Things that aren’t fair:
A lot.
But for me, right now, hummus serving sizes.
When I look at my container of hummus, I see two servings. Some days, if I have more restraint, maybe three. Some days the container equals one serving. But never do I get 10 servings out of a little old hummus container, like the side of the container suggests.
I thought about this as I gorged a carrot through a half serving. Gone are the days of intermittent fasting. Online schooling has been stressful enough that I didn’t need to add “hunger” to my list of frustrations.
In years past, Summer is my least favorite season. Usually, I am constantly trying to find activities to keep my kids engaged so they are not wrestling each other. I always celebrated walking away from the bus stop on the first day of school knowing my summer job had been completed.
This summer, having not seen their friends for some time, the kids got to appreciate time with their friends again, which had been sorely missed. This summer wasn’t so bad after all.
But I do miss waving goodbye to the bus driver since we went to online school.
We started off on the right foot. Although I did add the extension to the dining room table to create more learning space, the kids have taken their online classes in separate places to be able to hear and focus on their teachers.
The dining room table is for homework review where the kids come to see me at MY special place. My now big dining room table. I can see online what their assignments are and if they have been completed. I follow this, why?
Because I have already heard my child complain, “But it’s not due until Sunday!” or “That will only take like 5 minutes!” While they spent their break time napping. Napping is the new elective for the asynchronous high school online learning plan.
We all expected some hiccups, and they’ve happened. Links haven’t worked, assignments won’t load. Getting in to zooms. Wi-Fi problems, on both ends. Two teachers lost their connection much to the amusement of the class. A zoom missed from missed scheduling. Harassment to complete homework BEFORE the last minute rolls around and the assignment is late. I’ve also taken the time to figure out the best way to support Declan in this new world.
I did set up his own special place to learn. He has the chair band, the fidget toys. The bouncy ball to lay on or bounce on while listening to a story. I even kept his trampoline in the room so he can jump a bit if he needs to.
In the spring, I was very hands on with Declan’s learning. This school year, I wanted him to be more independent with his learning and go with the flow of his class and teacher.
If I am not with him, his head is on his desk. Sitting alone, he is not listening and has no idea what the instructions are or even what the topic of discussion is. The class I sat with him and directed his attention to the screen and activity earned a “thank you for participating!” from the teacher. There have been tears, but honestly, if I hear one more teacher give the SAME zoom etiquette rules, I am likely to start crying too.
With Declan’s five zooms a day, while monitoring my irresponsible learners, my days have been shot.
Next week, Declan’s 1/1 aid will be joining him online in the classroom. She will also meet with him once a day to help him with his asynchronous work. He will begin all his supportive services. I realize this is another zoom, but ones I am hopeful he will enjoy as it is a 1/1 time with a familiar face. I am so hopeful for all these sessions.
The school year is still a work in progress. We’ve had some hiccups, but we expected those. I expected some tears, which we’ve also had. We are on day four, still trying to find a smooth groove and routine, and I think it will happen. We are just going to have to give this a bit more time to iron out the kinks. And hope that my waist size doesn’t expand TOO much during this process!
This post made me smile 🙂 But also, I can see your difficulties and I admire the way you are tackling them head-on. You have a beautiful family, and I wish you all the best with your home studies! Hopefully some day you’ll be able to wave to the bus driver again! 😄
I miss her so much! Haha…. Thank you! We’ll get this right yet!
I can relate to this completely. I have two kids and they have their reading tables in two different rooms so that they can listen carefully to their teachers. I can understand the efforts of teachers so far but I am not getting time for myself at all.
It takes so much supervision! The teachers were great sending out folders of assignments, white boards, supplies – but getting Declan set up with them and pay attention to participate takes time. It’s a lot more time than I had wanted to give up!
Absolutely, I agree with you on this.
I heard the Zoom system went down in the east and the midwest. It happened here to some people I know. Hopefully that is under control now.
When I was teaching – in a real classroom – our motto the first three days of school was “Get em here, get em fed, get em home” (as in to the right home, not left sleeping on the bus, etc. It was really about learning and surviving the routine and building some relationships.
Whether at in a classroom or virtual, the first week or two of school is a learning curve and if we would have let the kids, they would have napped at their desk. Actually, I believe some did. (Maybe a teacher or two did also. LOL.) We were all tired too.
Hopefully the desire to nap will wane and things will improve.
I’m glad that Declan’s services will begin next week.
It looks like you have a great system in place, Robyn. Hopefully the routine will all fall in place soon. Meanwhile, eat all the hummus you want! It’s better than the Dove chocolates I have become addicted to.
Hang in there.
Thank you! I agree – there is going to be a learning curve here like there is every year. This is just so new! I really think hummus should be more forgiving in its numbers. Who just stops at 2 tablespoons?!
I so feel for you Robyn my grandchildren go back to school next week and they’re really ready for it and so is there mum who’s now working from home. 😊
We are home for the first semester and then they will reevaluate if in school learning is possible. I really hope some kids can get some time in the classroom!
Forget the hummus, where’s the tequila? 😂😂😂
For a 30 minute “group” session today, Ben spent the first 15 minutes refusing to even sit down at the computer. He wound up actually engaged for 5 minutes and nearly tipped to meltdown mode. SOOO not worth it, IMO. We skipped 11:30 group and we’ll try again tomorrow.
I sure do miss that Glorious Little Yellow School Bus and that blessed driver!!
