I Took Covid Family Leave and Now I’m Back at Work

During the first five months of Quarantine, I never reached a point of control or ease. Everyday was a battle between trying to get work done, cleaning the house, cooking multiple daily meals and helping my three girls connect to school and do homework. My boss was very supportive, but it still did not take the weight off of my shoulders. Then I learned about the Emergency Covid Family relief program.

As I considered taking the leave I felt a lot of different emotions; resentfulness that it had to be me and not my husband considering this option, anger at the virus and dissappointment in myself that I could not do it all. But as the days went on I felt an overwhelming sense of failure that I wasn’t doing anything right. I wasn’t a good mom, wife, coworker, employee. I had to ask myself what was more important.

My kids were about to go on summer break. Was I going to let them watch TV all day so that I could work? I ended up choosing my family over my job. I took the leave, which was really easy to get once I was ready.

At first I felt wierd. It took me a few days to realize that all I had to worry about was my kids. I started taking them to the park to run around and to practice softball with my daughter. I cooked good food everyday. We went to the beach. It felt nice to just focus on my kids and their…