LIFE IN THE TIME OF...
It is the evening before we begin the experiment of moving public school out of the school buildings and online, thanks to COVID-19. The kids have had yesterday and today off. Their teachers have been sending out emails with a list of things that will come, or with the promise of such. It's been a lovely few days weather wise, temperatures reaching briefly into the low 60's and tomorrow they sink again with the promise of rain and then snow in a few days. It feels apropos. And daunting.
One hopes for the feeling of a snow day, everyone hauling down their blankets and snuggling on the couch while we watch the Great British Bake Off or Harry Potter. But that feeling has been elusive.
The girls in high school have already started on what assignments they can start on. It might have been better to wait, but some enterprising teachers wouldn't. So it goes. It's an experience everyone has to settle into, even or, maybe especially, the teachers, I tell my children frustrated by a lack of information, or too much.
I hope the days order themselves easily. That we can have rhythm and schedule and some sense of peace. Some of my children are more philosophical than others. They will weather this better. The trick: keep the ones inclined to hermitage in order to escape the family not locked up in their rooms; and also, not yelling among us.
Our unfinished basement has become an indoor basketball court. Our old kitchen table a small version set up for ping pong. I went and bought an adjustable net and ping pong balls. I have some treats hidden around. It's tempting not to bring them all out. But we have at least two weeks. I know it's more. I imagine a few trips to Walmart for some more ice cream and Cadbury mini-eggs.
My eyes are tired from staring at a screen reading about a pandemic. I should take a break. Somehow.
One hopes for the feeling of a snow day, everyone hauling down their blankets and snuggling on the couch while we watch the Great British Bake Off or Harry Potter. But that feeling has been elusive.
The girls in high school have already started on what assignments they can start on. It might have been better to wait, but some enterprising teachers wouldn't. So it goes. It's an experience everyone has to settle into, even or, maybe especially, the teachers, I tell my children frustrated by a lack of information, or too much.
I hope the days order themselves easily. That we can have rhythm and schedule and some sense of peace. Some of my children are more philosophical than others. They will weather this better. The trick: keep the ones inclined to hermitage in order to escape the family not locked up in their rooms; and also, not yelling among us.
Our unfinished basement has become an indoor basketball court. Our old kitchen table a small version set up for ping pong. I went and bought an adjustable net and ping pong balls. I have some treats hidden around. It's tempting not to bring them all out. But we have at least two weeks. I know it's more. I imagine a few trips to Walmart for some more ice cream and Cadbury mini-eggs.
My eyes are tired from staring at a screen reading about a pandemic. I should take a break. Somehow.
Comments
Post a Comment