This wasn’t the COVID blog I planned. I was trying to pull together a bunch of resources for you all- things that would help you talk to your kids about social distancing, mental health advice for you, links to mask sellers, etc. I hope I get to do that post eventually.
But as it stands now, I can’t even find the time to empty my menstrual cup until it literally runs over and I’m like FUCKKKKKK COVID PERIODS!
Everything is COVID-something right now. COVID-dinners. COVID-runs. COVID-grocery-shopping. COVID-school.
FUCK. COVID. SCHOOL.
Can we please just stop pretending that any of this schooling is working? AND DO PLEASE STOP RIGHT THERE if you’re about to drone on about how it’s working FOR YOU.
I literally can not with another sanctimonious parent bragging about how this is really not that bad for them because they are making their kids a priority and BLAH FUCKING BLAH. Shut. Up.
YOU? ARE THE EXCEPTION. Here’s your cookie! Now leave.
Anyway, FOR THE REST OF US, this shit is bananas, right? It’s not working!! This is not learning. My kids are not learning. We have missed I don’t even know how many zooms. We can’t log in to half the things. Our internet is constantly bogged down.
Homeschooling was many times easier than whatever COVID-school is. For one, we didn’t have 15 emails coming from 3 different grade levels and two different schools a day. When we last homeschooled- ON PURPOSE- there was one parent in our family fully dedicated to that, and even then, it only took a few hours a day, not even 5 days a week. And we did it at our leisure.
Now, we have two adults with JOBS and 4 kids- INCLUDING A FERAL TODDLER. And we are all supposed to operate under one roof with one wifi network on the same days of the week.
I don’t care if it’s pass/incomplete. (God be with any of you dealing with graded work right now. How you are not ripping around in a murderous rage is beyond me.)
This shit should be called off. CANCELLED. Please, just let me feel zero guilt about simply keeping everyone alive right now while I also work, keep the house from becoming a biohazard, worry about my parents, source masks, strategically plan grocery runs… did I mention WORK?? Did you miss the part where I have a WILD 3 YEAR OLD WHO IS NOW LOCKED IN A HOUSE?!
CANCEL FUCKING COVID SCHOOL.
Everyone who is a better parent than I am, who wants to be sure their child doesn’t fall behind, or whatever, they can go buy workbooks or sign up for online enrichment activities. I will gladly exchange 1/4 a school year of my kids being “behind” for not losing my mind every fucking day.
And before one more person tells me I’m being “anti-teacher” let me clarify that I think keeping this charade up is the most anti-teacher BS ever. Let them take time off!! KEEP PAYING THEM! To do.. NOTHING. I think it’s a GLORIOUS IDEA. I’m not being sarcastic.
OR? Give them this time to truly check in with the kids they are worried about. Let them talk to parents and connect them with mental health and financial resources. Let them worry about the KIDS and not the lessons!!
The truth of it its that the majority of teachers are in the same boat I am- too many expectations and not enough time.
“School” shouldn’t be a priority right now. The end.
I make no apologies for the number of times I typed FUCK here. FUCK ALL OF THIS.
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113 comments
Coming from a teacher and mom-Thank you!! 🙌🏼
And from another teacher also..f***ing THANK YOU 🙂 !!!
Omg THANK YOU for saying what needs to be said! I am a single, full time work from home mom now and my kids teachers just post the assignments for there 3rd grade subjects and. say get done by Friday! No live teaching or videos. We are left to do so. Self paced, self motivated 3rd graders… They don’t exist! It’s this really important right now??
From a teacher who has to do zoom meetings with all my families individually each month. My husband is a federal publisher defender working from home and not missing a beat ie working all the f’ing day sucking up the WiFi and having 4 teenagers one a college student forced home and extremely angry about (I just shut her phone off cuz it’s time to buck up and stop acting entitled) I am in NOT in a place to monitor my kids schooling. Our children will still make their dreams come true even if they missed 1 quarter of their schooling career, F@ck Covid School. Kids go run be healthy and work on how your dealing with your losses. Grieve in a healthy way and know it’s not only ok to grieve you NEED TO!
Yes girl! Yes! A friend just sent this to me because I’m on the brink. I have a fiscal year end fast approaching to which I manage $11 mil…that job puts food on my table when I can find it in the damn store. That job is stressful, even though I love it and my team. I can’t be a full time teacher too. And my husband is a doctor, so let’s not even go there. We are stressed. Period. Stop the Covid school and let us figure this shit out. Preach girl. Preach on.
