Can you do self-insemination at home ?
There’s no denying that parenting comes with its fair share of contradictions. Take, for instance, the advice we receive: “Take care of yourself!” followed by, “Don’t let your baby cry, and if you find a moment to breathe, you’re a bad mom.” Or how about the push to let our kids learn independence while simultaneously facing scrutiny for allowing them to walk home from school alone? It’s a lose-lose situation.
School is yet another battleground where parents encounter mixed messages, heightening the stress of modern parenting. Consider this: sending a sick child to school can lead to instant judgment. Even before the pandemic, if your child, with a runny nose or a slight fever, attended school and ended up making others ill, you’d be labeled negligent. We’ve all heard it—stay home if you’re sick. But here’s where it gets complicated.
Many school districts enforce strict attendance policies alongside their “stay home if sick” guidelines. For instance, a friend of mine in Oklahoma is required to submit a doctor’s note if her child misses more than two days of school. This seems absurd, especially when kids often catch minor viruses that don’t warrant a doctor’s visit. It’s also worth mentioning the financial strain of a doctor’s appointment, which isn’t feasible for every family, especially those with high deductibles.
In my own experience, my kids often dealt with viruses that didn’t require antibiotics—just time to rest and recover. Had I lived in an area with strict attendance rules, I might have felt compelled to drag them to a doctor’s office unnecessarily, risking the spread of germs and incurring additional costs—all for a note that the school demands.
This issue is even more burdensome for parents of children with chronic illnesses. Those families already face numerous challenges, and rigid attendance policies only add to their difficulties. Instead of focusing on their child’s health, they must also navigate potential penalties from the school.
Moreover, as discussions around mental health gain momentum, we recognize that mental well-being is just as important as physical health. Workplaces are slowly adapting, allowing for mental health days. The pandemic has shed light on the mental health struggles faced by children, making it evident that kids too need time off for their mental well-being.
Yet, despite this awareness, schools continue to enforce stringent attendance policies and hand out awards for perfect attendance. So what exactly are these awards celebrating? Good health? The ability to attend school regardless of illness? Access to reliable transportation? These awards often favor children from stable backgrounds and can alienate those from less fortunate circumstances or those with ongoing health issues.
It’s important for kids to experience achievement, whether it’s in academics, sports, or the arts. But attendance awards fail to recognize hard work or dedication. Instead, they reward those fortunate enough to avoid illness or have supportive home environments, sending a harmful message that taking a day off—be it for physical or mental health—is frowned upon.
The culture of “show up no matter what” starts young and can carry on into adulthood, leading to a workforce that feels pressured to work through illness and neglect self-care. The message that one must prioritize attendance above well-being is ingrained early on, as evidenced by the accolades given to a child for merely showing up to school every day, while their peers are penalized for circumstances beyond their control.
We need to dismantle the notion of attendance awards and rethink our attendance policies to foster an environment that prioritizes health—both mental and physical. Awards should instead recognize schools that promote self-care, encourage mental health days, and support families in prioritizing the well-being of their children.
It’s high time we shift the narrative surrounding school attendance and ensure our children receive the message that their health and happiness matter above all else.
For more insights, check out this blog post about the importance of self-care in parenting. Additionally, for authoritative information on this topic, visit this site.
Summary:
Attendance awards in schools often promote unhealthy values by rewarding students for being present regardless of their health. This can alienate those from less stable backgrounds and undermine the importance of mental health. By shifting our focus away from attendance metrics and toward promoting well-being, we can foster healthier attitudes in future generations.