My kids have finally returned to school after what felt like the longest spring break ever. They left their lessons in March and just resumed in-person learning last week. Over those eight long months at home, I tried my hand at being a homeschooling mom, juggling lessons at the kitchen counter, in the car, and even sneaking time in the bathroom. I spent 243 days baking muffins and stocking the pantry with snacks while managing the emotional rollercoaster that comes with having three kids bursting with energy.
During this time, I gained a newfound respect for teachers. I learned two crucial lessons as a pandemic parent. First and foremost, common core math is way beyond my skill set. This particular subject is best left to professionals—or anyone who enjoys taking the long route to the answer. Yelling at my tearful middle schooler to “just get to the answer already” was not my finest parenting moment, and my ninth grader thought he was being challenged when I dismissed trinomial equations as something only “nerds and losers” would care about.
To keep the kids from staging a revolt after my multiple math fails, I found someone who truly enjoys math and knows it inside and out. He’s a real teacher, and when I hear him explain complex concepts that sound like magic, my kids actually seem to understand. Even better, they say they enjoy math now. I nearly choked on my evening cocktail when I heard that and promptly booked another tutoring session.
The second lesson I learned during those never-ending pandemic days was that I had the bittersweet gift of uninterrupted time with my children. With sports, school, and social activities on hold, I had the chance to immerse myself in their lives through hugs, hikes, and endless games of backgammon. I worked hard to fill the emotional gaps left by their teachers and friends, but after nearly a year, my unique brand of fun couldn’t hold up. Despite my best efforts to compete with their silly jokes and homemade treats, I could have arrived on a unicorn serving gourmet snacks and they wouldn’t have noticed.
I couldn’t match the consistency of a real teaching schedule or the expertise needed to cover a wide range of subjects. Overnight, I became an unwelcome, unfunny guest in my own home. My experiment with being a “bad homeschool teacher” was coming to an end.
When the time finally came for my kids to go back to school, I put on a brave face, knowing they needed this change. They were deprived of essential social interactions, and the relationships they build with their teachers are incredibly important. Still, I felt a pang of sadness at losing them to the classroom.
While I do feel a bit embarrassed that teachers now have my kids’ full attention and admiration, I recognize they’ve earned that respect. Teachers can explain complicated ideas one moment and remind students to wear deodorant the next without getting an eye-roll. That’s the true art of teaching.
I hope to carry forward the insights COVID has given me about education. Teachers, whether they are in-person or online, are the unsung heroes of our communities and deserve our unwavering support.
If you’re interested in exploring more about home insemination, check out this other blog post. This is a great resource for anyone considering different paths to parenthood.
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In summary, despite holding a teaching degree, my attempt at homeschooling was far from successful. I learned to appreciate the skills of professional educators and the importance of social interactions for my children. As they return to school, I hope to cherish the lessons learned during this challenging time.
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