Tai Swank is a co-founder of Tampa Bay's Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, which raises money for prostate cancer research and mental health initiatives. Read our Q&A below.
How have the last five or six weeks changed you as a parent?
Honestly, it made me think that I was a shittier parent before the pandemic. Here we are, I am quarantined with them, and I’m thinking how I was not more involved emotionally in their lives before.
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?
My kids are one and three. The three-year-old Atlas, we try to plan out activities throughout the day. It’s so easy to throw an iPad in front of them and let them be for eight hours. But, we read and there’s an hour for arts, trampoline, chasing our dogs around and gardening. Alastair is one, I’m still having to change his diapers so that’s a handful in itself. They’ve got a nice play area that he spends time in. Blocks, books, and educational toys.
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?
Atlas is speaking now and we can hold full conversations. Sometimes her answers are “why” and “chocolate ice cream.” The park was a big part of our life before. She knows it’s not safe because people are getting sick.
What do you miss the most from the “before” time?
Being quarantined with two kids, I’ve missed face-to-face conversations with adults. Their mom wanted us fully locked down, so I didn’t get to see anyone often.
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?
You’ve got to keep moving forward and progressing. I finished off a laundry room and kitchen project that were four years in the making. Make time for your families and loved ones. Drink less, and do more.
Is there any silver lining to being quarantined?
With all the sadness and uncertainty, I always had hope. Hope in humanity and that everything will be OK.
What worries you the most about our lives going forward?
The local economy concerns me. So many friends are in the hospitality industry as owners or workers. What is the new normal going to be? Unless a cure is found, I don’t see it going away anytime soon. Will we have to wear masks out in public? That’s going to make first dates a problem.
Do you have a message for kids and parents in the greater Tampa Bay area?
I don’t think we have had to deal with uncertainty before. It’s a scary feeling. When the pandemic started I looked at my bank account, and was like, “I wish that $5,500 tax return was still there.” We have been coasting by stuck in our daily routines, and we—as well as everyone on earth—got quick kicked in the nuts by COVID-19. The worst thing to come out of this that I’ve seen is misinformation being spread when dealt with fear. If you don’t understand something, wait until you share that Bill Gates conspiracy link. Unfortunately we didn't have the right leader to pick up the U.S.A., throw us over his shoulder and carry us home.
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This article appears in Apr 30 – May 6, 2020.