Childhood goes fast. We hear this all the time. As I face five weeks (at least) of leading my twin second-graders in remote learning, I have a feeling time will go slowly.
Like really slowly.
But if a magic fairy came down and asked me if I want my daughters’ childhood to slow down, I’d respond with an emphatic YES. If there’s a gift from COVID, it is this — childhood on slow-mo.
In a giant bowl of pandemic soup, this is something good to hang onto right now.
I don’t immediately jump to the positive stuff. My thought process goes something like this:
- How the heck am I going to get any work done with the girls home? This is going to kill me. (Head banging against the wall.)
- Okay, Sandra. Be thankful for a flexible work schedule.
- This is temporary. You can do this.
- Maybe a gift in all of this is more time with Sydney and Riley. Second grade only happens once.
I can’t change the circumstances, but I can choose how they impact me. I have four strategies that help me:
1. Think in small chunks of time
I’m only going to focus on the next five weeks. I can do five weeks. Heck, we’ve all done about six months of pandemic life so far. We’ve got this. I don't want to waste time worrying about something I can't control.
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2. Focus on what’s good
A new school year. A new grade. New friends to be made. A new teacher to meet. And who doesn’t love new backpacks or new school supplies? These are all exciting things about a school year that haven’t changed, even during pandemic times. I remind myself to keep the excitement of a new school year up — for the sake of our kids.
3. Tweaking my own habits
My husband and I had our nights of binge-watching Netflix and snacking, and staying up too late this summer. But back-to-school means he and I — not just the kids! — need to get back to a better routine. I’m going to start my day at 5:30 a.m. to get a power hour in before the house is buzzing with activity. I don’t always love getting up this early, but I know every day is better when I get an hour to myself first.
4. Getting the kids ready for 'school'
We are acclimating the girls for going back to school, even if school is at home. They are putting their clothes out the night before and going to sleep earlier. We gave them their own whiteboard checklists to get ready in the morning, so they can take ownership of their day, and I can sound less like a nag. (Bonus: This also helps them practice their writing and organizational skills.)
Family takes center stage
The pandemic won’t always be center stage and I don’t want to make it center stage in our daughters’ lives. We choose family as our center stage.
So that means we are getting excited about this school year, just like any other year. I’m going to do my best to keep my sense of humor, take it one day at a time, and be grateful for the opportunity to spend more time with my daughters.
 | Sandra Bilbray is a nationally published writer, positive human, and publisher of Macaroni Kid Asheville, N.C. She lives in Asheville with her husband, twin girls, and two dogs. Email Sandra at SandraB@MacaroniKid.com |
