- but was needed to be heard by ALL!

Hi there,

Just a note to say thank you for all of your efforts with the kids/schooling these days. I know VERY well how challenging it can be to get to professional projects with the kids in tow. I chose to stay home with Kayden after mat leave rather than send him to daycare because as a new mom, I couldn’t imagine leaving him with anyone else, no matter the financial or career implications. I also thought I could continue with my writing/video production work while I was with him, teaching and growing... I quickly learnt how naive that idea was (just as my dear photographer friend who stayed home with her kids tried to tell me in advance lol). So, I tried to embrace the special time with him that would never come around again while putting my other plans on hold.

Looking back, I would not change my choice. I see how important our time together was. How he developed. How I did. How we bonded. But with responsibilities and professional goals of my own, it wasn’t always easy. Every day, constantly putting things and thoughts to the side. It’s been about six and a half years since transitioning to “working from home” and doing it all over again with Gratian, I realized that much like anything else, with time, I got a lot better at it. Less frustration, more understanding about little kids and how to structure our days and shift goals while encouraging exploration, growth and fun.

I’m sure a lot of parents are finding it challenging to embrace this new “normal”, trying to juggle everything in the same space. Especially if they continued working away from home once they had kids. Their new environment is likely extremely shocking right now. How can it not be, day after day trying to find any balance with so much confinement? Expectations and results are certainly confusing, but with time, we’ll all get better at navigating it.

Please know, from my perspective as a parent, one who’s “sort of” been in this boat for years, the specifics aren’t so important. The fact that you’re managing to continue connecting with the kids and providing some familiarity, structure, learning and activities is fantastic. Although aiming for greatness is something we likely all share choosing to be enrolled at this school, if you miss a word on a list, or include two worksheets instead of three, please don’t beat yourself up over it. You are at home, trying to behave as though you’re at school. You are being a parent to two kids, while trying to be a teacher to a virtual classroom full. You are a caring professional, also a human being going through a pandemic.

Our minds are racing, full of thoughts about big things going on in the world. I hope we can also slow down to fill our hearts with gratitude for the little things happening in our community. The fact that you’re trying. You show up every day and you’re making efforts to adapt and improve. Thank you. There will be great days and gloomy days. Ones with an abundance of energy and ones with none to be found. You deserve some grace through it all. You are a helping hand caring for our kids in unchartered waters. Any way you can contribute is appreciated right now, while governments, schools and parents figure out how to move forward with learning and living. I remember, when Kayden was a newborn and I couldn’t get a minute detached from him. My dad came over to sit with him for 10 minutes so I could have a quick shower. It was only 10 minutes, but it felt like a lifetime. In that brief moment, just being in my own head, I felt refreshed. Literally, from the shower of course lol, but mentally and emotionally as well. I could continue better than before.

You are likely a sort of life jacket for a lot of parents right now, trying to stay afloat. I hope this message is yours. You are doing a great job! THANK YOU!

I’m cc-ing Mrs.Gosal and Mrs.D with this note in case there are any other teachers who need to hear it :)

Sincerely,

Kathryn (mother of Kayden and Gratian)