I, like most parents in the midst of this global health crisis, have spent a lot of time — specifically, a lot more time — with my kids over the past eight months. I will even go so far as to say that I have spent too much time with my kids. It hasn’t been all bad, but I wouldn’t call it quality time. I know how some can take this out of context, so I will state what should be obvious: I love my kids, and I do everything I can to make sure their physical and emotional needs are met. But I’m also human and far from perfect, and I need to have my physical and emotional needs met, too. On some days, my growls and loud sighs outweigh my patience, warm fuzzies, and ability to be present. In the before times, when none of us knew this extra stress of this online learning, work-from-home, stuck life, I felt like a crummy parent on some days. But I would always do my best to connect with my kids. We would find ways to reattach.