Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Coronavirus Parenthood: The Stress Level Is High, Glitter Glue Is Everywhere
Ronn and Shelora taking the first hops of 2020 in the family's inflatable bounce house. (Courtesy Shammeer Dawson )
()
We're collecting audience stories about what it's like to live in Los Angeles during a pandemic. You can share your story here.
In April, Shammeer Dawson hauled the family's inflatable bounce house from the garage.
With her four kids -- 8-year-old Taj, 5-year-old Shelora, and twins Ronn and Rome, age 3 -- occupied, she took a few minutes to check in over the roaring of the fan keeping the bounce house buoyant.
Support for LAist comes from
"They want me to play with them, and I'm exhausted as you can probably hear. Today has been a strong day. I've been feeling irritable, loved, impatient and compassionate. It's a whole range of feelings, both good and bad. The stress level is high and my biggest concern is that I want to be whatever I can for my kids, but I don't think I can do that.
"I don't think I can fit that mold. I want to be the homeschool mom. I want to be the innovative thinker, creating all types of science projects and games for them to play, when I just want to lay down and go to sleep. I wonder how you guys are doing out there... I just wanted to give you guys a sense of what's going on in my world. Blessings to all of you."
Kid pileup! (Courtesy Shammeer Dawson)
()
We first met Shammeer and her family in fall 2019. She's part of an ongoing photo project to document the lives of parents with children under 5.
Since the start of the coronavirus shutdowns, she's single-handedly taken on her children's Spanish-language curriculum, shuttled between schools to pick up free meals, and overseen numerous craft projects. Some are planned, like Fruit Loops necklaces, and others are more spontaneous -- glitter glue spread enthusiastically over the Monopoly property title card holder in the style of the spinning battle toys, Beyblades.
It's a lot -- on this particular morning, a little too much.
"I don't want to hear any kids call my name. I don't want to see anything they built. I don't want to see anything they drew. I don't want to hear any flips they're doing. I just want to be alone. But I can't be alone because I've got four people. But overall this is the life."
Support for LAist comes from
Shammeer: "I'm exhausted and laying on the floor while kids play." (Courtesy Shammeer Dawson)
()
Shammeer records many of her updates while the family is stretching their legs outside. This particular Friday she was taking a walk through the neighborhood.
"This is nice, to be outside and to get fresh air. We saw an airplane fly over us. We live next to the Hawthorne Municipal Airport and the LAX, and so we do get airplanes, and it's just a joy to see one and see something happening that's good around us, some kind of normalcy.
"It's just been a trying week. The kids, getting them into the online learning, have been resistant, have been noncompliant at times, and it's taking longer for me to get them engaged. Especially having the babies around...In the background someone says 'Mommy, look at this truck.' I see, I see the truck. Yep, you made that. All they want to do is play and jump on my air mattress and eat all the food up that they can that's carbs, and I love it.
I love that they're happy... and I'm going to push my daughter now on the bike. Hope everyone is blessed."
SHARE YOUR STORY:
- In English: Let's Keep A Diary Together: What's It Like For You In The Time Of Coronavirus?
- In Spanish: Ayúdenos A Contar Las Historias Personales De Esta Pandemia
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance. -
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
Best of LAist