I thought I would keep up on posting through the summer and then it didn’t happen.

Maybe it’s just me, but social media across the board has been hard for me lately. I’ve found myself getting frustrated or exhausted and its become a space I don’t like to visit. It’s transformed into a polarizing environment and it doesn’t seem to matter what side of the line you choose to stand with, you’re harshly criticized. Every thread seems to end in an argument with name calling. And everyone sits behind their computer screens claiming tolerance while simultaneously flinging mud at anyone who disagrees with them. No one walks away clean.

It was easier to check out for a while, so I did. I focused on my family and we’re all better off for it.

We had an amazing summer. We had plenty of things cancelled (like most people) and yet we moved forward with plans and it ended up better than I could have ever imagined. I didn’t want it to end. (which I never thought I would say seeing as though our kids have been out of school since the first week of March.)

And now we’re moving on to the next chapter of the infamous year of 2020. This week we start school – remotely. We were originally given the option of whether we wanted remote, modified, or in person. Those options were then rescinded and it was announced that everyone would be starting remotely. The hope is that within the first quarter we’ll move to modified and further down the road it will be in person. It’s not ideal – none of the options were. I believe our family is in the best situation in a worst case scenario: My work is flexible and I can schedule my day to be present and helpful for my kids during school hours. (Although having 5 kids at home trying to do school may not be ideal!) And yet I worry for those kids in homes without support. This health crisis is making their difficult situations even harder.

My kids long to be in the classroom and yet all have been moderately positive about staying home. I say moderately because Hallie wants more than anything to walk into her first year of high school on Tuesday. She wants to be surrounded by her friends in a flurry of excitement of all that high school has to offer.

Unfortunately, that will just have to happen at a later date. Luckily, Hallie isn’t the moping type so her disappointment hasn’t been overly vocal. I think everyone, including me, is anxious to see how this remote learning is going to play out. Our trial run with the district last quarter was a disaster and fingers crossed they’ve learned a thing or two and ironed out a few kinks. We opted to stay within our district while many we know have chosen other, non-public options. The more parents I talk to, the more I realize everyone just wants the best for their kids and that looks different for every family. What works for our family, may not work for our friends’ family – or anyone else’s for that matter.

We like to call this the year of change and growth. I can’t even begin to predict what two months down the road will look like. All I know is this week we’re starting school online. That’s it. This may be a temporary situation or it may be a temporarily longer situation! 🙂

To all those taking on the roll of teacher or moderator this quarter, may the odds be ever in your favor. (Be honest, can you ever say that without an accent??!)