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The Last Day
Today for many of us was very emotional. The last day of school, college or university. It has brought so many feelings to the surface for me as a parent of an almost 6 year old and as an ex primary teacher.
As we walked to school this morning, my son didn’t really understand the gravity of the situation. He was happy and joking with his friends in the playground waiting for the doors to open, and for that I am grateful. There are enough problems in this world today without our children feeling stress and worry.
The teachers looked sad. It was a difficult day for them. I know as a teacher that the bond you have with the children in your class is strong. For primary teachers you spend all day every day with the same 30 children. These are ‘your’ kids, you feel responsible for them on many levels. You plan for them individually, you spend your evenings and weekends planning the best ways to help them learn and develop. It must have been worrying to send them home today and not know when you’ll see them next, or how they will be coping with what is going on. School is such a huge part of a child’s life and they also feel a close connection to their teachers. For many children, they spend as much time with their teacher as they do with their parents. The children will miss their teachers. They will miss the routine, the friendships and the experience of school – even those children who don’t like school will find in time that they miss it!
To all the teachers out there – my heart goes out to you. Today must have been the most difficult day of your career.
Friendships are formed early in a school year and by now are firm. Unlike holiday times children are unable to have play dates, meet up in the park or other social venues or get together in any way. This will be very difficult as we as humans are generally social creatures. Children need each other, especially if, like my son, they are an only child and have no contact with other children at home. We have been talking about group video calls and using Facetime and skype to stay connected and to let the children have regular catch-ups. Have you thought about how to help your children stay connected with their friends?
What will happen now in the weeks and months ahead is unknown. This is new territory for everyone in the country, and around the world.
I work from home which normally is a great benefit as it allows me the freedom to be a mum and to pick and choose my own working hours to some extent, which suits the needs of our family. That will all change from Monday as my working schedule will have to adapt dramatically. While I don’t plan to home school in the sense of lessons from 9-3, I know that having a small person in the house all day, no matter what they are doing, will inhibit my work.
So I have made a plan.
My plan is - to not have a plan.
My plan is, to take each day as it comes and to see how things go. I have plenty of ideas of things to do and educational websites and resources I can use to beat the boredom but I am not going to beat myself up if we don’t achieve great things every day. Despite the fact that I am a qualified and experienced teacher, I know that the reality of being with our children 24/7 for potentially months on end will mean that all the best laid plans end up going out the window.
I am devastated that my son’s early life has been tainted by this virus, but we can turn this into a positive. We can, as parents, try not to put ourselves under additional pressure. We can take each day as it comes and try and make the most of the situation.
Today was the last day, but it is also the first day. The first day of something new, something we could not have known would happen. Something we will deal with the very best way we can.
We are winging it.
All of us.
Together.
Stay Safe,
Jane
