I was not taught, and I do not know, how to parent during a pandemic. I said that to my kids last March, and now, it is almost 12 months later. I feel the same.

The last time my kids went to school for a day of school was March 12, 2020. They will both take the bus to go to school, as long as they pass the health check, on March 11, 2021. It seems to be both too late and too soon. Every school district is doing it a little differently. Every far-flung friend across the country tells me of different rules and different requirements for going to school in person.

In our district, we had the choice if they wanted to return to the classroom or remain virtual for the entire year. At one point, we considered keeping them home the whole time. We considered going somewhere and having them be REALLY remote as they learned remotely. We never really considered a Pod or a Private school, but I read about people who were doing that. 

I have had to come to a conclusion: There is no right answer.

The choices we had within our district kept changing. First it was going to be hybrid all year – some days virtual and some days in person. Then it went all virtual. Then they implied it was going to be all hybrid and in-person. If the choices don’t stay the same from week to week, how can the right answer stay the same from week to week?

I do not like, and it is not part of my nature, to NOT have a right answer. Out there. Somewhere. Waiting for me to find it.

It actually reveals another facet of my world view I hadn’t thought about much. I think there is some higher power that knows the right answers and is waiting for me to discover them. I actually like taking tests in school. Someone has the answer key to the test and will grade, when I am not looking, and let me know my score.

How can you keep score in a pandemic? And is parenting about keeping score?

When I put it that way…

So I guess it reveals that I didn’t really understand my parenting. I feel like I must have so much else to say on this topic, but it isn’t clear yet. That is why “Part 1.” There are a couple of ideas to chase about this and see where they go.

For now, we are moving forward with the choice to send them back on the bus and back into the classroom twice a week. I have no criteria to evaluate if it is the “right” choice. I hope whoever is grading this test is grading on a curve.