In these past few months, everyone has an opinion, Popular or not. They range from conspiracy theories that make as much sense as Bigfoot (who my father just told me wants to be called by his real name, Darryl. He watches too much tv.) to political thoughts that border on insanity to average "it could maybe be this way, right?" It's exhausting and neverending.
So why have I asked you here today? To share my opinion, of course. My point of view if that makes you continue to read and not click off the browser right now. An IDEA if that sits any better with you.
What if...just imagine with me...that children don't NEED to go back to school right now. Of course, they need learning. I don't have completely irrational thoughts!
I have seen lots of social media posts about how much children need to go back to school and that their mental health depends on it. I've seen it argued that they have to have their sports, their extracurriculars, their friends. I've even seen parents arguing that they would rather risk their child getting Covid rather than keeping them out of school another day.
I especially don't get that line of thinking.
And before you click off this because "how dare she talk? She isn't even a parent...", I've listened to all the other opinions, give me a chance. Please.
You, the parent, are the number 1 person in those children's lives save for God. You. You are the one that has cared for every fever, every skinned knee, every hurt feeling, every misunderstanding, every slammed door, every first day of everything. You. And you are the one that guides their learning and their thinking. You. You are the "north star", their guide.
Further, when it is said that your child's mental health will be fixed by time with friends and school activities, I fear that your child isn't getting everything they need.
Now I'm not one to argue that time with friends and outside activities aren't necessary. I'm itching to get back to life as I knew it. And, yeah, I've had some VERY down days and cried a lot of tears because the extrovert in me is losing it a little bit.
And please don't think I am making light of mental health. As someone who has dealt with mild anxiety and has dealt with mental health issues within the confines of my most loved people, it is OKAY, even GREAT, even NECESSARY sometimes to seek professional help. There is absolutely no shame in that. The Lord gives us strength AND He gave us the ability to call out for wisdom and help when we face something we can't overcome. I would never tell an alcholic not to seek treatment and I would NEVER tell someone struggling with mental health to shy away from a doctor or counselor.
But, what if...and stick with me, I'm almost done...What if you helped your children through this time? What if you helped them see that all of those things they are missing aren't necessaties, but luxuries? Because essentially, they are.
Kids today have literally everything handed to them. Some work for it, but most will get it because it's 2020 and that's the way the world is. Kids don't have to claw and fight. Their parents will do it for them. What if we work with them? What if you re-teach them some things?
As a 4th grader, I was homeschooled. My brother was in 1st grade. I remember that year vividly. My grandma taught us. We'd be dropped off there on my dad's way to work and picked up on the way back or grandma would take us home. We spent the day working on school things, but we also spent the day doing "home ec". One day would be an entirely baking day. Where did I get my love for baking? Started in 4th grade. One day we'd help clean or do things in the garden with grandpa. One day we'd take a field trip. I learned a lot about life and households that year. I haven't forgotten those things, but I have NO idea what lessons in the books were taught.
Kids today have cell phones, tv's, computers, video games - just about every way possible to keep in touch with others. They might want to be with their friends, but they've been "with" their friends since this began.
Somewhere "wants" became the norm. Now they are "needs".
Stop and re-examine the two. And, to take it one step further and to the aggravation of many, I'm sure...Does your child "want" to become sick with Covid because they desperately had a "need" to socialize?
2020 will go down in the history books, I'm sure. But it doesn't have to be for everything that was lost. It could down for everything that was gained. Distractions and activities have stolen precious moments from our families. Even things for the "betterment of my child" have stolen important learning moments from you, the parent. You were given to them. They to you.
Don't let 2020 and society steal anymore from you.
Take it. Leave it. Be mad at me. It's okay. This is how I feel. And when I can't get a thought to leave me alone, I blog it. End of story.
(This post is in NO way in express support for homeschooling. For many, that is a viable, workable option. For many, it isn't. I don't really care if which route you choose.)
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