It took three days.
Three days before the teen boys began to get tetchy.
Not too surprising, and really, in the grand scheme of things it was more like a test than actual tetchiness. LOL The routine to be observed: Work on school related stuffs (as best as you can given that they haven't posted anything for you to work on...) from 9:30 am until after noon when you get lunch - lunch is not allowed before noon just to get you out of school stuffs. *roll eyes* Because, yes, they would try that so I specified early on. You will be dressed, teeth brushed and all personal hygiene will be observed because I will not live with gross to that degree. After lunch you can do whatever, go outside if its nice and you remember distances etc... but not loud and obnoxious, please. Video games/game boxes and all that screen time crap is for WEEKENDS only. PJ day is still Sunday and only Sunday. No school stuffs on weekends. You know... sticking to a laid back version of the norm.
Three days in, these parameters were tested and teens were cranky. I was crankier because reasons and PMS... booyah.
Meanwhile, each day was a special torture for us with Ms. 19. "Just one more day with no curve balls." became our mantra. "Just one more day... Just let us get to Thursday when she can move her shit out of the dorm and get to Atlanta... Just. One. More. Day."
There are no words for the relief felt when Ms. 19 called to say she was out of the dorm. Actual laughter happened when she sent pictures of her "boujee" hotel room. Oddly, the least expensive room near the Atlanta airport was at the Marriott. It was plush according to Ms. 19.
The hotel, with their lovely 24 hour airport shuttle, dropped Ms. 19 off at the airport early Friday morning and she sent a text of shock and amazement that it only took 20 minutes to get her baggage checked and through security. Following this was the "well poop... plane is delayed and gate was changed... good thing I was here early." text.
As the texts on Friday morning proceeded to arrive, they became increasingly anxious. We're on the plane... got a whole row to myself.
We're off the plane, there are mechanical problems.
We're changing planes... hour delay.
At this point, I reminded Ms. 19 that it was "good she had a 4hour layover in St. Louis" then I sent a text apologizing that my "4" and "hour" were having trouble social distancing. This netted a chuckle so she calmed a tad.
Then we got the text that she was back on the plane - again with a row to herself - and was on her way to St. Louis. She was only worried that she wouldn't have time to get from gate to gate because of the delays. I didn't bother to remind her that there would be a time change and that her layover would be two hours rather than four. No point in adding that to the conversation when she was still in "not processing properly panic mode".
Long story short, Ms. 19 is home, healthy, and safe. Now she gets to fret and fuss over her classes that are now all online. - Her circus, her monkeys.
But, on a slight tangent, I have to say the lack of common sense being displayed by so many American's is disheartening. There is a cavalier attitude that is dangerous and stupid that seems to be outweighing the science of this situation.
The notion of "flattening the curve" only works if people actually practice social distancing. That means don't go out to the park. Don't go visit Aunt Marge. Stay the hell at home unless you actually HAVE to leave. Let your inner introvert shine... or if you've already done that (like myself) rest easy knowing you're not the problem.
Don't be part of the problem. Don't be a spreader.
My tetchy teens get it... why are grown ass adults having such a problem with this?