Editor’s note: Social distancing means we can’t all be together right now, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still check in on each other. “Checking in with … ” is a series doing just that. If you have suggestions about who we should feature, please email us at newsroom@gazettenet.com with the series name as the subject line.
Adults in your household: Marc Allen, 49; Nicki Allen, 37
Who lives in the same house as you? Jillian Allen, 9, Norris School in Southampton
How are you juggling all your responsibilities during this time? I work 45-plus hours a week at Cooley Dickinson’s drive-through COVID testing site. Then I come home and cook dinner, help my third grader with homework, practice gymnastics with her for her dance class, and work on badges for Brownie troop. We do weekly Zoom meetings for class, dance and Girl Scouts as well. I’m also the co-secretary for the Norris School PTO, so I have PTO Zoom meetings, too, as we are working on items for the next school year. In addition, I sell Tupperware and crochet/sew masks and accessories that we’ve donated to Cooley.
I do feel overwhelmed at times, and I’ve fallen into a slight depression. I’m bipolar, and my therapist at Clinical & Support Options made me aware of my gradual decline, so I’m also currently working on my improving my mental health through meditation and exercise.
How are you getting the things you need? I go shopping after work and leave my husband and daughter home or in the car. I’m already exposing myself at work, and there’s no need to have them at the stores as well.
As far as mental health and exercise go, I take frequent walks in between patients at work. I also try to have quality time with my family when I get home. After dinner and homework, we watch movies, play games or just cuddle on the couch. Then I also take time for myself by crocheting or reading “Harry Potter” or my “Hollows” series by Kim Harrison. I practice intentional breathing, and I exercise at home with the family by doing TikTok dances and lifting small weights. I had weight-loss surgery two and a half years ago and lost 250 pounds, so I’m trying to reach my goal by the end of the year. My coworkers and I also do TikTok dances at work at the trailer in our PPE and scrubs.
What has been hardest? Schoolwork. Jillian is a perfectionist, and it takes her a very long time to complete a simple assignment because it has to be just right for her to submit it, so it takes three times longer to complete, which eats up my night.
What has brought you relief/happiness? Honestly just spending time with my family when I’m home.
Any good suggestions to offer? Schedule your day. We have a schedule that we try to stick to so we’re not overwhelming ourselves with everything that needs to be done. Housework, meals, homework, exercise and unwinding time all have a specific spot in our day/week.
On Fridays, one of the parents from my daughter’s school (Norris in Southampton) hosts a virtual game night with about six girls. They’ve done Bingo, charades and a scavenger hunt, and they send out reward certificates for winning the games. It helps Jillian connect with her friends, and she also video chats with them daily.