Hello Neighbor!

Well, it’s that time of year.  Back-to-School for the kiddos!  Typically, we’d be writing about the fun (well, for the kids) of school-supply shopping, tips on getting everyone back to their schedules of early-to-bed/early-to-rise, we’d share some fun lunch ideas for packed lunches, and then we’d end with a celebratory sentence about the pure joy parents are feeling as they wave their kids off at the school bus and head back home to enjoy their first cup of coffee in solitude!   Well, not this year.  This is 2020, let’s not forget!

This year, unfortunately, is simply fraught with anxiety and stress – for both the parents and the kids.  And who knows what your particular situation may be – there are schools opening in-person, some are all virtual, some are a mix, some will of course open for a day and then who knows… go to all virtual the next?   It’s all up in the air.  Everyone has fingers and toes crossed, but no one really knows what the season will hold.

I just want to give a personal shout-out to all of the parents out there with school-aged kids.  This pandemic has been an incredibly stressful time for all, but I can’t tell you how lucky I feel that my children are now grown.  To think about having the kids at home for home schooling, worrying about their safety at school if they go in-person, dealing with working from home as parents to boot… it’s all beyond overwhelming.  Hats off to all of you!

I would also like to give a shout out to all the teachers and administrators as well.  The challenges they are facing in regards to decisions (I would not want to be the one having to do that for sure!), the concerns they must have for going back into the classroom, yet at the same time the challenges they have teaching virtually – it’s all too much.    Everyone is doing the very best they can with an absolutely overwhelming situation – so THANK YOU to everyone out there that is on the frontline of the education system!   You all rock!

And parents … HANG IN THERE!  You’ve got this! 😊
Be Well!
Laura

P.S. – if you think you may need some extra assistance this school year, check out our Burb Life blog from Back To Basics Learning.