Omg girl!! Thank you you just said the words that were right out of my mouth !! I completely agree with you on every step of the way!! You are so right about this bullshit! These schools teachers etc shouldn’t be forcing kids to do work when there is a lot going on right now that is way more important then school! I could fucking care less if my daughter is gonna be behind because at the end of the day that’s not what matters during a pandemic !! And mind you my daughter is autistic and drives me nuts every single day! I will not be sending my daughter to school if they would try to reopen during the fall he’ll noo that is putting your child at a huge risk
Love this!!! Debating on writing a public comment lol….but this should be more like a warning of the absolute BS happening right now. I have 6 kids, 2 toddlers, age 2 and 3, the 3 kids being homeschooled, and one 19 year old. All my kids, zero family to help,and trying to work,just like you.
I had CPS called on me because the school reported my kids MISSED TOO MANY ZOOM MEETINGS ( even though I emailed numerous times about changing programs so there was more flexibility. Nope! Can’t transfer schools either because California is not allowing any transfers right now. So PARENTS BEWARE!
SOOOO….I filed an affidavit to become my own private school, bought and on-line curriculum and am withdrawing my kids from this ridiculous run-around.
Teacher and Mom of 5-still-at-home in 3 different schools and YES TO ALL OF THIS.
IIIIIIIIIIIIII FFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG LLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOVVVVVVEEEEEEE TTTTTTTHHHHHHHEEEEEEE FFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKK OOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUTTTTTTTTT OOOOOOOOFFFFFFFF YYYYYYYOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!! FINALLY! SOMEONE SAID IT!!!!!!!! 🥰🥰🥰😩😩😩😭😭😭😭🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪😄😄😄😄😄😳😳😳😳😳😳😳🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬all the fucking emojis we all have to be feeling right now!!!!! Bipolar doesn’t even come close to the fucking roller coaster we’re all on right now!!!
Right. Agreed. But throw in special needs and you are all sitting pretty. Welcome to OUR world ALWAYS.
Coming from a family with a former teacher I have seen the struggle I agree it’s time to be United and keep focus where it is needed
the situation is laughable. to be clear, i am not “anti-teacher.” my father was an english teacher for over 20 years, and i appreciate all the hard work teachers do. with that being said, the 4 teachers i have this semester for community college have ALL completely failed to accommodate students in any way shape or form. you would think that given the circumstances, the teachers would be a LITTLE more lenient and adjust the courses so they’re compatible online for students at home. nope. assignments and requirements went unchanged, as if all the material could be converted online without any tweaks. a couple of my teachers are terrible at providing clear instructions, and this is only made worse by the situation. teachers assume students will understand everything, despite the lack of meaningful, face-to-face communication. one of my teachers has uploaded several assignments/exams in the middle of the day WITHOUT notifying students, with those assignments exams being due….that night. no preparation or heads up. teachers have ignored my emails, despite clearly being stuck at home. mandatory zoom calls were held by one of my teachers for points. mandatory. if you missed one, you were missing out on crucial information that wouldn’t be conveyed to you another time. i’ve never been more frustrated with school. again, i’m not trying to bash teachers, but this is a fucking joke. maybe this set of teachers i have is a one-off deal, but i don’t think it’s a coincidence that their poor practices have been made apparent amidst the pandemic. i have yet to see one of my teachers adjust/omit an assignment for accommodating purposes. did i mention that the grading system has gone completely unchanged and that my teachers are grading no differently than if we were there in person? even when assignment criteria is unclear and no explanations are given for how we should be approaching certain tasks? i didn’t pay 4 digits out of pocket for this joke of an experience. the sad part is that, pandemic aside, i’m considering not going to school next year. that’s how frustrating this has been. s/o to all the teachers who haven’t even made an effort to adapt to the circumstances, we’re so lucky to have you!
So true, we parents are like puppets being told to teach our kids from home, fuck off when you go to work and are expected to homeschool, ok pay me the teachers fucking salary. I don’t want to and can not home school my child so cut the bullshit and leave parents alone until the teachers go back to school full time with the kids . No more home schooling , gets kids back to school full time.
Preach it! Love you! Someone has to say it. I swear I always feel like this horrible mom because so many other mothers brag how easy this is. They are most likely stressing too but are putting on a facade to all the other parents! The way I see it, if Covid is so horrible, why is school even being put as a priority at the moment. Maybe we should all be stocking up and building bunkers lol. My children are now going to be doing mondays, tuesdays, and Thursdays- home school and Wednesday and friday at school. That’s still 3 days of virtual learning. I would be ok if they learned in school and brought their work home. But throwing in the computers and the Zoom classes! That’s ridiculous. None of us were prepared for this, nor did we volunteer. And as for teachers, how is that even going to work. They want you all to teach online and still have to homeschool your own children. I have spent the whole summer dealing with 2 stressed boys and my phone, text, and emails all being blown up with school updates. That’s no summer vacation. I am praying I am able to juggle everything in my day once their schooling starts back up September 8th. If only there was something we could all do..
