Page 12 - Raise Coronavirus Edition 3

12
A LESSON IN LIFE
STEPHANIE MEEKINGS
Some parents are understandably concerned about their kids falling behind due to the disrup- tions and different delivery formats of school- ing during COVID-19. We’re all wading through unknown territory and trying to make the most of the situation we’re in. But what if this situa- tion isn’t a disadvantage for our kids, but rather an advantage? What if while missing a lesson in school, they’re gaining a lesson in life?
What if they have a new appreciation for their teachers and the opportunity to go to school when schools reopen as normal? What if they develop a sense of independence, autonomy and ownership of their education?
What if they feel more gratitude to live in the country we live in and this beautiful region we call home?
What if this generation learns to cook meals from scratch, learns to mow the lawns, pick veggies in the garden, bake grandma’s family recipe for scones or how to run a household and contribute to chores?
What if our kids learn to delight in the simple things in life? Family time, sunshine, a gentle breeze, diving into the pool, reading a book, connecting with family and acts of kindness.
And when playgrounds, parks and shops open again, perhaps our kids will have a newfound sense of gratitude for all of these things. When we can hug our friends and kiss our grandparents, perhaps they’ll have a new appreciation for these gestures?
Our kids may be in a unique time in our history, but it may not be a disadvantage at all.
Perhaps it will be one of their life’s
greatest lessons.
And one of ours too.
ISOLATION EXPECTATIONS
STEPHANIE MEEKINGS
As a parent at the onset of the coronavirus crisis, I found myself immediately Googling activities for my son to keep him equal
parts entertained, educated and stimulated.
I considered topping up the paint supplies and making an extra batch of play dough (if only
I could get my hands on some flour)! I was worried we’d run out of activities faster than we ran out of toilet paper and the cabin fever would come knocking like an uninvited guest. But after pinning away on Pinterest, cutting out craft and setting up science experiments, I realised perhaps I didn’t need to do it all.
I am still a working mother with deadlines to meet, I am still a wife, a homemaker, a friend, the snack maker... the wearer of many hats and juggler of many balls. Throw in a global pandemic, isolation and uncertainty and I was definitely feeling stretched. And as I read yet another article about how to be productive in isolation by picking up a second language or learning a new hobby (hats off to those who have mastered any of these new skills), I decided I just needed to lower those expectations a few notches.
Parents aren’t expected to be the teacher, the employee and the parent while replicating their “normal” daily routine in the home. Teachers are still teaching, just in
a different way. Kids are still learning, just in a different format. Your isolation expectations may be to thrive, but they may just be to survive - and that is totally fine in my books. Equally, your expectations of your children and partner may need adjusting during this time, too.
We’ve watched more TV in the last few weeks than we have in the last few years and the house is being trashed on the daily, but we’ve also played endless games, read countless books and made a multitude of memories together in our family home. So while I won’t be finessing my French during this time, I will be surviving and my son will hopefully remember this period fondly as the time we were all together.
Stephanie is a Cairns Catholic Education Digital Media Officer
COLUMNS
RAISE MAGAZINE • SPECIAL EDITION 3