It has been a month since I have seen my kids. 4 weeks, only one of which (spring break) was anticipated. When we first left school, the plan was to be back in session today. Things have changed drastically since that decision was made. And the hard truth is that we may not be going back this year at all.
What a crazy time to be growing a child. Or raising one. Or BE one.
Sending home kids for any kind of school break isn't quite like you'd imagine. You often hear how thankful teachers are to have a break from school. Check in on your teacher friends the week before Christmas, and somewhere around mid-February--we are not okay! We are drained. Done with endless paperwork and hoop-jumping. We need to recharge. We are ready for some time with our families. But walking away from our classrooms doesn't mean leaving everything behind. We carry our students with us everywhere we go. And we are left with questions, when they aren't with us: Are they eating? What are they eating? Are they being taken care of? Are they safe? Are they left alone during the day? Are they being loved...or abused?
And here's the kicker: when we know a break is coming, we have time to mentally prepare ourselves. We check in with our kids a little extra, hug them a little tighter, and reassure them that we will be back together soon. But this time, was different. We didn't have the luxury of time and mental preparation. And neither did our kids. My kids cried. They hugged each other. They hugged me. I had a kid lay face down on the carpet for a solid five minutes because he was so overcome with emotion he didn't know what else to do.
I miss my kids like crazy. My heart hurts to be away from them under these circumstances. Early on in this "extended break"/"quarantine"/"corona-cation", I saw this:
And it broke me.
We were having the most incredible year. I felt like I was in a good stride as a teacher. I felt like I had built strong relationships with students. I was excited about all the learning they had done, and the ways in which they were showing me they had learned, and were eager to learn more. I was excited about the things I had left to teach them. They were getting excited about our overnight field trip to camp, 5th grade recognition, and the transition to middle school. We weren't done yet.
And now, life looks completely different.
The transition from in-school to remote learning is not one we anticipated, as teachers. Nor one we feel adequately prepared for. And I can't help but think that this is not an easy transition for families, either. Everyone is trying to find a new normal, but none of this is. This is so much different. Which means that our expectations have to be, as well. Our older students are now taking care of younger siblings, on top of any schoolwork they are being asked to do for their multitude of classes. Many of them are our essential workers, at grocery stores, hospitals, and nursing homes. Our younger kids are dealing with some huge changes in routine, missing their friends, their teachers, and are scared by all the incoming information, which their families may or may not have time to sit down and talk through with them. Academics are not a top priority for kids right now. Yes, I would love to know that they are reading, writing, doing math, etc. But we are in the middle of a GLOBAL freaking PANDEMIC. There are just things that are more important. Kids need to know they are safe and loved. They need structure and routine--kids like boundaries. They rely on them. They need time to connect. With family, with friends, with nature. They need time to move around. To play. To tag, to swing, to leap, hop, and skip. To draw with chalk, to blow bubbles. They need time to be creative. Sing, dance, make music, imagine. They need to take breaks. To learn how to regulate their emotions. To think through a problem. To come up with an idea.
Parents, there is phenomenon in teaching known as "the first six weeks". The first six weeks of school are spent building relationships, and establishing routines and procedures. Yes, we do academics. But that time is so precious and important--it sets the tone for the whole year. While you have known your children for much longer than that, take it easy on yourselves as you are establishing the routines and procedures for your "new normal"--we are only 4 weeks in. And you're not just settling in your kids--you are settling in yourselves. So be kind to yourselves. Know that whatever you are doing for your kids is enough. Whatever routines you find that work for your family are perfect. You don't need to keep up with the family next door. Or the Pinterest-perfect moms you see posting on Facebook. (Take it from teachers who get stuck in this black hole at the beginning of every school year while we try and set up our classrooms!) You take care of yourselves, and your babies. I'll say it again: Whatever you are doing is enough. And your children's teachers stand behind you. Please take care of our kids :)
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