Children on the Pandemic

Trying to keep a finger on the pulse of this nation’s children, I spoke to nearly all 72 of my fifth graders today over the course of three hours, asking them to reflect and share their experiences over the last year, twelve months after they left campus for Spring Break and couldn’t come back, twelve months after the world starting flipping upside down. Some were courageous, talking about death and divorce in the middle of a pandemic, living between houses, lacking closure after a loss, the hardship of dealing with life when it seems like everything and everyone around them is falling apart. Some, who switched schools between fourth and fifth grade, held back tears talking about the friends and the teachers they never had a chance to hug goodbye. Others talked about nervous ticks and anxieties that got worse over time and haven’t fully recovered. One boy talked about how hard his parents have been working lately, trying to keep up with everything after losing their jobs in 2020, that he never sees them much anymore, and that’s really tough on him, not having them around.

On the flip side, there were several kids still virtual who talked about enjoying the freedom to eat whatever they want for lunch, the freedom to work at their own pace, and quite a few kids, virtual or otherwise, who talked about how thankful they were for this year, and the way their new friends, their new classes have given them a reason to smile in the midst of a world in turmoil (so I taught them about the word “bliss”). Some went so far as to say their parents’ job loss was a blessing to the family, because they bonded more in 2020 than ever before. I don’t share these things with you because I have any solutions. I only share them as a reminder that whatever feelings you’ve had this year, our kids have those same feelings, in their own way.

That’s why so many of us keep teaching, caring, and trying to help.