After nearly two years of upheaval, the return to school for our children should have been a moment of unadulterated joy. There should be photos filled with smiles, heartfelt hugs, and happy tears—a collective sigh of relief as life returns to normal: creativity, work, and social connections. But the reality? Your friend with kids is likely not okay. Especially if those kids are under 12.
The past year has been incredibly challenging. We juggled remote work while keeping our kids entertained at home. We had conference calls amidst the chaos of children clamoring for more screen time. We promised ourselves we’d establish educational routines, only to find ourselves in emotional breakdowns while they consumed reruns of cartoons. We worried incessantly about our health and that of our loved ones.
We avoided farmer’s markets due to safety concerns, all the while feeling guilty about not providing our families with fresh food. Playground visits felt too risky, so our kids ended up doing exercise routines via YouTube, which only added to our guilt over screen time. Our physical health deteriorated, as we struggled to find time for self-care.
So, with kids finally back in school, you would think things would improve, right? It should be a chance to relax with friends, regain our work rhythm, and focus on healthy eating. The world should feel brighter, but the first day of school arrived, and it was far from ideal.
The Delta variant has surged, and pediatric cases are rising. After many sleepless nights, we convinced ourselves sending our kids back to school was necessary. The benefits seemed to outweigh the risks, especially since many of us rely on work for our livelihood—how else can we afford those organic groceries?
Yet, this choice brings no comfort. Our eyes are bloodshot from late nights spent poring over articles about rare but tragic cases of children affected by the virus. We find ourselves fixating on stories of young lives lost, and suddenly, we’re spending more on high-quality masks than on nutritious food.
As we drop our kids off at school, we cling to them nervously, snapping a quick masked photo before feeling the weight of anxiety settle in. Will our children be part of those statistics? We can’t shake off the fear of being the one who brings illness home.
Despite the turmoil, we hide our fears from our little ones. We maintain a cheerful demeanor, singing songs and engaging in pretend play, even as we feel the exhaustion creeping in. Once they finally sleep, we find ourselves awake, questioning how much more we can bear. We dive back into research, endlessly scrolling for more updates.
If you’ve noticed your friend who is a mom seems different lately—missing that spark in her eyes—it’s likely because she’s struggling. Trust me, I know this feeling all too well.
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Summary
The return to school for children amidst the ongoing pandemic has left many parents, particularly those with kids under 12, feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Juggling work and parenting during the pandemic has been challenging, and despite their children being back in school, parents continue to cope with fears about health and safety. Understanding the struggles of these parents is essential, as they navigate their way through a complex emotional landscape.