After what felt like an eternity, my children finally returned to school following the longest spring break in history. Since March, they had been learning from home, and after eight long months, they have resumed in-person classes. During those challenging months, I found myself navigating the complexities of homeschooling while juggling life at the kitchen counter, in the car, and even while sneaking away to the bathroom for a moment of peace. I baked countless muffins and stocked up on snacks while enduring 5,840 exhausting hours with three kids who were overflowing with energy and emotions.
Throughout this experience, my appreciation for teachers grew tremendously as I learned two essential lessons as a pandemic parent. First and foremost, I realized that common core math is a challenge best left to professionals. My attempts to hurry my frustrated middle-schooler to arrive at answers were less than stellar, and my ninth grader was less than impressed when I dismissed trinomial equations as irrelevant. To avoid a revolt from my kids after my numerous math blunders, I sought out a real teacher who genuinely understands math. To my relief, he explains concepts in a way that resonates with my kids, who now claim to enjoy the subject. When I heard that, I almost choked on my evening cocktail and quickly booked another tutoring session.
The second lesson I learned was that I had been granted the bittersweet opportunity to spend uninterrupted time with my children. Without the distractions of sports, school, and social gatherings, I filled our days with hugs, outdoor adventures, and endless games. I tried my best to fill the emotional void usually occupied by teachers and friends, but after nearly a year, even my efforts began to falter. I struggled to compete with the humor and camaraderie of their peers and the structure that formal education provides. It became clear that I was losing my status as a fun and engaging figure in their lives.
As the day approached for my children to return to school, I put on a brave face, knowing how important this transition was for them. They had missed out on significant social interactions and the invaluable relationships that develop between teachers and students. While I felt a twinge of sadness at their departure, I understood that they needed this change.
Although I feel a bit sheepish about how my kids have shifted their focus to their teachers, I trust that these educators deserve every bit of respect and admiration they receive. Teachers have an incredible ability to explain complex subjects while managing the quirks of their students, and they do it all without eliciting eye rolls. That’s a remarkable feat.
I hope to carry forward the lessons I learned during this pandemic about education. Teachers, whether working in person or online, are the unsung heroes of our communities and deserve our unwavering support now more than ever. For more insight into this topic, check out this post on our other blog, or visit Healthline for excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
Navigating the challenges of homeschooling during a pandemic opened my eyes to the vital role teachers play in our children’s lives. Despite my teaching degree, I struggled to keep my kids engaged academically while providing emotional support. Ultimately, their return to school was a necessary change, allowing them to reconnect with peers and dedicated educators who can offer the structure and expertise I couldn’t.