Publisher's Column: Parenting is Hard--Especially in a Pandemic!

My daughter is in preschool. She has a late birthday, so this is her second year of preschool. When the pandemic hit, I thought we would be fine. After all, she is only in preschool. How hard could it be to teach our child the basics? We have ABC Mouse for that.

Then is was summer. 

Then school started again and many of her friends started Kindergarten. And I freaked out. We had a plan--before the pandemic, of course--and the plan was falling apart. We hadn't registered her for public school and didn't have the money for private. Then there was the option to home school, so I started researching how I was going to do that. At the last minute, we got her into online preschool through the park district. Crisis averted--at least for the moment. 

I seconded guessed if I had done the right thing. I started researching schools and classes all over again. I was basically plotting how I could magically make her skip a grade (and maybe turn into a unicorn or a mermaid). I finally confided in one of my most trusted mom's groups and told them that I was freaking out. They reminded me that my daughter isn't the only one with a late birthday, and everyone is in a crazy school situation this year. One of the mom's reminded me that being an older kid isn't a bad thing. Many do better in school and finish in the top of their class. Being older and more advanced can teach kids compassion for younger kids as they help teach others. I have a late birthday too and was one of the older kids in my class, but I still needed others to remind me that it's going to be okay. 

This year is crazy for everyone. Don't hesitate to reach out to your friends and family. Jump on a video call with your friends and have virtual drinks. Talk about all the crazy. I promise, it helps--even if just for a little bit.

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