Homeschooling in the Time of Coronavirus
Hey there, how are you doing? It’s ok if the answer isn’t “great”, or even “ok”. These are weird times we’re living in. It’s hard for everyone right now, and that’s ok. One day we’re going to look back on this time and go “Holy shit I really did do THAT”, but you know what, today is not that day. Today it is 150000% A-OK to go “Wow this is some seriously messed up shit and I don’t know how we’re going to get through it.”
If you have kids, which, if you’re reading here I’m kind of assuming you do, you’ve most likely found yourself suddenly homeschooling. At the exact same time that you’ve most likely found yourself suddenly a full time stay-at-home or work-from-home parent, maybe even with a partner that has similarly suddenly obtained a new or nonexistent occupation. And you may find yourself thinking “Victoria, I have three kids in different grades how the hell do I keep them on track with their schoolwork AND do my job AND navigate this global crisis all at the same time?!?!?”
And this is where I, the previously homeschooling parent that is, surprisingly, going through this just as much as you are, say, “You don’t. What’s being asked of most parents right now isn’t just unreasonable, I’m pretty sure it’s impossible”.
I know, not what you wanted to hear. But I mean this in the most encouraging way possible:
This is not the time to worry about “keeping up”
Here’s something you need to know about homeschoolers: LITERALLY NONE OF US have homeschooling thrust upon us with a week’s notice (or less) during a national crisis while also having to deal with either a) learning to do our job in an entirely different way/location, or b) dealing with a sudden and significant loss of income and the accompanying stress.
TYPICALLY the decision to homeschool is made over months, if not years, with careful considerations over the different philosophies and methods that would work best with our families. TYPICALLY these decisions are made around existing jobs and work/life balance. TYPICALLY we are not given assignments or work packets meant to correspond to a traditional six-hour school day by a teacher who’s gifts are in the classroom learning environment which is really not the same thing at all as the home learning environment. TYPICALLY we have a lot more things to do than just stay at home.
If you feel like you’re not doing this “right”, please know that nothing about this situation is normal and that is not even a realistic expectation to have.
it is 100% ok if you’re just surviving right now
Look, I know we all want what’s best for our kids, and a lot of the time that DOES mean maintaining continuity and high standards. But kids are smarter and more aware of what’s going on than we give them credit for. Even if they aren’t SAYING that they’re worried about what’s going on in the world (or the changes they’re experiencing at home), they’re feeling it. And that’s going to make any kind of “official” school work SO much more difficult. I bet you’re feeling it too, which is going to make any kind of “official” teaching even more difficult than the fact that you’re jumping in at the end of the school year into curriculum that 1. you didn’t pick, 2. is written for the classroom, and 3. maybe you yourself don’t fully understand the material.
I know that every family and every child is different, but what I do know that ALL kids need at this time is extra love, understanding, and space to process. Maybe for your family that looks like making a new daily routine, maybe it looks like skipping all of the homework packets and going on a hike, maybe it looks like days of pajamas and Netflix while you work, maybe it looks like everyone takes afternoon naps now. All of these are 100% valid options because, like I said earlier, nothing about this is normal.
Please, give yourself a break.
Don’t try to approximate a six-hour school day at home while also juggling your work and other responsibilities. No homeschoolers do this. Why? Because that six hours at school INCLUDES lunch, breaks, non-class activities, AND the time spent on classroom management like lining up and getting all on the same page. Because classroom education is inherently different than home education for both the instructor and the student. Because teachers have degrees and credentials and experience and you are a parent with an entirely different occupation that has been thrown into this.
Don’t compare yourself to anyone. Not to the overachiever families with their color coded daily routines and lesson plans. Not to the super hands-on families that are gardening and baking bread and doing science experiments. Not to the super outdoorsy family that is on a hike every single day and has zero screen time. Not to the super artsy family thats already done 3987436 projects. Not to my family who didn’t get any kind of semblance to a routine with regular educational activities until the THIRD week of quarantine.
Don’t worry that because of these few weeks your kids’ education will be irreparably derailed with lifelong consequences. Just… don’t even go here. Kids are resilient, their little minds are sponges, and whether you think you’re “teaching” them or not they ARE learning.
And please know this is not an accurate representation of homeschooling.
Honestly, we’re struggling too. We don’t actually just stay home all day with books and worksheets. We have classes and co-ops and lessons and playdates and field trips and errands and appointments and groups and sports and that all got cancelled for us too. We’re feeling the isolation and stir-craziness and just general uncertainty just as much as everyone else.
And if no one else has told you this today:
You are doing a freaking fantastic job
