A reading workshop I was planning to hold for PhD students in my department on March 13 was cancelled because of the then still impending pandemic. I got an email yesterday asking if I might be able to hold it electronically. 1/21

In addition to the reading workshop, they asked if I might be able to add in some advice about writing in isolation or with small children. 2/21

I have no experience writing in isolation. 3/21

Plus the fact that I have written for 3.5 hours in the past 4 weeks, this makes me think I am probably the worst person to give this advice. 4/21

Or maybe I'm actually the best person. "Guys, it's probably not going to happen... 5/21

You can try dividing things up with your partner (if you are co-parenting) so you get the mornings. But then there's a butter disaster and it feels unfair to leave your partner alone with two little ones to deal with it... 6/21

you can try to make up this lost time by writing for the magical 25 minutes when the youngest is sleeping and the oldest is watching TV... 7/21

but the neighbour's dogs bark and wake up the youngest, who is hella grumpy for the rest of the day. You are also hella grumpy, plus mad at the youngest and the neighbour's dogs and yourself for not writing... 8/21

So you can try again tomorrow morning. But you get a pop-up alert that Quebec is advising all people over the age of 70 to remain home... 9/21

Your parents don't live in Quebec but they live in BC and you think they should follow Quebec's advice. So you text, then call, your parents, to explain... 10/21

The conversation mostly revolves around Dad's high fruit standards and will he trust someone else to select his fruit... 11/21

Plus it's the end of term and everyone is anxious and emailing you (and possibly calling in the middle of the night?) So you answer all the emails and plan to work tomorrow during your morning shift. 12/21

But the youngest wakes up early and in a daze you spill coffee on your computer, which was in the kitchen because you thought maybe you could get some work done there today during nap time. 13/21

So you research how to fix a laptop when everything is closed. (you put it in a bag on the sidewalk outside the store and then hope.) 14/21

etc." 15/21

Writing this, I actually don't think I can, in good conscience, talk to students with small children and give them tips on how to write right now. 16/21

They are dealing with what I'm dealing with, but without a stable income and job, maybe without a partner or without a partner who can work from home, and other privileges I have that I'm not even aware of. 17/21

(Of course writing challenges are meaningless next to those faced by health care providers, or those who have lost loved ones. I just mention it here because I was asked about how to write with young children and it made me think.) 18/21

This is meant to be lighthearted and not cause guilt or shame among those who are working with kids or are not working without kids. Or those who do have advice to give. And I appreciate that my department wants to support students right now. 19/21

It is just really hard for everyone right now, and it's hard for anyone to understand how hard it is for someone else because our lives are so, so small. 20/21

I'm happy to share my experiences with others if it might help, but I really don't think I'm in a position to give anyone advice or tips. Other than take care of yourself and your family. 21/21