Many parents are gearing up for the school year. It may look like remote learning, sending your kids back to school, homeschooling, or heading back to work and trying to juggling both. Many are up against a lot this school year.

It seems as if there are a lot of unknowns and uncertainty revolving around school in general nationwide. In Asheville, NC many schools are doing remote learning at least for the first few months and then we will see what the governor decides.

Everyone is doing their best to figure out what is the right thing to do. I don’t have an opinion about what others have decided to do with their kids for school. I think each family has to do what’s best for them. Many families and teachers didn’t have a choice.

As I wrestle with the unknowns about the school year and prepare myself mentally each week having three kiddos at home in three different classes online, it can feel like I am going bananas some days. Sometimes I get overwhelmed and anxious. Some days I feels stretched. This morning I put my ember battery coffee mug in the microwave and couldn’t figure out zoom for one of my kids. It drove me BANANAS.

I’ve had to allow myself to feel the way I need to feel at times. This is the same for my kids. I try to set aside space to talk with my kiddos about the changes we are all experiencing. I can tell they miss their friends, seeing their teachers in person, and being in a school environment. We fully understand why schools are closed but this change is tough on kids and teachers! This is not a normal we want to get used to.

Our family goals this year are to do the best we can and have patience with one another everyday. I keep telling myself, Our children are our most important work. 

Don’t get me wrong, school is important. Encouraging and facilitating our children to show up to school, homeschool, or do remote learning is very important. Completing assignments and being present is important. I have teacher friends who I know are out there working their butts off to give students the best case scenario out of a really sucky situation. They are killin’ it.

It’s all important and it matters! Aside from school, the most important work we can be doing for our kids as parents, is simply being there for them during this time.

I think this important work is defined in several ways. This can look like connecting with them, loving on them through the change, being available to them during the confusion and frustrations, making them laugh, finding outlets for them, playing and hanging out with them, pointing them to Jesus, and encouraging them to find opportunities/ outlets in these confusing times.

I want to continue to ask my kids these simple questions in this season: How are you doing? How are you handling school and the changes? What do you need from me right now? How can I best support you? I’m really proud of you. You’re doing great. 

Only you can answer these questions with your children. You will know what to say to them and how to be there for them. You are the parent they need!

To all the parents out there, I know this isn’t easy but I have hope! I try to remember that children are resilient! They are strong! Let’s help cultivate their hearts in this season. Let’s move out of the way and allow God to move in them.

“Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work. “- C.S Lewis

God has made you for such a time as this! He has prepared you in advance for this very season and to love your kiddos the way they need you to. You can do this one step at a time and one day at a time! It’s going to suck some days but let’s identify the “good” in this season as we all (our children, teachers, and parents) begin to feel overwhelmed by the school work, requirements, and the details. Let’s set aside time to PURSUE their hearts. Let’s strive to CONNECT with them. Let’s LEAN on God’s strength to guide and equip our families.

Let’s do this together. ✌🏾

 ^“Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.  Therefore do not be foolish and thoughtless, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is.” –Ephesians 5:15-17 AMB

How can you best support your kiddos this school year? In what ways, can you connect with them?