To my darling kids – I know this isn’t what we thought this was school year going to look like.
I remember, back in January, talking about how the next school year was going to be different. We talked about how you, little miss, were going to finally be in full-day school. We talked about how you, buster, were going to school five mornings every week. Then, the world got turned upside down.
My heart broke — and still breaks — for the things you’re missing out on. I want some sort of “normalcy” for both of you. But I also want to keep you safe.
During our first week of homeschool, you, little miss, told me, while frowning, “This is different from my old school. I want my old school back.” My heart broke again.
I want your school back too; I love our local public school. I loved your teachers. I loved that it’s where your love of books and reading began to blossom and grow. I loved your stories from art class and music class. But brick-and-mortar school isn’t the same as it was. It isn’t the way you remember it — and that was one reason why we decided to keep you home, at least for now.
In the meantime, I promise you two this: we are going to make the most of this school year at home. We are doing things differently this year. Yes, school will be different, but I hope it’s fun. I hope you come to love it.
Just the other day, we brought our watercolors out. You painted pictures of the yard and the sky while we sat under one of the willow trees. I read you a book about the reasons for the seasons, and you told me about how the tree was going to change and how it was going to lose all its leaves. Ants walked across your paintings, and you laughed.
After you finished your paintings, you decided to paint some of the sticks in our yard. We didn’t completely stick to the day’s curriculum — we rarely do — but that’s okay. I want you to have the freedom to explore, to play, and to learn in these crazy, uncertain times.
Homeschool life is entirely different. I know it’s a change. But years down the road, when this pandemic is over, my wish for you is this: that you remember the happy moments, like art time under the willow tree, the most.
Love you, always and forever,
Mom
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