'What else can go wrong?': Local mom shares the series of unfortunate events that has hit her family since lockdown began

We've been receiving many letters from Parent24 readers keen to share how their families have adjusted to the new normal caused by the Covid-19 epidemic. 

One came from a mom of four who says she is walking a tight rope to make her family and work-life balance as best she can. Sadly, she shares how things seem only to be getting worse and worse. 

Read her letter below: 

It is extremely difficult

I share the sentiment that the mom from 'I'm not surviving' has.  It is extremely difficult. I have the same struggles. 

I, too, have to work from home and on top of that, my boss wants me to account for every hour of my day, which is added pressure. 

I am stuck behind a desk in my house for 8 hours, and having four kids doesn't make it easy. Their ages are 5, 8, 11  and 16.  

So, it has been extremely difficult to keep them entertained the whole day and to work. I cannot wait for the weekends. 

• 'I am going crazy!': Another mom shares how lockdown is affecting her family
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• Are you successfully juggling work, schooling and staying home? I'm not

Never in my life has stress been so bad

Then there's stepping out and getting food for the family now and then. I go in a complete panic with thoughts going through my mind. What if I take this virus home to them after my shopping trip?  

So shopping has also now become a stressful experience. My whole body feels that it has gone into spasm, but what can I do?

I need to carry on. I am so stressed that my relationship with my husband has gone pear-shaped, he just doesn't assist with anything. He cannot understand why I have to work so hard. 

What else can go wrong? 

On top of this, I receive an email from my company saying that we will not be paid as of next month due to money constraints and that we have claim UIF. What else can go wrong? 

To make matters even worse, my sibling who I care of gets arrested for contravening the act. I had to go and bail him out, and now he is sitting with a R2.5k fine which must be paid. What the hell? Can we not go back to normal already? 

I will go out of my mind if this carries on for the next two months.  

Sincerely, 

Anonymous 

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