The neighbors have accused us of being "super parents, over achievers". We like to remind them that our time with the kids is limited, so each custody is a sprint, not a marathon. This week is no different.
I like to think I have my sh!t together. Because it's a sprint, I can usually balance my day job, my part time job, my officiating, the dog, and the family fairly well. I mean it took lots of times before I didn't cry at least once a custody from exhaustion, feeling of inadequacy, etc. but it did come around.
Until this week.
I have not grown up with the kids and their school progression of technology nor their connections with their teachers. We only have them 1 school week a month and sometimes that week is a vacation or shortened due to school closures. We keep up with their schooling the best we can to be encouraging, support expectations, make sure they know we care about their learning. But honestly, when it comes to the daily grind, their mom handles most of it. She has them for the majority of their school days and she works in the building.
Until this week.
It's our time this week. I have 2 college degrees, and at least a couple of certifications in education and a crap ton of experience working with children. Yet yesterday, Bminor didn't get his work done right and B had to sit with him after dinner to catch up.
I felt like I had failed him. And his dad. And his mom. I didn't do my share. I also didn't get a chance to completely grasp how I'm going to teach my class tomorrow virtually. Or spend much time on my job. Or do anything else I would usually get done while they are in school.
We adjusted. I put all of my work on hold for the morning to do more direct supervision. I think we did better, but then more assignments came in and I have no idea if they are mandatory or just there to be helpful if needed. I am lucky that I am in a position to put everything on hold until the kids finish their work. Buh-bye my normal.
B said he'd take a vacation day to manage tomorrow because he still has to report to his office. Trying not to burn his vacation days, but he's trying to support me and his kids and full disclosure: I had an epic meltdown this morning, and you know, last night too. Not break stuff meltdown, just tears of being overwhelmed like I can't keep all the balls in the air or all the plates spinning.
I think the teachers are getting their asses kicked and would rather be at school. I think the kids are confused as hell and would rather be at school. I would rather meet my class in person and continue my road warrior ways for reffing and be working my schedule.
We all would rather have life on the normal trajectory.
But it's not.
Until then, I'll try to be a bit kinder to myself and the kids and Bowie and my students and my coworkers. Because this ISN'T normal. We can't pretend that life is normal except we are all socially distancing and not shaking hands or high fiving or trying to breath near each other.
I hope and pray that we are all over reacting. In 4 weeks I hope we look back at this and think man, that was stupid and unnecessary. And if we get to that point, all the stupid and unnecessary will have paid off.
By the time they go back to their mom's I might have this figured out.
For those keeping score, Covid-19 Day 2: Virtually learning 2, Shawna 1.
Go wash yer hands and stay the f@ck home.
I like to think I have my sh!t together. Because it's a sprint, I can usually balance my day job, my part time job, my officiating, the dog, and the family fairly well. I mean it took lots of times before I didn't cry at least once a custody from exhaustion, feeling of inadequacy, etc. but it did come around.
Until this week.
I have not grown up with the kids and their school progression of technology nor their connections with their teachers. We only have them 1 school week a month and sometimes that week is a vacation or shortened due to school closures. We keep up with their schooling the best we can to be encouraging, support expectations, make sure they know we care about their learning. But honestly, when it comes to the daily grind, their mom handles most of it. She has them for the majority of their school days and she works in the building.
Until this week.
It's our time this week. I have 2 college degrees, and at least a couple of certifications in education and a crap ton of experience working with children. Yet yesterday, Bminor didn't get his work done right and B had to sit with him after dinner to catch up.
I felt like I had failed him. And his dad. And his mom. I didn't do my share. I also didn't get a chance to completely grasp how I'm going to teach my class tomorrow virtually. Or spend much time on my job. Or do anything else I would usually get done while they are in school.
We adjusted. I put all of my work on hold for the morning to do more direct supervision. I think we did better, but then more assignments came in and I have no idea if they are mandatory or just there to be helpful if needed. I am lucky that I am in a position to put everything on hold until the kids finish their work. Buh-bye my normal.
B said he'd take a vacation day to manage tomorrow because he still has to report to his office. Trying not to burn his vacation days, but he's trying to support me and his kids and full disclosure: I had an epic meltdown this morning, and you know, last night too. Not break stuff meltdown, just tears of being overwhelmed like I can't keep all the balls in the air or all the plates spinning.
I think the teachers are getting their asses kicked and would rather be at school. I think the kids are confused as hell and would rather be at school. I would rather meet my class in person and continue my road warrior ways for reffing and be working my schedule.
We all would rather have life on the normal trajectory.
But it's not.
Until then, I'll try to be a bit kinder to myself and the kids and Bowie and my students and my coworkers. Because this ISN'T normal. We can't pretend that life is normal except we are all socially distancing and not shaking hands or high fiving or trying to breath near each other.
I hope and pray that we are all over reacting. In 4 weeks I hope we look back at this and think man, that was stupid and unnecessary. And if we get to that point, all the stupid and unnecessary will have paid off.
By the time they go back to their mom's I might have this figured out.
For those keeping score, Covid-19 Day 2: Virtually learning 2, Shawna 1.
Go wash yer hands and stay the f@ck home.
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