Are you feeling the stress of trying to decide whether or not to send your kid back to school this year?
Right now, EVERY parent is trying to learn all we can to try to make the best, most informed decision about our kiddos returning to the classroom this fall.
And although I will never tell you which is the best decision for your family (because every family and every child is different), I do want to help you make an informed decision for your child.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when considering whether or not to send your kiddo back into the classroom this fall:
If your child has health concerns or is immuno compromised, it’s ok to keep them home.
Lot’s of parents are concerned about having their kids school from home, because last year was a crazy night mare of learning for most of us. Let me ease some of those fears, because this year will likely be much different (and much better).
Teachers are taking the entire summer to create plans and fully prepare for a smooth transition of home learning for their students. They know how hard it was last year, and were thrown into a very complex and confusing situation, and did the best with what they had. This year is bound to be much better than last year!
If you are a working parent, and need to send your kiddo to school, it’s totally ok!
One of the biggest issue most parents faced with the ending of last school year was desperately trying to figure out how to work from home and how to help your child or student complete all of their learning and work. This created the perfect storm of a stuck at home disaster!
How are you supposed to give your full time attention to your work and your employer if you are supposed to be the at home teacher to your kids? (trick question, it ain’t happenin)
If you know you need to spend your time and attention to your employer, and you know you need to send your kids to school because that is what’s best for your family, that’s ok! Because maybe paying the bills is just as important! :D
But seriously, you should never feel any shame for deciding to send your kiddo back to the classroom. Schools are going to have policies in place to completely protect your child from the spread of anything!
If your kiddo needs the social interaction
If your kiddo is anything like mine, they NEED the social interaction. This need for communication with others is just as important for some students as the need to isolate is for others.
My child is a beautiful social butterfly that loves on every person she meets. She thrives with playing and socializing with other kids. Even though I don’t understand her need for others (as an introvert myself), I understand that that is a need in her life.
If you have noticed your child has greatly suffered with their mental health from being too isolated from friends, and other kids, then it’s ok to send your child back to the classroom.
MOST Important to consider
There is one more really important part that you will need to consider. Even if you choose to send your child back to the classroom this year, it is very likely that, at some point in time, the school will close down for at least 2 weeks.
Once schools open back up, it will only be a matter of time before someone associated with the school becomes sick. With the current CDC guidelines, when a positive case has been confirmed, the entire center must close for 14 days. This is currently happening for youth centers, teen centers, and child care centers.
So when there is a single positive test result from anyone associated with the school, the entire school will be closed down for a minimum of 14 days.
This means that You will have to have some plan in place for your student or teen to learn from home, and school from home, for at least 2 weeks.
OPTION 3
If you do not like having to choose between schooling from home and schooling in the classroom, there is a third option!
Homeschooling!
Homeschooling is an alternative option that many parents are choosing for many reasons. You can choose between many different homeschool curriculum and homeschool groups.
I am currently choosing this option for my kids, and the best part about this is that we do school on our schedule, and NOT based on a schools schedule. That means that if I don’t feel like doing any schoolwork with my kids today, I don’t have to. If I have a big work project that I need to work on, I don’t have to give my attention to my kids completing their work.
I am not claiming to be a homeschool mom expert, but I do enjoy the flexibility and freedom that we have. So I believe it can definitely be an option you could consider.
What are your thoughts? Have you already decided which option is best for your kids or your family? Reply below to let me know!
My name is Rachael and I have been a private tutor for over 12 years. I earned my undergraduate degree in 2 and a half years and earned my graduate degree by age 22. I have tutored dozens of high school students, college students, and graduate students. I offer my resources and experience to help parents learn how to best help their teen or child that is struggling in school.
