Keep the Faith Parents
You’ve got this
Introduction
It’s been several months now since the world that we once knew completely changed. Now the pandemic is beginning to rage once again. It seems like we are at a darker place compared to when covid-19 started.
Parents everywhere are beginning to wonder if the current state that their child is in will ever stop. They attend virtual school. Then schools opened for in person learning. As quickly as they reopened, they closed again. Students and teachers who attended these schools now must isolate at home.
It is like a see-saw that goes up, then down, up and down.
Parents really are not liking what the unsteadiness is doing to their child’s education. They are angry because their child’s opportunity to learn has been stolen. They fill as though their life as a child has been held in captivity. It is really hard for moms and dads to contain their emotions about all the disruptions that have been impacting their child.
The purpose of this article is to encourage parents.
Put Your Feelings Aside
“You have little power over what’s not yours”. -Zimbabwean Proverb
Parents have no control over the inconsistencies in their child’s educational experience because of the coronavirus. What they do have control over is doing their part to slow the spread of the virus by adhering to safety guidelines and making sure that their family does the same.
We all understand the complete list of emotions parents encounter minute after minute, hour after hour, and day after day. We get it. However, there is something very important that parents must do during this time of uncertainty. They must control their powerful feelings so that anger, stress, anxiety, and depression do not overtake them. The best way to do that is to embrace these few realities.
- If all parents and other members of society unite by wearing masks, social distancing, and practicing good hygiene, the spread of the virus will slow.
- It is a matter of time before a safe vaccine will be approved and used to combat the pandemic.
- The current circumstances related to educational disruptions and so much more will not last forever.
- A happier tomorrow is on the horizon.
While their emotions are well-managed, parents must keep their finger on the educational pulse to remain informed about their child’s learning experience.
Know What’s Going On With Your Child’s Education
Regardless of the way that children are receiving their education these days, parents must remain determined to partner with their child’s teachers and other educators who work with them. This means that parents need to remain accessible to educators so that mutual levels of communications take place.
Parents and educators must function as partners, even during the pandemic. They must work together to ensure that the support that is needed is provided by the teacher and reinforced in the home.
This is what family engagement is all about. The students of actively engaged parents experience higher levels of school success.
Just Keep it Moving
Despite the pandemic, parents must remain focused on making sure that their child has unparalleled learning experiences. This will happen if they monitor their child’s academic performance.
Parents should remain informed on the grades in all of their classes. They should supervise the time that their child spends on classwork if they participate in virtual activities. Homework time should also be well-managed.
There is something extremely critical for parents to remember. The life of their child should not be put on hold because of the deviations and inconsistencies in the delivery of instruction that need to happen in an effort to maintain safety. Parents must lead the charge in their child’s life to make sure that they continue to grow and be challenged educationally.
Conclusion
The pandemic has caused the process of education to fluctuate and become inconsistently inconsistent. While it is natural for parents to experience different emotions because of these changes, they must manage their feelings. The best way for this to happen is for them to stay involved in their child’s education so that they remain actively engaged. When a parent continues to ensure that their child remains focused on their learning, educational success follows.
My virtual library is filled with a lot of stories that empower parents in the area of family engagement in education. If you enjoyed the story that you just finished, I invite you to read the following ones. Also, visit my profile at Dmauricev.medium.com for a greater selection of articles.
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Dr. Deborah M. Vereen is a retired Teacher and School Administrator. Her website is www.Drdeborahmvereen.com and her YouTube Channel is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS1DPhBeA29UlybU9jzDkdQ.
