How the Coronavirus Lockdown Can Change Family Life for the Better

By Irena Ioannou — GAZE

Greeks have a way of making fun of every situation possible, however tragic, and the new virus pandemic is no exception. “Coronavirus forced some men to discover they are married and have children,” must be one of the most popular jokes on the internet in my country. The certainty that “The vaccine will be discovered by a parent” has attracted a lot of likes too. I would add that at times I feel “I’d rather pay to go to work than stay at home with my beloved family,” and I suspect a lot of parents share that feeling.

Luckily, for me, I’m a firefighter and first respondents are generally considered indispensable in times of crises but tough times require honesty, and perhaps it doesn’t hurt to admit that living with the same people under the same roof for hours and days on end is a guaranteed way to be admitted to the psychiatric ward, even if these people happen to be your offspring. Especially if they are your offspring.

In short, life before the coronavirus crisis was structured in a certain way that allowed almost every member of the family to devote some time to themselves and their needs, and now everything has been knocked off its axis. Except for the almost part, which in most cases is the parent. Almost nothing ever changes in the life of the parent.