The new (almost) normal
The weeks seem to go by so fast! Children, parents and certainly staff are all very busy. In all this busyness though it feels to me like there has been a slight shift.
People generally are stressed and worried about their job security, the economy, schools reopening and and and — but in all of that I have a sense that the stress of the new situation has now settled somewhat into the new (almost) normal.
We have settled into being home, balancing work, children, partners and housework. Shock and panic have maybe crossed over into acceptance and action. Parents have been more involved with their children who are no longer at pre-arranged activities all morning and most of the afternoon.
Children are seeing their parents and having them in the vicinity more than ever and there is a togetherness that is there in spite of our (and our children's) frustration, fear, anger, stress and boredom.
It was summed up for me this week by a dad in one of our classes.
Our Grade R children and parents have had a wonderful time drawing, baking, experimenting and planting together. Each child chose an activity — which some have already and others will still share with their class. It's an activity they enjoyed and felt comfortable 'teaching' their peers. This was obviously decided on and executed with the help of their parents.
This dad — who is home with 3 young children, working, without domestic help and a working spouse — said it was so sweet watching the children that he has, "blocked out my calendar in that time slot until it's all done." This busy dad wants to be there to watch each child have their turn!
This level of engagement, collaboration and togetherness is the core of what will get us through COVID19. It is the sustenance that will fuel our hope that while this time isn't nice or easy, there is and can and will continue to be good things to experience every day.
As parents we get to be part of our children's education in a way we've never had. As educators we have provided opportunities that we may not have chosen in a classroom. All of us have become a little more creative and maybe even more present.
I believe that when school does go back (as it will) we will all have developed skills — children and adults alike — that we never knew we had.
“Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way”