After spending 18 months at home juggling remote learning and homeschooling, my two boys finally returned to school earlier this month. While I’ve felt anxious about sending them back during an ongoing pandemic, one of my sons is vaccinated, and both schools are implementing great safety measures. Overall, I believe it’s the right choice. Their mental well-being was suffering, and it was time for them to reconnect with peers and get back into a structured routine.
So far, they seem to be adjusting well. I worried they might find the transition overwhelming, especially with the early mornings and getting on the bus. Yet, aside from a few hiccups, they’re managing fine—knock on wood! I haven’t heard many complaints about waking up or homework.
Meanwhile, I’m feeling completely overwhelmed and drained. Don’t get me wrong; I cherish having a quiet home during school hours. Last year, both my husband and I were working from home while trying to educate our kids, which was pure chaos. Still, I didn’t feel nearly as stressed as I do now.
With everyone home, we could sleep a bit later and didn’t have to rush to pack lunches or get the kids dressed. Housework could be done at any time instead of being crammed into the early morning or right before bed. The flexibility made a big difference.
Part of my current stress stems from the fact that last year, my husband was around to help more. He was working part-time and could manage meals and morning chores. Now, he leaves before my youngest wakes up, leaving me to handle the morning routine alone.
Once I send my youngest off to school, I dive into work. I try to maximize every moment the kids are at school, aiming to finish by 3 PM to greet them when they return. After school, our evenings are packed with activities until we finally get our youngest to bed.
From 3 to 8 PM, we’re busy with meals, cleaning lunchboxes, prepping for the next day, making dinner, and helping with homework. If I haven’t finished my work by then, I sometimes squeeze in a couple of hours in the evening to catch up. By the time we unwind, my high schooler is also awake, eager to chat about his day, which I love, but it adds to the busyness.
Basically, my day starts at the crack of dawn and doesn’t slow down until I finally collapse into bed. Last year, even with remote learning, our days weren’t this relentless. I was stressed about the pandemic and my kids’ isolation, but I’ve realized just how much added pressure comes with sending them back to school.
The sheer volume of emails, permission slips, lunch orders, and homework can be overwhelming. My children may not have much homework, but getting them to sit down and do it often takes hours of persuasion. We have rules in place, but managing tired, stubborn kids is never straightforward.
Nonetheless, I don’t regret sending them back to school. They’re thriving and seem to value their education even more after being away for so long. I know I’ll adapt again—I managed for eight years before everything changed in March 2020.
The pandemic has taught us the importance of a simpler, slower lifestyle. Modern parenting, where both parents work while managing kids’ schooling and activities, can feel like a real challenge. Unfortunately, neither my husband nor I can stop working, and we can’t afford additional help, so we’re shouldering all the responsibilities ourselves.
But we’re not alone. Every parent I know is feeling the strain—from hectic schedules to pandemic-related anxieties. We’ll get through this; it’s what parents do.
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Summary
Returning my kids to school after 18 months at home has been a relief for their social and mental health, but it has brought a new level of stress for me. The chaos of mornings, homework, and busy evenings has made me nostalgic for the flexibility we had when they were home. While I wouldn’t change my decision to send them back, I recognize the additional challenges modern parenting brings, especially during these uncertain times.
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