Jennifer Petrini Lovelady is a supporter of the arts who was honored as the St. Pete Art Alliance's 2019 MUSE Arts Ambassador of the Year. Read our Q&A below.
How have the last five or six weeks changed you as a parent?
They really haven’t. The only thing is maybe I’ve nagged my immune compromised daughter a little more than usual.
If your kids are school-aged and have to e-learn—how’s it going? Any tips or questions about being more effective homeschool parents?
I have a senior in college and a senior in high school so it’s been rather easy. Both were already familiar with e-learning.
Editor’s note: This portrait is part of Sandra Döhnert Bourne’s “I Miss Us, St. Pete: A social distance photo essay from afar.” Get links the the full photo essay and more Q&As here.
How are you talking to your kids about the coronavirus?
Our conversations usually are pep talks since they are both missing out on all of those “senior” activities. They are very disappointed, just like all of their peers.
What do you miss the most from the “before” time?
Hugs!
Did you pick up any new good habits or practices that you hope to carry into the post-coronavirus world we’re about to enter?
Meditation and learning to slow down.
Is there any silver lining to being quarantined?
This time reminds me of the simpler times I experienced as a child. Things aren’t so rushed, and there’s much more family time. It’s great for my husband and I to have the girls around, all the time, because we’ll be empty nesters soon.
What worries you the most about our lives going forward?
That we won’t remember and go right back to the way we were.
Do you have a message for kids, parents in the greater Tampa Bay area?
Hang in there and be kind to one another.
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This article appears in Apr 30 – May 6, 2020.