How does life begin again?  When do we start to live a little? What do we do?  How do we make choices for ourselves and our families and those we are living with?  Are we hostages to COVID-19 for the rest of the summer?  Will we get to see friends and family?  Will I be able to go on a date?  Will my “quarantine-mates” allow it?  Do they get a say?  

I’ve been quarantined with my ex, his wife, her ex and our kids for ten weeks now in virtual isolation in a house in the woods of Vermont.  We take turns leaving weekly to pick up groceries at a local market where we call our order in to and they put everything in the trunk.  In the last few weeks we started taking turns driving an insane amount of time to get the kids a donut at a drive through or previously poo-pooed upon fast food.  I never thought a drive-through for a snack or tea could make their days.  It does.  Anything to switch up our routine or change the daily dynamics in the house.

Getting drinks and donuts at drive-through

We are living in Vermont, the state with the least amount of cases.  I would say we’re safe.  Now, as other states start to open in phases, are we safe to go home to New York City?  Are we putting each other in danger if one or a few of us go for a short stay to get clothes from our closets and to take socially distanced, masked walks with parents.  NYC is still the capital of coronavirus although, thankfully, our close friends and families that have remained there for the duration are all healthy.  They have all continued to take precautions, wear masks and gloves and continue to stay home other than for daily walks with all of their gear.  

So now I’m contemplating a short break from this blended family of exes.  I have always loved to live.  During my cancer treatment that became more important to me than it ever was.  Even during chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy I lived my life as much as I felt well enough to do each day. I took precautions but without letting fear control my happiness and mental state.  Right now it feels like fear is controlling what happens next.  It’s not just my fear.  It’s now also the fear of those I’m living with.  I want to have a dose of life.  I want to see my parents.  I want to go home.  I want to distance date.


With camp and all summer activities cancelled or paused for the kids it still makes sense to stay here together.  There have been mostly positives combined with times of loneliness, just a few conflicts, and calm niceties and politeness.   We are still cooking and eating together every single night.  The kids are still in school.  My ex’s wife and I are still working out together daily.  Her ex-husband and I are still bouncing work ideas off of each other and we are all co-parenting and living life together and even having fun. 

So, if and when I decide to take social distance from our quarantine, what will that look like and how will we go from there?  I never thought I would be planning a potential date with my ex-husband’s input. 

Author(s)

  • Denise Albert

    Co-Founder

    The MOMS & Mamarazzi

    Denise Albert is an award-winning journalist, television producer and Co-Founder of The MOMS (TheMOMS.com) and Mamarazzi Celebrity Events.  She is a Journalist, Cancer Survivor and Activist.  Denise is a Former Producer at Good Morning America, and Former President and Executive Producer at David Blaine Productions.   She was the Co-Host of MOMS & The City on NBC's Digital Television Platform and Co-Host of The MOMS on SiriusXM Radio and Mamarazzi on People.com. The MOMS created the first ever mom-focused town hall series called Mamarazzi. The ever-popular Mamarazzi® events give influential moms and media access to celebrities in a town-hall discussion while partnering with top consumer brands.  Mamarazzi guests have included Emmy and Oscar winners, Sarah Jessica Parker, Will Smith, Nicole Kidman, Tina Fey, Hugh Jackman and Goldie Hawn.  To date she has executed over 300 Mamarazzi events.   Albert is also an Advocate for Breast Cancer and has shared her story on People.com and had an on-going series at GoodHousekeeping.com.  Denise speaks at Medical Conferences, Charity Events and other organizations on a variety of topics about her journey including alongside Mariano Rivera as keynote for his recent charity event.   When Denise was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in December, 2015, she felt lucky to be diagnosed early after she found a lump just months after a mammography (she had received a letter saying it was normal but didn't read further to see that it said she had dense breasts and may want further testing).  She had a lumpectomy in January and was fortunate enough to share her story on People.com.  Denise used social media and her platforms with The MOMS along with an ongoing series at GoodHousekeeping.com to continue to write about her journey.  ‬‬‬‬‬‬   Denise's video with the TSA after a horrific experience at LAX went viral and Denise is using that to educate others on the best ways to travel with illness.  Denise is in touch with hundreds of patients and families across the country and believes this answers the "why me?" and is passionate about raising awareness for Breast Cancer and helping others.    The MOMS created, produced and hosted, Strut, The Fashionable Mom Show that presented three times at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center.  Denise contributed to The Huffington Post Parents and The Huffington Post Divorce, where she wrote a series called, "Divorce Diaries". Denise previously served as a feature reporter for NBA-TV and a producer at Inside Edition.  Denise is a better mom because she works and a better worker because she’s a mom. She lives in NYC with her two boys, Jaron and Jaylan.