Early in the pandemic, I read, “We’re all in the same storm, but riding it out on different boats”, and I’ve carried that along with me.  I’m seeing my feed fill up with people upset that they’re sending kids back to in-school learning that will lead to the third wave and it’s going to undo all the work we’ve done. 

I get it and they are right. 

I’ve also seen people relieved because distance learning is hard.  It’s hard for kids to sit at a screen and try to focus, it’s hard on the kids who thrive on classmate interaction and socialization.  It’s hard on the mental health of the students, teachers, and parents. 

I get it, they’re right.

Both boys have been in distance learning since March 2020.  I’m high risk and have been working from home since then.  While Ethan has been successful, he’s feeling left behind and cannot take the courses he wants remotely.  He ended up with two courses last semester that was never one of his choices.  He asked to go back this month, and I agreed.  Jackson, however, hasn’t been as successful with remote learning.  I’m not going to lay it all on his shoulders or all on his teachers, but the first half of this school year would have been more productive with Jack playing cards to practice math and going for walks to learn about geography.  We all decided it would be best for him to return to in-school learning this month.  The saving grace is that he’s been assigned to one of the BEST teachers in his school for the remainder of the year.  I see a dramatic turnabout coming.

I’m anxious, I know they’ll be anxious.  We have to improve our Covid protocols at the front door.  They really haven’t left the house with the exception of going to their fathers since the summer.  I didn’t even bother buying them winter gear … and darn it I’m scrambling to find boots and snow-pants now.  There’s so much unknown and while I’d rather have them both home until there is mass vaccination, it’s not realistic for either of them, and I have to accept that.

 

Pandemic Fine
(noun)

It’s living through a global pandemic while maintaining your job and your health while still feeling tired, worried, and just done with everything.

 

It’s okay, I’m “fine”.