Are the kids going back to school?

Are the kids going back to school? This seems to be the question of the year and I literally feel like I am sitting on the hot seat when someone asks me. Sometimes I just simply answer “I’m not sure yet” and avoid getting the stank eye lol. I personally feel that I see both aspects because I am a working mama but I am also able to work from home

(I’m not working from home right now because I just started this job but I will be in a couple of weeks, God willing)

When the school sent me the survey for the kids I knew I had to talk to Noah about how he felt only because he is the oldest and this will be his first year in middle school. He firmly answered “I want to go to school” my heart kinda skipped a beat because I was for sure he would say that he wanted the stay home. He said the only reason he wants to go back is because he feels he won’t really learn what he needs to learn at home. This is very true he needs the structure and he thrives in a classroom setting. When they did the online thing before summer vacation he was struggling and he was so frustrated with himself. 

I trust Noah and I have explained to him just how bad this virus is. He knows he needs to practice good hygiene and he practices social distancing. Now I didn’t bother to talk to Kason or Kami (2nd grader) only because they kinda don’t have an option only because they are so young and I don’t think they grasp just how fast it can turn ugly. Especially Kamilah she will be going to pre-k. Now when they are with me out and about I make sure they have their mask at all times and offer them hand sanitizer CONSTANTLY! I can’t go to school with them and ensure they are doing everything they have to so that’s why I decided to keep them both home.

Here in Texas, all kids will be doing virtual learning for the first 4 weeks of school. This will allow the schools to fully prepared themselves in case they are granted permission to open their doors. But they aren’t sure if they will or won’t so that’s still up in the air. After watching the news on Georgia I kinda have changed my mind about Noah going back to school. Let us be honest here a lot of people are not taking this virus seriously and it shows. Although I want Noah to have the best chance at learning the material I refuse to put his health in danger. 

I know it will be hard to keep three kids on top of their school work but if I have to do it to keep them healthy, then I will. I still have a few weeks to fully weight out the pros and cons with Noah, and whatever we decide I know he will be okay and that he will do great in school. 

Now I know a lot of people feel like they are entitled to give their opinions on how bad of a parent someone is if they chose to let their child go back to school. Please stop! Not every parent is able to stay at home or to work from home. Some parents are single parents and are the sole provider for their families. You don’t know that child’s learning needs or style. We should be supporting one another because this is no easy decision.

You’re the parent and you know what works best for your little ones and family.