Kyle and Cyndi Wiebe normally lead very busy lives, enjoying country living with their five children and three dogs. Kyle is a Winnipeg paramedic and Cyndi does freelance graphic design/illustration and works part-time reception for the Town of Niverville.
Their children, ranging in ages from 10 to 15, enjoy so many divergent weekly activities: school, church, youth group, going to the YFC Drop-In, Awana, kickboxing, guitar lessons, board game club, sports club, indoor soccer, and participating on eSports Council.
Of this wide array of extracurriculars, the only ones which haven’t been cancelled are school and church—and even those are happening online.
To the children, the shock of social distancing means they’re missing friends and hanging out.
“There’s not much for them to do when you can’t go out and have adventures or go fun places,” says Cyndi. “They are missing kickboxing and sports.”
These are the same sorts of challenges faced by everyone in these days of ubiquitous self-isolation. But as Cyndi explains, there is one challenge of COVID-19 that impacts their family in a more unique and pointed way: the stress that comes from Kyle’s already stressful job as a paramedic.
“I never know what Kyle’s workdays will include on a ‘regular’ shift, whatever that means,” she says. “Now we also worry about what he’s been exposed to, despite every precaution they take. He came home the other day saying he feels like his hands will never feel clean again, even though he has washed them nearly raw. The physical and mental toll this all takes on him is huge.”
Kyle’s work falls under the category of essential services, and Cyndi’s work with the town is continuing as well. Her reception duties now include assisting with the town’s proactive cleaning and distancing measures within the office.
Maintaining an optimal work-life balance is a struggle for the big family, one this couple works hard to maintain despite a few health issues they have—health issues that are only further complicated by the threat of COVID-19.
“I am a type-1 diabetic and Kyle has lung issues,” Cyndi explains. “We are very worried about our health but know we need to keep working as long as we safely can to meet our family’s needs. While my art lessons have stopped for now, I continue to do my freelance work from home. However, given that the majority of my clients are small businesses/organizations, or musicians/performers, they are struggling with economic uncertainty as well. It’s a matter of doing the best you can, for as long as you can, and hoping that it was the right call in the end.”
Social distancing isn’t all doom and gloom, though, and Cyndi points out some of the hidden benefits their family has experienced. The family is able to enjoy a slower pace of life, sleeping in and simply having a lot more family time, free time, and movie nights. She especially enjoys not having to rush through meals to get out the door, and not having to spend so much time in the car driving to get to so many activities.
Cyndi’s advice for all the families out there having to stay home more than usual? Besides cooking and baking, she suggests board games and looking for ways to keep in contact with friends, such as through text and video chat services—like Discord, Google Hangouts, and Messenger Kids.
“It will be over soon,” says Cyndi. “Just stay home so it’s over sooner! Protect other people by staying home. Cuddle your family members and your dogs.”