Until You Lose Count

This morning, I met with about 18 of my kids for the first time in two weeks, a chance to experiment with video chatting and interactive slides ahead of next week’s remote instruction. The opportunity to see most of them laughing and smiling and enjoying each other’s company for an hour was a treat. And they all got a chance to speak or ask questions. Every one of them. But for a few of my kids, I could tell this hour was a difficult lifeline, like they were really hurting and lonely and quietly grasping at a chance for something more normal than a screen. Most of them were in good spirits, but a couple of them started to cry, pulling it back on their own and trying to be tough.

I’m reminded today, that when I get a little stir crazy being inside the house, as an adult, I can still drive to Starbucks, or wander the neighborhood, outside, without supervision. But my students are 10 and 11. They can only go out as far as their parents allow, and for good reason. Again, they’re only 10 and 11. Even tougher for those who are 9, 8, 7 and on down.

So moms and dads, please give your kids a hug every single morning, afternoon, and evening if you can, if you’re there in the room. You have the toughest job in the world during this quarantine, to manage the affairs of your homes and your families and your jobs and yourselves. This may just be another thing, but please, please please, with every chance you get, tell your kids you love them, let them know it’s gonna be okay, until you lose count of how many times you say it.

Thanks for all you do, parents. Seriously.