Carrots and hummus are better than poofs and chocolates! We’ll get through this the best we can. 💌💌
I know, I agree. Declan does “okay” completing an assignment – just the normal struggles and frustrations. But forget a virtual classroom. He hates it. There’s a lot of chatter. He’s not listening to a screen, not interacting with his teacher or his peers. It’s just not for him. I am hoping with the aid things go better. But you are right, doing whatever it takes to get through this the best we can!
Robyn, you are a superhero to your kids! That sounds like such an exhausting week but also sounds incredible how you were able to manage and juggle their individual needs.
I love your solar calculator trick. Haha. I don’t think that’s school on your daughter’s screen. 🤣
And I love that Declan and you do whatever it takes to get him to focus including his bouncing ball on his chair. I’m glad he and you are getting more services starting next week.
Congrats – one week down!!!
Good catch! That was one of the classes where the teacher lost her internet and the kids thought it was hilarious. They were having the whole “How long do we have to wait before we can just “leave” the classroom?” discussion. I don’t think she’s picked up on the “solar” part of her calculator. She’s in the brooding stage of life and hopefully, the calculator will bring a little sunshine to her room again. 🙂 Thank you! It’s been a tough one – tougher than I thought it would be. I’m realizing Declan is not a zoom learner and not really sure how to help the situation. I am hopeful the support services can help us, him – everything. Fingers crossed!
The brooding teenager years are always fun! 🤣 I’m sorry that it’s been a tough start to home learning. But it sounds like you have a plan and that the kids are in good hands with you. I hope you are able to get some time to rest too. Also hoping the additional supports can help Declan once they are on boarded. Fingers crossed! 🤞🏻
You complete me 😀 😀 😀 That had me cracking up! I’m sorry it’s so rough. I’d be crying too, stress eating is totally allowed. This is preparing your kids for the business conference room later in life. Declan in that chair reminds me of every coworker I’ve ever seen at a meeting.
That was a good meme – made me laugh too! 🙂 That is true – virtual learning is kind of like a business meeting. Good experience!
You have my sympathies, Robyn. It must be so tough having three students in the same house to monitor and organise. I love the photos of Declan on his bouncy ball in various positions – that made me smile, and I completely get the ‘whatever it takes’ approach, especially in these weird times. The trouble is, although they’re learning again it’s still a situation that’s completely removed from their ‘norm’, and it’s bound to be worse for kids like Declan. What they really need is to get back to normal, and I hope for your sake as well as his that it’s not too long before that happens. My kids have gone back to school now, albeit in restricted and altered conditions, and we were really surprised that after all this time at home doing his own thing that Nathan couldn’t get in fast enough. I’m sure there will be hiccups to come for us too, but for now it seems that he’s just grateful for a dose of normality.
Best of luck to you all for the coming term, and please know that I’m thinking of you! 🙂
Thank you so much, Alli! Granted it has only been four days, but I can’t wait for them to go back to school as well. I thought I was fine with them schooling at home, but this is a lot more work than I realized as Declan is not a zoom learner. Hopefully, as time goes on, things will get better and we are ready to give it another chance. I am glad yours have had a good transition back to the classroom. That is really great! We will just keep going doing whatever it takes! 🙂
That’s right, we’ll keep going – that’s all we can do. Nathan wasn’t even vaguely interested in learning at home so he’s lost most of this year in support and education. But at least he’s back now, and I hope yours will be before long. They all need it – and so do we! 🙂
Your kids are shooting up, Robyn. I guess I’ve been reading you for awhile…
They have – the picture I have at the top of the blog really isn’t them (on the outside at least) anymore.
Your area has a jump on us. We spent all this week (and I mean *all* week) practicing zoom connections. Eli hasn’t done any school work yet. I never looked at the serving size on the hummus container. I typically break the hummus into four servings because I have it in a bagel sandwich with lettuce. I guess when you get 11 servings, $5.00 a container isn’t that bad. Recently I was thinking about the cost of my standard brown-bag lunch and I wondered when it all got so expensive. Perhaps I should return to PB&Js.
That sounds like a good sandwich. I agree about the cost of lunches going up. I remember budgeting $10 a week to go out to lunch with co-workers. And that was for a $5 sandwich, a soda and tip. Now, I take the kids to McDonald’s and one meal is over $8. Gone are the good old days of eatin cheap!
I have a lot of respect for parents at this time, esp those like you who have multiple kids attending multiple online classes simultaneously. Good luck!!
Thank you! I didn’t think it was going to take up my whole day, but – it has taken up my whole day! 7:30-5 I am in some part of a classroom or schoolwork. I’m hoping we get into a better groove. This is just week 1. Hopefully, next week is better.
I can’t imagine! Plus the need for so many computers and work areas!! I admire your strength!
At present my snack is hummus. I’m sure the packs must be getting smaller, surely it’s not me eating more. It’s a learning curve for everyone. Just hope the system learns and adapts to what works for individual kids. Try to look after yourself as well, it’s tough on you.
About halfway through the week I did have an adult temper tantrum. The frustration just bubbled over. The class didn’t see it but Declan did. It’s hard to be a good example 100% of the time, trying to keep a positive attitude when I don’t always have it. Oh well. We get to try again next week and hopefully I will be better prepared!
We are still learning the ropes … and I have to say, I am not sure it’s going any better… it’s very frustrating for all involved. I go through days of being calm and collected, and days where I am just losing my sh*t… deep breaths, deeeeeep cleansing breaths (I tell myself)…. Sending some calm, relaxing vibes your way!!
Thank you! To you too!