After two weeks of chaos, also known as Spring Break at home, we are back to remote learning! Here are a few things I've learned during this new normal:
1. Create a schedule. I've tried to create a realistic and manageable schedule for my girls to follow that gives them some focused time by themselves to do school work and gives me some uninterrupted time to work. I include snack and recess blocks to try to break up the sitting down time, as well as designated time for handwork and reading quietly.
2. Set out a snack basket. Another third grade parent shared a meme, "Do you go into the refrigerator at school? No. Use your school stomach!" After the first few days of being asked incessantly for food, a friend suggested a snack basket. I now set out a basket each morning for each girl with the day's snacks - maybe an apple, some granola, cheddar bunnies, etc. It is then up to your child when they eat those. I have one daughter who eats everything by 9:30 am and another who will ration throughout the day. But they know, those are the snacks for the day so do not ask mommy for anything else.
3. Be realistic. Some days run smoothly and we get through everything on the daily school plan. And some days, we don't make it through main lesson. Don't be too hard on yourself and know that we are all trying our best. Did my daughter read today and work on some multiplication tables? I'm calling that a win. We all have to adjust our expectations and know that this is not school at home, this is being at home, during a crisis, trying to do school, and those are different things.
4. Get by with a little help from your friends. My saving grace throughout this whole remote learning journey has been my friends and fellow SWS parents. We talk every day, venting about the hard stuff and celebrating the wins. Rely on your support system to be there for you and encourage you on the hard days. No one is expected to get through this alone and it sure makes it a lot easier knowing that a school full of SWS parents are all going through the same thing as my family.
Article submitted by Kirsten Hollan, SWS parent