How Quarantine is Affecting Family Life

We need interaction during quarantine. It’s essential. As mentioned in a previous post, we are social beings that thrive off of social interaction with other humans. But what happens when these interactions become overdone? Does it tip the scale towards the other extreme? In my house, the S.I.P orders have had an opposite effect on my family than on my friends. Too much interaction with the same people has caused more friction in my household than before, and I am sure the same is happening with your own families.

Whether it’s working from home, not having a job, or doing schoolwork, our families do not have an outlet to release steam in a healthy way. As a result, the pent-up steam gets released at one another, furthering the stress under the roof. Heated mealtime arguments lead to miscommunications, hurt feelings, and regrets. It is not natural either. That is what we need to understand. The new frustrations arising from quarantine did not occur at the same rate as before. Obviously, some conflict is necessary in a family as different members are bound to have different thoughts, but it’s recently become overwhelming for many.

There are two main factors worsening the home environment that we need to understand. Firstly, the clear-cut reason: too much time together. While it may seem counter-intuitive right now, you need space from your family. Restaurants and parks are beginning to open up, so now is a perfect chance to get out of the house, safely meet friends, and try to salvage some pieces of normal you once had. It will be good for everyone. However, if your parents or guardians are strict about you interacting with others, just get out of the house to take a walk on video chat with a friend or go on a bike ride listening to your favorite music. Some time to yourself out of the house is essential to keeping the balance you and your family once had. Making it your routine to spend some time outside is a phenomenal way to break away from the seemingly never-ending cycle of days and focus on yourself.

Another key factor affecting family life is the prime social issue plaguing this country: racism towards black Americans. Many of us live with parents, guardians, and/or siblings that do not have the same viewpoint as us on this deeply rooted issue, making it infuriating to even be around them. I understand your frustration. If you feel the safest option is forgoing these discussions completely, however maddening it may be, please follow through with it. But if possible, I would urge you to try your chances at participating in a calmer conversation with them. These discussions often get out of hand, ending with yells and slammed doors, but if you make a commitment to yourself and whoever you are talking with to have a calm conversation, it can yield healthy outcomes. Agreeing to disagree is a far better option than ending a discussion with nasty remarks.

Everyone in your family is fragile during these times. You never really know what is going to set you or a member of your family off on any given day, so for the sake of your own sanity and mental health, you should consider adding calmer elements to your new lifestyle as detailed above. You and your family will get through this, I believe in you. Change is inevitable during this pandemic, but it’s your job to adapt in the best way possible, and I know you will.

If you ever feel that someone in your household is putting themselves or you at risk please call 911 immediately.