The Christian Science Monitor

Work and parent at the same time? A crisis highlights 'dual lives.'

Julia Rous talks with her son as he draws birds of prey during a holiday in the British countryside in 2018. Today, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Rous has found it challenging to convey to her children that "no school" doesn't mean "vacation" in terms of how they spend their days.

Three years ago, when the now viral video hit the internet of a father in a live television interview interrupted by two stumbling toddlers, professionals with kids around the globe laughed tears of schadenfreude.

But today, as schools and day cares are canceled, and governments worldwide encourage – or require – citizens to remain home to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus, the risk of their own client calls or video-conferences getting interrupted by crying kids or exasperated teens is exponentially high. So high, in fact, there are photos and videos posted online from late-night comedy hosts, university professors, local news anchors, and even Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (in self-quarantine) documenting the juggle of their “day jobs” with their now ever-evident roles as parents. 

Working from home while children are present is extremely challenging. For some families, it’s near impossible. Already the global lockdowns are testing fault

Bring on the chaosNot all bad?Moms bear the brunt

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from The Christian Science Monitor

The Christian Science Monitor4 min read
A Love Letter To Lilacs And The Joys Of Fleeting Pleasure
I grew up with a lilac shrub right outside my bedroom window. Each May, when the breeze hit just right, the scent would trail through the screen. And how nice that scent was. Light, tender, sweet, sunny, vegetal – even a bit indolic, sharing the same
The Christian Science Monitor3 min read
In Cleaning Up My Corner Of The World, I Reclaimed My Trust In Others
When a copy of “The New Yale Book of Quotations” crossed my desk awhile back, I quickly turned to my favorite selection, which came courtesy of the late anthropologist Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens c
The Christian Science Monitor5 min readAmerican Government
Trump On Trial: What To Know As Case Moves Toward Pivotal Witness
This week porn star Stormy Daniels provided some of the most explosive testimony yet in former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial in a Manhattan courtroom. Under oath, and in front of a jury, Ms. Daniels described in vivid detail her alleged s

Related Books & Audiobooks