10 Things Parents Should Consider for Back-to-School 2020

By Dr. Elaine Ducharme

Back to School 2020

If this were a normal year, parents would be shouting with joy that their kids were going back to school. If this were a normal year, kids would just be shouting. But this is not a normal year. This is 2020, the year of Covid 19.

The world feels a bit topsy turvy. Parents, who have a primary responsibility to protect their children from harm, are worried that if they send their kids back to school their kids might get sick and die. Or their kids might become carriers of Covid 19 and infect someone else who could get sick and die.

Some schools are not even sure exactly what will happen this year. School districts in the state have had to make three plans: full time in-person learning; full time remote learning; and a hybrid model consisting of some in-school and some remote learning. For parents trying to navigate these uncertain waters, life is difficult and scary. The situation can be even more daunting for divorced or divorcing parents who may have very different ideas about what is best for their child or children.

Here are a few things for parents to keep in mind as they try to figure out what to do.

1. Remember that wearing masks, social distancing and hand washing are the keys to keeping everyone safe. So, check out your school and see what plans they have in place to make sure these rules are strictly followed. For example, find out if they decreasing class size, rotating hours for kids to be in class or walking through the halls.

2. Evaluate your own personal health situation, that of your child (children) and anyone living in your
household. If any of you are in a high-risk category, have conditions such as diabetes or any condition that would weaken the immune system, you might want to consider holding off on in-school learning for a few weeks until we see if the numbers of cases go way up once school starts.

3. If you are unsure about these health issues, check with your medical doctor or pediatrician for guidance.

4. If you are sending your child back to school, make sure the first day of school is not the first day your child has to wear a mask all day long. If you haven’t started practicing at home for extended periods, do so now. For example, have your child wear a mask whenever he or she is on electronics. And pack an extra mask in their backpack.

5. Take advantage of any videos that your school may have showing the set-up of the school and how things will be working this year.

6. Acknowledge your children’s feelings. Encourage them to talk about what they are thinking and worrying about.

7. We know that the social isolation has caused increased depression, drug use and abuse, and even suicide. Watch your children for signs of depression and anxiety. A great resource for parents about this is https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/parents-guide-to-teen-depression.htm

8. If you are divorced or divorcing and you are having difficulty agreeing on what is best for your kids, consider talking to a divorce coach/mediator or parent coordinator. For families who utilized the process of Collaborative Divorce, they already have a divorce coach in place to help them resolve issues when they get stuck.

9. Consider forming small pods if your kids will be staying at home. Small groups of kids/families can help share child care, play activities and even teaching in order to maintain important social interaction.

10. And finally, we know that some families have little choice. Both parents may have to work out of the home and have no alternative care. Please remember to be kind to yourselves. Let go of judging yourself or others. In these uncertain times, we are all doing the best we can. And frankly, that is all we can ask of ourselves or each other.