Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Peak to Peak. How are you preparing for school this year? Most of our normal routines and nervous excitement is replaced with a lot of questions. Who will be home and help the kids with schoolwork (especially with younger kids)? How can a parent work from home efficiently when the kids are home? Is there childcare? Can I afford childcare? How will my kids connect with their teachers when they only see them on a screen? I never thought I would ever be asking that last question. I can guarantee you that teachers are wondering the same thing. 

Teachers did not go into education to look at a screen and teach through a computer. There are not many people in education who would choose to do this in normal circumstances. I have heard over and over again in district meetings and teacher meetings to have great empathy for families as they navigate through all this. I implore parents to also have great empathy for teachers and administrators. Virtual teaching and learning can be mentally exhausting for all involved.  

I know schools will soon be putting out schedules and this will be more organized than last spring. I also know that I have no clue how this is going to play out at my house, with my kids, with jobs, and with family dynamics and needs. 

In general, I like to have a plan. At night I often talk to my kids about the next day we so wake up ready to do what we need to do. I like plans. If we are going to Costco there is no stopping for ice cream if it is not in the plan. Okay, I am exaggerating about the ice cream part. However, I do catch myself thinking that ice cream is not on my list. Being a parent has taught me to not say that out loud. 

So, this not knowing everything that is happening with school is unnerving for me. In the whole scope of life, it probably is a good thing for me to deal with. I have had to let go of some of the control I like to have and show my kids that I can deal with it gracefully. In the words of one of my daughter’s favorite Disney characters, “Let it go!” This will come together.

I hope we can all find ways to show grace in the midst of the situation we are in. The word grace comes from the Latin gratus, meaning pleasing and thankful. One of the English dictionaries I have defines grace as courteous goodwill. As we all struggle to figure this out let us have grace in our speech, our emails and in our actions. 

(Originally published in the August 20, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)