means I can’t see my friends, but I do love it because it means you and Daddy don’t have to go to work and you can be with me a lot.’ Here she is in her workout gear. My husband is a General Manager of a local gym and he’s been working out a ton at home. She loves to join in!” – Jenn

10) “We’re sleeping a whole hour and a half later than normal. Usually we’re up at 5:00 AM to get out the door by 6:30 AM. Now we’re not up until almost 6:30. It’s amazing! The kids and my husband have also started taking walks after dinner together around the block rather than jump right into showers to get ready for bed.” – Sarah

11) “My neighbor’s 40th birthday was a couple of weeks ago, and they were supposed to go to New Orleans to celebrate. The trip got cancelled, but a family in our neighborhood who all play instruments put on a New Orleans show for her from their front porch, and the neighborhood gathered and watched from their cars for an impromptu concert.” – Elizabeth

12) “My husband usually leaves the house at 4:30 AM and gets home after the kids go to bed. Sometimes if he works his second job, he doesn’t get home until 11:00. But these past few weeks we have been having family dinners, walks and game time. It has been awesome! I know it’s short lived, so we are taking it all in while we can. We love all of this extra down time together. Usually spring time is our busiest sports time.” – Lizz

13) “The beauty of the snow-capped Himalayan mountains from a distance can now be appreciated once again after being hidden away by pollution for three decades.” – Betsy

14) “My kids – especially my highly extroverted ‘challenging’ one – have been handling all of this really well. I think they’re enjoying the slower pace. They’re sleeping much later than they normally do (probably because they don’t feel like they have to wake up before 6:30 to see me before I leave for work), being pretty good listeners, and just generally being more pleasant than I would expect.” – Elizabeth

15) “My kid taught himself to make balloon animals this morning. LIFE SKILLS!” – Jessica

16) “My 5-year-old said randomly the other day, ‘You know, this virus is bad because we can’t just go wherever we want, but it’s really good and I actually like it because we just get to stay home and play with you.’ He’s absolutely right about that. Of course, I cried. I feel so lucky that we are all home together and don’t have to go to a job where we are risking our health, but I’m so thankful for and in awe of those that do. In general this has given me a huge dose of gratitude. We are healthy, we are safe, we have a home with a roof over our heads and everything we need, and money for grocery delivery. I literally couldn’t ask for more.” – Tara

17) “My kids are learning to write and read cursive!” – Tracey

18) “We have been renting our townhouse for 7 years, and our landlord told us back in February that they weren’t renewing our lease. After about a month of every day searching, calling, and looking at multiple places, the landlord beside my best friend’s house said we could live there. He also gave us free range to paint whatever we wanted to paint, whatever color. So after staring at beige walls for 7 years, this blue soothes my soul. We move next week and I’m thrilled. When the quarantine is over, both of my kids will have friends in the neighborhood to play with.” – Lee

19) “We are getting lots of sleep, eating pretty well, and getting out in nature. And my girls (almost 10 and 13) have been super close. They have been sharing a room since the middle of March.” – Kristin

20) “We ordered a bunny suit and I’ve been sneaking into the yards of our friends who have kids. With the help of their mom I hide the eggs, then the kids look out the window and ‘catch the bunny.’ We wave, dance and blow kisses, and they are so excited! And there’s no contact.” – Janeen

21) “The fact that my husband is working from home every day but is able to see the kids anytime and help with the morning and afternoon routines that I usually do solo is great. The kids and I will miss this when he has to go back to the office!” – Katie

22) “My kids and I have an amazing project. It’s what we do when we can’t stand each other but still need each other. They plant their succulents here the way they want. It’s like our meditation and we love it so much.” – Ariadna

23) “Family dinners. I work nights so my kids never had dinner with their mom. Family dinners are what I will remember about all of this.” – Laura

24) “Family time! Of course we get on each other’s nerves sometimes, but overall we are enjoying the shared time together. I get a better insight into my son’s schoolwork, and we eat all meals as a family. Plus they learned how to play table tennis.” -Anneloes

25) “My dog got off the leash this morning and ran into the arms of a homeless man. I gave him $40 and he started crying. I am thankful my dog didn’t run away, and I am thankful I had money to give him. And I was thankful I had a mask on!” – Paula

28) “Picking up our preschool packets and waving to our favorite teacher Ms. Lori and ‘tailgating’ with our friends!” – Marcy

26) “I get to spend 4 hours in between work shifts with my kids. We go for walks and hikes and bike rides. We build Legos and have nice lunches. It definitely adds to a long day, but seems more more worth it than work. Plus when I get frustrated at work, I get free hugs. That is frowned upon at the office, so I’ll take ’em from my girls.” – Andy

27) “My two kiddos have been able to play together more. My son only ever saw his sister for a couple of hours a day after school, and he’s been loving all of his ‘Sissy time.'” – Chi Na

28) “My dog had her first birthday and my 9-year-old took the time to make her a whole birthday slideshow with animation, music, and a drawing. It was great, and she was so proud of herself.” – Joan