10 Things Staying Home Taught Me About Going to School

I do not homeschool for a reason. For many reasons. Let me be clear, the paradigm we are in now is not homeschooling. We are all just trying to function without going feral. We’ve had two weeks of ramen and screen time around here, so you can send me my blue ribbon for parenting any day now. I’m reminding my friends and myself to be easy on ourselves. This is not the time to foster productivity.

We cannot effectively teach, work, parent, grieve, cope, love, and function at full force. Our bodies and psyches are not designed for this as we are all thrust into primal survival mode. (Sidebar: We are getting a tiny taste of what life is like for families who live in a perpetual state of toxic stress and trauma. Let us move forward to wear this lens in every decision we make in every facet of life.) We are taxing ourselves and half-assing it all. In my house, the internet is stretched as much as we are. I struggle balancing some semblance of a schedule with being generous with free time. I’m a Virgo so I thrive in structure and organization. I am not proud to admit that I am the resident Mommie Dearest around here as I stumble on piles of sneakers and basketballs. And the dishes. My god, the dishes. Four of us cook and graze on different schedules, and only one of us cleans.

I’m complaining. See, I am failing at all displays of grace. We are safe at home. We want for nothing. Spring is showing off with vivid colors dancing right out our window. I’m going to try to settle in to ensure my sons exercise their bodies and brains. Their video gaming reflexes are well exercised so there’s that. We have a loose schedule. Apparently no one craves structure and learning as I do. We have months ahead of us so I hope we find our rhythm soon.

In these weeks at home, I have realized a few things about school worth noting.

1. School should start later.

2. Face to face is better than facing a screen.

3. Social emotional learning is everything.

4. The arts should be part of core curriculum for everyone.

5. Schools shoulder too many burdens of society.

6. Teachers do so much more than teach.

7. Standardized testing does not support learning.

8. Unstructured time is paramount to sparking creativity.

9. Physical movement must be a part of the school day for every age.

10. Educators must be held in high esteem and paid more.

Hang in there, friends. Be gentle with yourself. And thank your teachers.