Surely, this couldn’t last long, right?
Over the past year, our family has largely stayed isolated, missing out on traditional gatherings like Easter dinners and Fourth of July barbecues. After a panic attack during a nearly empty mini-golf outing, our vacation options dwindled. We ended up choosing Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio, which had seen relatively low COVID-related deaths compared to our home in Berks County, Pennsylvania, where case numbers soared.
As the summer faded, our only social interactions were with a few cautious relatives and friends who felt more like family. Following Halloween, COVID cases surged as schools began loosening restrictions and people grew increasingly indifferent to safety protocols. For our family, contact with anyone outside our immediate circle became a rarity, limited to quick exchanges with grocery delivery personnel.
We are fortunate that our daughters attend schools offering both full virtual and hybrid options. I, too, have been fully virtual as a ninth-grade English teacher since August. While many people believe children need to return to in-person schooling, the reality is more complex. Anxiety and depression among youth are on the rise, and sadly, youth suicides are occurring at younger ages. My husband and I take these concerns very seriously.
Our 12-year-old participates in horseback riding lessons outdoors, and she earned a lead role in a virtual school production. When asked if she wants to return to in-person schooling, she expresses that it would disrupt the comfort she and her virtual friends have created since August.
Our five-year-old, however, is eager to hop on a school bus if her district implements its planned hybrid model. But, considering her age and the challenges of keeping young children masked in a classroom setting, we have reservations. As her superintendent mentioned, this will hardly resemble a typical school experience. Kindergarten, a space meant for imagination and collaboration, is now filled with taped-off areas and sanitized toy bins.
Even more frustrating is that, as we opt for full virtual learning, our daughter will miss an entire week of instruction while others transition back to in-person classes. The teachers won’t have the time to provide the engaging videos that our daughter has come to love. Since kindergarten is not mandatory in Pennsylvania, parents have limited influence over these decisions. Many children whose parents work from home are also staying virtual, leading to uncertainty and confusion for kids who haven’t even stepped foot in their classrooms.
This is not the vision we want for our daughter’s education.
With both my husband and I now vaccinated, we made the decision to enroll her in gymnastics—a class she has longed for. Some may question our choice, viewing it as a compromise. However, the gym adheres to strict COVID safety protocols, including masks and sanitizing equipment. The risk of exposure is minimal compared to the benefits of social interaction for her while she remains in virtual school.
Her first gymnastics class was quite impressive for many reasons. While we take precautions seriously, we refuse to let our guard down simply because we are vaccinated. We will continue to follow safety protocols and only invite vaccinated friends into our home. Our children understand the importance of safety and will never be forced into a situation that makes them uncomfortable.
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In summary, while we have chosen to keep our daughter in virtual school to ensure her comfort and safety, we have also enrolled her in gymnastics to provide her with essential socialization. We believe this balanced approach will support her well-being during these challenging times.
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