I was more worried about virtual school than I let on last August.
I tried to play the role of “cool, calm, and collected” to those around me. But deep down, I was terrified about virtual school. What if I was making the absolute biggest mistake I could make regarding my children’s education? And what if I was single-handedly the reason they failed in the biggest way possible? So many what-ifs?
I found my mind filled with so many what-ifs that there wasn’t much time for anything else. I almost let fear get the better of me and change my mind. But then a friend, who I also work with, reminded me of something very important. His words were clear, “only you know what is best for your kids.”
After a few weeks, our little family seemed to get into the swing of virtual school and what our new schedule looked like. Some days were definitely harder than others, but each one was as rewarding as the last. I felt like I could play a bigger role in my children’s education than I ever had before. Were there still days when I had doubts that I shouldn’t have put them in “virtual school”? You bet your behind I did. But then I would remember what my friend told me.
Those words were the ones I fell back to time and again.
And while my children did the majority of the learning, they educated me along the way as well.
With two children on the Autism Spectrum, I have probably been more involved in what happens while my kids are at school than some parents. The previous year had shown the rise in some drastic issues with our oldest “AUSOME” child. She truly had been the child that flew under the radar for what seemed like her entire academic career. That all changed when third grade rolled around.
That year we saw a ridiculous rise in behavior issues while at school, something that had never been an issue before. And while I could be quick to point fingers at a teacher or that the school work was harder than before, it was not one single thing. She was of the age when hormones were starting to change, there may or may not have been personality conflicts with the teacher, but her academics still were not suffering even if her behavior had become atrocious. I give you that bit of insight to say this; the behaviors we saw during third grade while in the building did not grace us with presence during her fourth-grade year of virtual learning. She truly was a child who THRIVED on learning at her own pace.
As for our other two children that spent a year learning virtually? We saw benefits and setbacks.
Our neurotypical child in the middle missed her friends. And she was probably the one of our children that gave us the most trouble. She has always been that child that behaves like a saint at school or in public but then lets her crazy out the moment she walks through the front door. And I am perfectly okay with that. She still finished her school year on the A/B Honor Roll, but we could definitely tell that she missed the social aspect of school, even if socialization was a bit different for 2020-2021.
And our littlest puzzle piece was the same in many ways and different in others. He could care less about school socialization, but it is still a good experience for him to have. But I also think he could have found benefits from being in the building. As with my other children, I want him to grow up to be the absolute best version of himself that he can be, and socialization is part of that equation.
So would I do it again?
You bet your bottom dollar I would do it again if faced with the exact same situation. But I guess an even bigger question is, “will they be going back in the building for 2021-2022”? That is a question that I don’t quite have an answer to. As the summer wears on and guidelines for the next school year become more clear, decisions will be made. Will next year look traditional, virtual, or maybe even homeschool-ish? Only time will tell what we will feel is best for our kids. The biggest takeaway I want for each reader to get from this post is simple:
Only you know what is best for your children.
So forget what others think or say. Do what you know in your heart is in their best interests. I know I sure plan to.
Did you participate in virtual school this year? Was it by choice as our family was, or was it a district-wide decision? Did you see the benefits? Would you do it again if faced with the same situation? Drop your thoughts and feelings in the comments down below.
