Let's face it, no matter what our preference is, there are positives and not so positive aspects of e-learning. I don't know many working parents who want to do e-learning as the primary option. At the same time, not may working parents want to send their children to school full time with an unknown amount of risk. This dilemma is so multifaceted that it's hard to keep it all straight. Sometimes, what we need is a bit of perspective.
The positives first:
We have the ability to keep our kids safe and decrease the risk of contracting COVID by keeping them home.
We get to really see how our kids learn and focus on what they do well.
We have the option to join a pod of parents and kids in the same grade to potentially collaborate - virtually or by way of practicing social distancing.
We don't have to worry about carpooling to make sure our kids get to school on time and come home after school or an activity. This includes not having to worry about making the bus on time (since we all know mornings typically aren't our kids' finest hour).
The not-so-positives:
Stress of wondering how much our kids are actually learning.
Worry about what our kids are going to do if the day is shortened.
Not having the time away from our kids that we used to so that we could get a mental break from parenthood.
Concern about things going the way they did at the end of the last school year (for better or worse).
Challenges of maintaining a level of productivity with work while e-learning is happening at home.
As parents ourselves, we know this feeling. We see and hear you. We may not have all the answers right now, but know that there will be a level of normalcy at some point. Remember to put your oxygen mask on first. If we take care of ourselves to the best of our ability, we will have more tolerance for the uncertainty of the future - and the uncertainty of how e-learning is going to go.
If you're looking for situation-specific strategies, reach out to our office for a free 15-minute consultation. We are here to help you problem solve this unprecedented time.