Got the COVID Blues?

TWO YEARS AGO, no one could have predicted the chaos that COVID could have wrecked on parents, children and schools. It has left parents exhausted from playing so many roles in their child's education and using technology, children frustrated by masks and confusing class meetings and expectations, and teachers frightened and confused as to how to best serve their students.

Regardless of how COVID has impacted you and your school experience, here are a few rules of thumb on how to manage:

1) Simplify: if you are about to pull your hair out, ask yourself, "what actually has to be done to achieve the greatest outcome?" Do all items on the activity need to be done? Can I get my answers by just picking up the phone? What are some other ways I can communicate my answers or my message?

2) Ask questions: communicate regularly with those who have a hold on your time or perhaps don't understand what you don't understand. Explore classroom, school, district and state and federal websites to get answers to your questions. For Missouri, look to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (mo.gov) as one example.

3) Ask for help: there are so many resources available online and by phone to help you navigate this new terrain. Find out what others are doing. It is okay to beg and borrow whatever you need to make things work.

4) Look for alternatives: find out what options you have for attending school, completing work, feeling safe and getting help. Get on some legitimate parent support websites (look for those that are hosted by a recognized authority in your district or at the state and/or national level.

5) Do not get on the "complain train": complaining is a fine outlet but it is not productive and can ultimately cause more stress. We are where we are in all of this, so focus on solutions and find others with a similar outlook. For example, form an electronic study group(s), host "watch parties" of electronic experiences/videos with others, or utilize sources outside of those provided by the school or district to find inspiration. Word of warning to teachers and parents: resist the urge to complain or panic in front of the children--their attitude is highly dependent on yours!

Whatever blues COVID is giving you, there are ways to survive and thrive. Go through these steps one-by-one and brainstorm with a friend how you can get through to the other side together. If you are in need of extra or special help, use the COVID code in your first contact with me to get a 25% discount on services.