Deciding What To Do About School Is Exhausting
Today I had to decide whether to sign my kids up for on-campus school, remote public learning, or keep them in a homeschool were I choose the curriculum and the learning. Maybe you are wrestling with the same delima?
I have a little advice for you on this matter, after having gone through the decision making process myself, and I’ll get to that in just a minute.
This choice was by no means easy. I knew that I did NOT want my kids going to on-campus school.
See, our governor has decided the state will work on a “Plan B” approach.
For us, that means splitting the days into 1/2 of the students going in on Monday and Tuesday, and 1/2 of the students going in on Thursday and Friday, and then EVERYONE working from home on Wednesday.
Then, on top of that, the state has the option of going to distance learning AT ANY POINT they feel the schools are unsafe.
That’s a big no-go for us. Too much limbo. Too much craziness.
Not to mention, to be in the classroom, the students would have to wear masks 100% of the day, get no recess, eat lunch in the classroom, not change classrooms for special classes, and who knows what other craziness.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I know the schools and the state are doing everything they can here. There is NO winning solution. Someone is going to be upset no matter WHAT plan they decide to go with.
The teachers are stuck doing a crazy dance that involves trying to come up with lesson plans for kids who are at school and kids who are at home. And, they know that they also have to have their own Plan B, because they could be right back to the mess we were in at the end of LAST school year.
But, as a parent, THANK GOD we have options.
I didn’t say they were GREAT options. There are drawbacks, concerns, and even great things about each choice we have regarding what to do with school this year.
This is my advice to you — take it or leave it.
Talk to the principal at your child’s school. Many of them are already there at least part time during the day.
They can walk you through your options — they have been living and breathing them ALL SUMMER, so they should know what’s going on inside and out.
Don’t feel bad about whatever decision you make regarding your child’s education this year. These are not typical circumstances, and you can only do the best you can. Go with your gut. Go with what’s going to fit your family and situation.
Talk to your teacher friends. They know what’s about to go on in the classroom and beyond, and they’ll understand your trepidations. JUST GO EASY ON THEM. They are not having an easy time of things right now, and we need to show them some love.
Ask your kids for their opinion on the matter. You don’t have to do exactly what they say, but let them tell you what they are thinking about the whole situation.
It might be that they are JUST fine with going to school and wearing a mask all day. It might be that they would be more than happy to take on the workload that will come with doing their schoolwork at home. You never know if you don’t ask.
You got this, friend. We are all in this together, and we will come out the other side okay. We may be beaten up and weary, but we’ll make it!
Michelle I doubt you’ve even looked at TicTok or know anyone that uses or watches content from it. Your comment saying > “supporting and advocating for TikTok, a site that allows, encourages and endorses both children and adults to post videos of themselves acting like (mocking) they have Autism or Epilepsy” < is a very broad brush stroke, with all due respect you can find distasteful content on Facebook too, only difference is and I'm going to take a shot in the dark….you know how to use it, and someone who we won't mention isn't threatened by it.
The US government has issued security warnings not to engage in TickTock
On the upside, unless your kid is in high school, none of this really matters. Everyone will be behind next year, and your 8 year old has the mental capacity of a golden retriever.
With all respect, writing blogs about children while supporting and advocating for TikTok, a site that allows, encourages and endorses both children and adults to post videos of themselves acting like (mocking) they have Autism or Epilepsy, as one of your affiliations and/or advertisers, makes me seriously disgusted of what people do in this society just to make money….I was genuinely interested in reading what you wrote, but that alone made you lose all credibility for me for multiple reasons. Hopefully you do some research to educate yourself on who you are linking up with and what those companies stand for before chasing dollar signs. I get it that times are rough, but I hope at least for some morality, as a person, as a parent, and especially as someone who is trying to write and share blogs about children and parenting, that you would be more conscientious.
Michelle I doubt you’ve even looked at TicTok or know anyone that uses or watches content from it. Your comment saying > “supporting and advocating for TikTok, a site that allows, encourages and endorses both children and adults to post videos of themselves acting like (mocking) they have Autism or Epilepsy” < is a very broad brush stroke, with all due respect you can find distasteful content on Facebook too, only difference is and I'm going to take a shot in the dark….you know how to use it, and someone who we won't mention isn't threatened by it.
what is gift swaps?