Day 5...social distancing! After day 3 I realized we live in a world with amazing technology and resources at our fingertips that when I was a child did not exist! Honestly...I spend so much time complaining about these technologies...but guess what...now is your time to shine technology...and that you have!!
Now I will tell you I am not very talented when it comes to technology...however, by Thursday morning, enough was enough and I was finding a way to see my classroom kids if it was the only thing I did that day! Finally I figured out Zoom, had a parent willing to try it with me and BAM...the classroom kids were on the screen talking like we were at school. There are no words to describe how precious it was to just sit and watch them interact with each other through the safety of a computer screen!
Well...with that I was on fire...there was no stopping me now!
So I would have told you we could have made it two weeks without going on a supply run...sadly on day 4 I started to panic a little. I almost hate to admit it. While we had food, things were running low...I thought it best to not wait until items like toilet paper were gone before I decided to get them, knowing they were hard to come by. If you know Joshua, then you know the value of milk...so to the store house we went! However, I had a plan...I was leaving with a bike...and I plan to soon become the person you always wave to on her bike when you drive through Mathews! It was my brilliant solution to social distancing! Day 4 became a win for everyone, and I even found toilet paper...the same brand we usually use! Imagine that!! I finished out my night riding all over the island and reading a story to my classroom kids on Zoom.
Day 5 sleeping in is apparently something I do not do well these days...while I have always wished to me a morning person...it has yet to happen, maybe this is the start of it?! In an attempt to keep life as normal as possible I met with my classroom on Zoom, we did our good morning song, our wish well, and celebration board. Of course I would tell you this was for the children, but lets be honest...I think I needed it more than them.
Using this same energy, I remembered what makes children so amazing. They can be so resilient, able to pick up right where they left off. There is so much about a child that is just profound to me...it never ceases to amaze me that when a child shows me what looks to me like a paper of scribble, it is in fact to them a masterpiece. What I would give to have that child like spirit...with that thought...I decided I could conquer my fears of being recorded and started a YouTube Channel. Seriously...on a list of "What is something you might do next week" that would not of been on the top 5000 things! Honestly I probably would have put that on the anti bucket list!!
Here's the thing...recently I told one of my Conscious Discipline family members that I hate pictures of me because I am not photogenic. She told me the photo truly is what it is, a picture of me, my face, who I am. Here was the amazing part...she said, that face is loved. My family, my classroom, my friends, when they see my picture, my face, they see love, a face that is loved. So with that I was all in...the wheels are spinning and the videos are coming.
Then I had one more issue pressing on my heart...the struggling parent that has now become the teacher as well. I have seen so many memes from educators basically mocking parents...while I do or would like to think they are in good humor...at the end of the day, it is not helpful! I had to reach out to my struggling parents and let them know...You are not your child's teacher...and it is ok!
"This has been on my heart for a few days now. I am an educator...I love to teach and spend my days with children. I’m going to let you in on a little secret, a hard truth even...I genuinely struggle to teach my own children.
We once homeschooled and while I loved it...the truth is, my kids could not love me as a mom and respect me as a teacher at the same time. It was a very hard balance for them and even more so for me.
I once struggled with the guilt of this, and honestly sometimes still do...how can I give 8+ hours a day to my classroom...and find my self frustrated in less the. 20min with my own kids in my own home?
The truth is...it’s hard, it’s frustrating, and it’s ok.
If you're that parent struggling to find balance, or even patience...during this “homeschool” time you're not alone.
The struggle is real...and it ok...one day we will look back and see all that we have learned from these crazy times...but for now, focus on the positive! Make the memories they will certainly last way longer than any virus or trying times we face."
With every fiber of my being I believe a child learns through play...sure this play turns into hands on and action as they grow older...but it is still through the process not the product and trial and error that teaches a child. I remember the first time Cameron took apart his playstation remote...I was furious...filled him full of threats. Then he put it all back together...he has continued to take things apart and put them together...I promise he learned more through this than any text book ever taught him.
I said all of this to say...no matter the age, no matter the skill set, let them explore, let them mess up, make messes, teach them, show them, play with them, it's ok. Remember the process is what teaches...not the finishing product!
I finished my night with a 9 mile bike ride and a movie with my family...and more importantly the secret to surviving social distancing week 1...Stay busy...and find a way to connect!! They are out there, you just have to do what works for you. Lastly...step outside of your box...there is not a person in this world that loves the comfort of her built up walls more then me...I am here to tell you, step outside of your comfort zone...even if it is just a toe!
P.S. Try zoom with the people you love the most or those you miss, everyone being able to see each other and talk to each other brings a feeling of comfort that you didn't even know you needed!!
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