Sara Sandstrom, Peak to Peak. We are getting into this Home Learning groove…sorta, kinda, some days, some hours. No one magically knows how to do school this way and work all this technology. The students, teachers and parents are all learning how to do this while they are supposed to be doing it. It is amazing how much we have all learned in a short period of time.

My first grader is taking pictures and videos with little to no help on her Seesaw platform. Incredible! 

I know my mood makes a huge difference for my kids during the day. I have learned that I need to get up significantly earlier than the kids do so my day starts off well. Then, I am more able to handle their frustration and stress. There is a lot of anxiety with Home Learning for everyone involved. One less argument and one less lost temper is a success. It also takes time to build up stamina to be in school or at home and in school.

In the last week I have made a few changes that have helped with organization and mood. I purchased a large white board to write each of my children’s school schedules on. This means I do not have to look through hundreds of emails two or three times a day to find the schedule and the kids do not have to ask me what they are doing next. 

I wake the kids up early enough, so they are not rushed with breakfast and getting ready. I have one kid who gets up mostly on their own and one that could sleep until 11 a.m. if allowed. That late sleeper especially appreciates the no rush morning. 

While on one of my Zoom meetings last week I noticed that I had a very stressed look on my face. I tried to relax but still I had a furrowed brow and squinty eyes. Working on a computer much of the day, helping kids on computers that have a small screen and with my aging eyesight is a perfect recipe for a face full of tension. Actually, it goes into the neck, shoulders and back, too. Unfortunately, for me that means migraines. Time for more breaks and lavender and peppermint essential oil. 

We now have specific times during the day that we have to go outside and move around. This is for my sake as well as for my kids. My daughter and I go on short runs up and down the road. Literally, up and down the road since there is not much flat ground around here. My son always wants to play soccer. If I play long enough I can wear him down just enough to get a goal or two. 

We are getting into this groove of Home Learning. We are doing our best and striving for excellence but not perfection. Excellence can look differently every day. At the same time, the entire Covid situation is already unreasonable and perfection would be that last straw. So, day by day we look for the little successes and keep going the best we are able.

(Originally published in the September 10, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)