Day 5 - Resilience
2020 March 22
Sunday
11:31pm:
Today I talked to my 9yr old about what the next steps in Canada’s approach to managing this crisis might look like.
We discussed trade implications, supply chains, globalism, and martial law. We talked about what the Emergencies Act covered when it was called the War Measures Act, and when and why such measures might be taken here. I spent time talking with him about the interconnectedness between us and the United States, and how it could prove to be a big part of our challenge over the next few months.
On the one hand it was surreal, because we are living it and it is a fluid, ever-evolving situation — this is a real-time social studies lesson. On the other hand, he was fascinated and asked perceptive questions about what we can do to prepare as a family.
As a parent, it was amazing to watch him slot the info into place, process it, and ask questions about the impact on our supply chain if one country is hit harder than expected — we talked about the impact of this crisis on Italy and how their emergency has affected our ability to test people for the virus here in Canada. He asked if there was potential for our food supply here in Canada to be affected by what is happening in the US — he reads the labels on things and knows how much stuff comes from outside Canada this time of year. It was a great opportunity to remind him that Canada is heading into its growing season, and we’re planning a garden this year.
Children are resilient.
This will be hard for them in many ways, but it is also an interesting opportunity for growth. I feel my kids will be stronger and more confident in this time of uncertainty because they are actively participating in steering the approach our family is taking.