Alexa, how go friend house and not germs?” My heart sank. My incredibly resilient, almost four-year-old had had enough of sheltering in place.

The word "parent" is not just a noun. It's also a verb.
Alexa, how go friend house and not germs?” My heart sank. My incredibly resilient, almost four-year-old had had enough of sheltering in place.
Now, I want you to stop and think about all the pressure that we are currently under; these pressures are not ordinary pressures—these are not ordinary times. When you get into an argument—and we all get into arguments—ask yourself: if I had done this dumb thing, would I want to be forgiven? Is this thing so massive, that it’s worth holding on to? I’ll wait.
I am not, by the way, advocating free Get Out of Jail cards. What I am advocating is grace. It’s all about degrees. Don’t set a standard for your partner that you’re not willing to set for yourself. Don’t set too high a standard for yourself either.
We so often get wound up around the word “Parent,”–I am the PARENT–that we forget it’s not just a noun, it’s also a verb. And, if you happen to forget, just substitute the word “caregiver.” It will steer you in the right direction.