Under normal circumstances, I homeschool my kids five days a week. They typically rise around eight, and we kick off our lessons by ten. Occasionally, my oldest dives into a book even earlier—reading is a passion in our home. I work with my six-year-old on math, and we explore writing and social studies afterward. Science is sprinkled in when it feels right, but since their dad is an amateur naturalist, they absorb plenty of that through daily life. Lunch follows, and that’s how we usually roll. But now, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, our routine has completely changed. We aren’t really homeschooling; we’re crisis schooling.
Crisis schooling is a whole different ballgame than traditional homeschooling. It’s the reality we’re all facing, and it’s essential to understand that we’re not educators in this context. Instead, we’re support staff, counselors, and comforters. My partner, Jake, who teaches in a public school, and I agreed early on that our children have a lifetime to grasp subjects like math. In these challenging times, we want them to learn resilience, security, and how to cope with adversity. Above all, we aim to preserve their mental health during this crisis.
What Does Crisis Schooling Entail?
Quite simply: we’re navigating a pandemic, and our children are understandably fearful. Their predominant emotions are likely anxiety, boredom, and worry. Learning becomes nearly impossible when these feelings overshadow their minds. For kids to thrive academically, they need a sense of safety, stability, and connection with friends—none of which they have right now.
Crisis schooling requires us to be adaptable, prioritizing our children’s emotional well-being over their academic progress. When my kids were feeling scared, we didn’t insist on reading or math. Instead, we snuggled up on the couch to watch the LEGO Movie or indulged in a Star Wars marathon. We focused on comfort rather than traditional learning. Why? Because you can’t learn when you’re overwhelmed with fear.
What This Means for You
First off, don’t stress about those educational packets. You’re not a teacher, and your child isn’t your student. Your primary role is as a parent, and that hasn’t changed due to the pandemic. Your main responsibility is to ensure your child’s overall well-being—both physical and emotional—before you worry about academics. Happiness and security come first; education can come later. Some days, educational efforts will be successful; other days, they may barely register. And some days, nothing will happen at all. That’s perfectly acceptable. Embrace the unpredictability of crisis schooling.
Remember, you didn’t choose this situation. You didn’t decide to withdraw your child from school for any reason. This was a sudden shift imposed by circumstances beyond your control. Crisis schooling is not a choice but a necessity, and it’s okay if you don’t enjoy it. Many parents who opted for homeschooling are also feeling the strain, and that’s entirely normal.
Give yourself permission to feel frustrated or overwhelmed. You may feel like your personal time has vanished, that your kids are testing your patience, or that balancing work and teaching is impossible. These feelings are valid, and you deserve to experience them.
The Importance of Self-Care
Self-care is crucial. You, too, are navigating a crisis. I recently found myself feeling overwhelmed, and on that day, school simply didn’t happen. And that’s okay. Crisis schooling means prioritizing mental health, for both you and your children. When you take care of yourself, it benefits them as well.
We’re living through an unprecedented period, a time that will be remembered. It’s unrealistic to expect everything to continue as usual. Everyone will experience emotional ups and downs, and this is part of being human. It’s how we cope with crisis schooling, which is distinctly different from typical homeschooling.
They say, “may you live in interesting times.” A blessing or a curse? Well, interesting times certainly don’t adhere to the norm. So, cut yourself, your kids, and their teachers some slack.
For more insights on navigating these challenging times, check out some of our other blog posts here.
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Summary
In summary, during this pandemic, we find ourselves in a situation known as crisis schooling, which vastly differs from traditional homeschooling. Our priority should be the emotional well-being of our children rather than strict adherence to academic learning. Recognizing that this is a challenging time for both parents and kids is essential; it’s okay to feel overwhelmed.
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