The Parents Are All Stressed

For those who don’t have children in school, it’s the only subject any parents can talk about for the past month. 

It’s been very stressful - more so with a child who has interventions / IEP.

Our district decided on offering 5 days in person or all remote learning. We decided on remote for various reasons:

• health
• stability/consistency (with infections and symptoms, people will be in and out and the school could shut down quickly)
• we stay “clean” to continue seeing grandparents and extended family
• we stay “clean” to play with other kids who are doing remote in the neighborhood

However. Spring remote therapies was a bust. I had to schedule them into my already busy work schedule and small kids just can’t hang. PT was okay. Speech was fairly okay. But OT just isn’t possible remotely - that was all on us to facilitate. 

Our district netted about about 80% going back in person 5 days a week, 20% remote. 

Leading up, there has been a lot of complaining, impatience, emails, etc. - all from parents of course. 

Our entire district learned at 2pm last Friday that school is being delayed a week. Teachers were not prepared - they have been learning updates the same time parents have - ! They have been told they are teaching remotely right before the deadline hit, people are already switching over to remote learning before in-person started - it’s already been a mess. Frankly, I feel more time and planning has been spent on getting kids in school versus a solid remote plan. And why not, right? Schools get state funding by how many are enrolled :: sigh ::

We did learn a few weeks ago that our summer caregiver is taking the year off from her Early Education major - it was supposed to be a student teaching year. SO - that’s good news - she will be sticking with us to manage Hannah’s remote learning and transporting her to and from therapies. Although this wasn’t in our budget, and we’ll have to tighten up, it will be worth our sanity. 

Nora will be setting up shop with Tim and I in our bedroom “office.” Whenever this pandemic is under control and we get to leave this bedroom, I’m giving it a full makeover so it feels fresh and wash memories of working from home here. 

We received their schedules on the Friday before remote learning starts. Hannah’s therapies are all scheduled. Chromebooks are set up. Let’s roll. 

Wish all parents good luck and be gentle with us - emotions will be high!