It was just 9:30 a.m. when my tween had reached her limit with remote learning. Her Zoom password wouldn’t work, two assignments from her daily list were confusing her, and the relentless rain outside meant no chance for outdoor play. She was done, and honestly, so was I. Alongside supporting her, I was juggling e-learning setup for my other three kids.
Like many families, our journey through this crisis learning period has been challenging. Initially, I tried to manage everything, determined to keep our family on track. This quickly became overwhelming and frustrating. We shifted our focus to what was essential, making decisions about what to prioritize and what could be set aside. Even with a daily routine to give the kids the predictability they craved, it was evident that some days would call for a break dedicated to mental health.
The truth is, just because children are learning at home doesn’t mean their experiences are any less stressful or demanding. In fact, crisis learning has placed additional burdens on my kids. I’m not equipped to teach fifth-grade math or manage speech therapy sessions, and my kids can sense when I’m feeling overwhelmed, resulting in a tense atmosphere for all of us. On days when my anxiety kicks in, I struggle to support my children in managing their own feelings. Parents can’t pour from an empty cup.
This isn’t about giving up when things get tough—life during quarantine is already challenging enough. With both my husband and I working from home while trying to assist our kids with their studies, we’ve faced our share of ups and downs. We haven’t found a perfect balance, and I doubt that’s even possible. Some days, we simply need to call it quits for the sake of our mental well-being.
If our children are experiencing mental health challenges, they aren’t learning effectively. There’s no reason to force them to complete a social studies worksheet or attend another Zoom call if it’s clear they aren’t gaining anything from it. Forcing them to push through only drains their energy and focus, making the entire situation miserable. As parents, we have the authority to declare a mental health day when needed.
Currently, we have a great opportunity to teach our children to heed the signals their minds and bodies send them. If they’re feeling anxious or down, they should recognize those feelings and respond appropriately. Ignoring these signs can lead to bigger problems down the line. The best way to approach this is for parents to model how to take a mental health day and encourage kids to express when they need a break.
I refuse to let my children reach a breaking point that could take days to recover from. Instead, we take a proactive approach. When I notice they’re feeling off, we pause. This could mean enjoying a healthy snack, stepping outside, or putting schoolwork on hold for a bit. If a longer break is needed, we’ll take an entire day off. We’ll stay in our pajamas, spend time on creative play like Lego building, or watch a movie. Sometimes, all kids need is the green light to reset.
You may wonder how teachers feel about this. My children’s educators have been incredibly supportive. Many of them are navigating their own kids’ distance learning while teaching ours, so they understand the challenges. We maintain open communication with them, discussing when we need extended deadlines or when an assignment needs to be redone. Never have we faced resistance for prioritizing mental health.
Some might argue that I’m coddling my children, asserting that taking mental health days doesn’t apply in the “real world.” However, this isn’t the normal world we once knew. The pandemic has created a new reality that demands flexibility and fresh perspectives. As parents, we have the chance to demonstrate to our children how to be adaptable and resilient while also knowing when to advocate for their needs.
Children’s mental health is just as vital as their emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being. These aspects are interconnected, and if one suffers, it can impact the others. Thus, we choose to take mental health days, just as we would if our child were physically unwell. We won’t hesitate to ensure our children are seen as whole individuals, not just students.
I refuse to push my kids to the brink of burnout. We’re reducing their workloads wherever possible to make their daily tasks more manageable. And when tough days inevitably arise, we recognize the need for a mental health day. There’s always tomorrow.
For further insights, you might find value in this resource on IVF, which relates to the importance of mental health during times of stress. Additionally, check out this post on mental health and wellness strategies. Lastly, Intracervical Insemination offers excellent information on self-care practices.
Summary
In conclusion, allowing your child to take a mental health day during remote learning is essential for their overall well-being. By creating an environment where mental health is prioritized, you encourage your children to listen to their needs and advocate for themselves, fostering resilience and adaptability in a challenging world.