School Days: What Will I Do In September?

When I became a mother, it became my unwritten, yet completely obvious, responsibility to put my child(ren) at the front of every decision I make. There have been some easy ones, quite a few complicated ones, and some that just make me want to bash my head into a brick wall. But nonetheless, I’ve gotten through even the most challenging of times, and my kids are alive, healthy and safe.

As parents, I think we can all agree that the most challenging decision we are facing right now is what we will do with our school-aged children once September hits. The new school year is approaching rather quickly, and no set plans seem to be in place. And if you’re anything like me, your racking your brain trying to figure out the most effective, safe, perfectly-laid out plan to keep your children from contracting an illness that very little is known about. You’re researching and reading and thinking and planning, trying to see what the best move for your family is. You’re checking out other parents’ plans, in hopes that maybe their plan for the fall might align with something your family needs. You’re listening to the news and reports every day, praying that someone will just tell you flat out what you have to do in September so the weight is somewhat lifted off of your shoulders and you don’t have to internally battle with yourself anymore. It’s draining you, and bringing your stress level to an all-time high.

I’m here to tell you, that as a mother AND a teacher, I’m right there with you.

Since school let out in March, I’ve been constantly worried about what a new school year will bring. Many, like myself, hoped that COVID would be long gone by the time our children were expected to return to school. Obviously, that isn’t the case. Districts across the nation are still struggling, trying to put together every little piece of information and put an effective plan in place so that staff and students can return safely to school. Granted, I’m not so sure that there’s a plan that’s one hundred perfect fool-proof. As an educator, I can guarantee that this is no easy feat for these administrators and school district employees. They’re working overtime to make sure that whatever steps they are taking affect the students and staff in a positive manner. They want to make schools the safest possible to ensure that children are receiving the education they need. As an educator, I can understand how difficult this is for those administrators. On the flip side, I’m sure many parents across the States are not thrilled with their district’s plan. And as a working mom, I can empathize. It’s difficult not knowing what September will bring, how you will keep your child on track and who will be watching your child should they decide remote learning is the way to go. I get it. It’s completely frustrating. But as a teacher and a mom, I just want you all to know:

IT. WILL. BE. OKAY.

These are some seriously unchartered waters that EVERYONE is trying to navigate through. No one in our lifetime has had to cope and plan for a pandemic like this. There’s new information being brought forward almost daily, and it’s hard to keep up with what’s now safe and what’s not safe. And many of you out there are fighting with yourself, trying to figure out whether school will be safe enough or not. Some of you have to send your child to school in the fall because your job is on the line. You worry that others will judge you for sending your kid to school, but how will your bills be paid if there‘s no break from your employer or the government? Some of you already made it clear that you will be keeping your child home, but then you worry that you’re sheltering them too much and they’re not getting the experiences they need in order to develop in society.

I’ve struggled with both ends of the spectrum here. Mind you, we’ve seen people over the last few months. I’ve been cautious, but not overly cautious. I don’t intend to live like a hermit the rest of my life, but I also make the tough decision to not see people when necessary to keep my kids safe. Anyways, my youngest daughter will be entering preschool in September, but due to the circumstances and the fact that preschool isn’t a requirement in NJ, I will be keeping her home. Thankfully, I have that option. Many do not. My oldest daughter will be in first grade in the fall. Remote learning was just not for her. She’s an awesome student, but she needs to be with her peers. Being at home with me for six months has been extremely rough on her anxiety, and I worry for her every day. She needs a teacher who is not mommy, and to be in a structured classroom setting. She learns best that way. However, my biggest fear is that my child will be the one out of however many to contract COVID critically, and that in turn just made me want to keep her home. I understand that I have an educational background, and I can help my own kids through this, and a multitude of parents out there have no clue as to how to help their child. “How do I teach my kid? I’m no teacher.” It’s just another struggle. And I unfortunately don’t have the answers to all of these problems.

There are SO many things at play here when considering your family’s best option for the upcoming school year. But you have to do what is best for YOUR family. You cannot worry about other’s opinions and what your decision will look like to other people.

If you choose to keep your child home, great! I know you’ll be the best parent/teacher for your child and give them all the love and support they need during this time.

If you choose to send your child to school, that’s great, too! I know you’ll take all the precautions to keep your kid (and other kids) as safe as possible. And I know those awesome teachers out there will be doing everything in their power to keep your child safe, too.

There has been so much chatter in the news and on social media, shaming parents for their decisions on whether or not to keep their child home in September. I think it’s time we practice telling others how we understand the struggle and how hard it must’ve been to make the decision they’ve made, instead of putting them down about it. One family’s choice may not suit another family, and that’s OKAY.

It’s all going to be okay.

You do you, mama (or dad) and worry about your own little family. Do what’s best for YOUR kids and YOUR life.

We’re strong individuals, and our nation will get through this. Our kids will get through this. WE will get through this.

XO, Kelsey