Hope in Isolation
I am not going to pretend for a minute that I have this whole next season sorted out, or even that in my head things are all lined up and neatly laid out in timetables and boxes. In fact, to be brutally honest, the thought of the next 12 weeks at home with my kids, juggling home life, work, teaching a Year 6, who is hoping to keep her education worthy of good SAT’s assessments, whatever those will look like and a younger daughter whose dyslexia learning challenges me regularly, has filled me with dread and brought me to the brink of tears (Okay, I lied, I have cried ).
However, as I have stopped to think, taken a huge breath and then a few more, I realize that actually, this is do-able. I can do this; we can do this! This next season is not how life will be forever. So, I am looking at it differently, it’s about getting back to basics – ground zero I believe they say.
What is most important right now? What are my values – our values, the things that are the core to our family and what will get us through this shaky time together - love, patience, and kindness things like that? At the end of the day does it matter that my daughter can’t recite the 8 timetables backward? No, but it does matter that right now she knows that she is loved and safe. My children needs to know that regardless of what happens tomorrow or the next day they have a family who will be there for them unconditionally.
My children aren’t going to learn anything if they are worried and full of fear. If I am stressed out and worried, then they are going to be. Take a step back, in order to get through this, our kids need to know that they are loved and that even though we can’t promise them the certainty of what tomorrow will look like we can reassure them that we are with them and we are walking this journey together as a family not matter what happens.
In years to come, this is going to be something we all talk about. Our grandchildren will learn about 2020 – it will be written in our history books. I read a quote this week “ Children are going to remember how their families felt during the coronavirus more than anything specific about the virus” Let’s be deliberate to make sure that those memories are ones that are filled with laughter and fun and happy home schooling memories. There will be times to practice those dreaded timetables but as we know, laughter and exercise are just as vital to our well-being.
Am I a teacher - no but do I need to be one - no. Routines are important but the word that has got me through hard times before is that word flexible – a flexible routine – give it your best shot! Some days will work great and other days won’t go exactly to plan but that’s okay. Each day is a new day. Introduce new habits like starting every morning with everyone saying something that they are thankful for – a new thing every day. It’s a fact you can’t be grumpy when you are being thankful.
One of my favourite authors, Rob Parsons, talks about the importance of creating family traditions that are unique to your family. Whatever your children’s ages and your family dynamic start making memories. Maybe it’s making Friday nights “pizza night” or “board game night” or maybe it’s that Wednesday mornings are “pancake morning”. Let’s be real I can’t use the school run as an excuse for no time right now. Think of things you like to do as a family and make them yours. Your children will be able to say “In our family we…...”
Education is so important, I am not negating that, but we all know that there is more to life than just good exam results. Now is a great time to think through life choices and embrace the change that we did not ask for head-on. Let’s press the reset button and be present in this next season - just that alone will benefit our children greatly. Once you choose hope, so much becomes possible!