Omg I love you. Every single word out of your mouth is how I feel. Thank you Lord for some honesty. I was on my mom facebook group and a mother posted” who else is loving having their kids at home doing school this way? I think I’m gonna continue on even when they are allowed to go back” and 200 mom’s on there commented and agreed!!!! I put my phone down in shame of my awful teacher/mom actions of counting the minutes till this shit is over and this kid will get the hell out of my house. So thank you thank you
Same. I’m exhausted and so over being everything for everyone. I hate that I’m supposed to be the mom, the teacher (didn’t sign up for that), and the medical care clinician on video or phone consults the whole time at the same time I’m monitoring zoom meetings for two 2nd graders and a 5th grader. Only have internet at my office. super fun!!
My theory is every school everywhere will be about the same amount of behind if we just stop now because they’re not the only ones. Everyone is in the same boat. So I’m ready for school to be out for summer
Not a mom and not a teacher, but I love this. I know a lot of friends who are currently feeling the stress and I can’t even imagine what y’all are going through. And I do agree with just calling it off. Especially you guys in the states. Doesn’t the school year end in May anyways? I’m sure the kids being one month behind in learning isn’t going to mess them up for life. Kids are resilient. They are learning in other unconventional ways that some people aren’t able to see. But trust me, they are learning by playing. Coming from an early childhood educator. Thinking of you and your family and everyone else during this difficult time.
In New York State, school ends the last week of June.
Thank you for putting down in writing what we are all feeling! My mental capacity is maxed out and I am going to need some mental health days when this is all over just to rejuvenate for when I actually have to go back to work five days a week…outside of home. But hey…going back to the office five days a week may be just what I need…a vacation in and of itself! Stay strong everyone!!!!
Couldn’t agree more!
It’s not fair for the parents or the children. Too much stress on everyone.
Just stop before some of the parents loss it and take it out on the children. Too many out of work money no food mouths to feed and you want to push these last what 20 days of school too. Fxxk that !!!! I agree well said.
I posted a long rant about this in my stories before we started Covid school a few weeks ago and most people disagreed with me. I 💯 agree with you. My argument was that if things really get as scary and serious as the government is telling us, then nobody is in any position to teach or do school. What happens when people start dropping like flies because they get coronavirus? Or their parents are dying. Or people are depressed after losing their jobs. Are we supposed to pretend like this really matters in the grand scheme of things? 2 months of distance learning that is just added stress on top of an already stressful situation. We are on spring break this week (ie: let my kids play video games all day, because what else is there when it’s pouring outside and they can’t go play anywhere?), but I’m already dreading week 3 of fucking covid achool. Also god bless the teachers. This is too much to ask of them. I can’t even imagine how many emails and questions they are fielding all day long.
Omgosh ALL of this! Thank you for writing this! SO true! All of it!
I feel seen. And this teacher has NEVER felt that you were anti-teacher.
Yes. Yes. Yes. I had been crying the whole day when this post was shared with me yesterday. My hubby and I both trying to work and manage two elementary kids and their lessons is not even a little bit reasonable. Fuck this. My kids finally learned to ride bikes without training wheels and paint with watercolors for hours. Smiles all around. Stop the madness. There’s plenty of anxiety to go around without this crap.
You are my fucking hero!
COVID school is working for my kids, in the sense that they get to see their friends and yammer on to someone else about how things are going. I can’t imagine trying to do it with younger kids in the house at all. And so many kids out here (Alaksa) don’t have internet access or there is a GB limit so you’re robbing Peter to pay Paul if you try to use too much.
I understand high school credits and whatnot but, it’s all a system that they made up – writing a 6 page paper about an English author makes you no more ready for college than surviving a pandemic does.
OMG THIS —-> “writing a 6 page paper about an English author makes you no more ready for college than surviving a pandemic does.” YESSSSSS!!!!!!
“It’s a system they made up” effing yes!!! Could we please admit that the idea of grades, credits, and being “behind” is all just a social construct that doesn’t matter even a little bit in the face of a global pandemic?! They made the rules. UNMAKE THEM.
Teacher and a mom here and I agree with you 100,000%.
I’m not even trying to get my own third grader to do her school work bc fuck it. I have 32 students I am supposed to be still teaching daily, my own children (including my own ferrel toddler) and my own anxiety over all of this that I’m dreading waking up every day. You and this post are my hero right now.
I’m really conflicted on this. On one hand YES. YES. FUCK YES IT’S AWFUL AND NOT HELPFUL. On the other hand I’m terrified about what this period will mean for my kiddo with disabilities. I know I’m not enough on my own, that’s why I sought out and fought for professionals who are now mostly unable to help in any meaningful or impactful ways (though they are still trying and I do appreciate that). It’s exhausting, I’m ridiculously depressed again, but I also don’t want this very important time to pass us by with a permanent loss of attainment. And as much as a lot of the work is busy work that doesn’t really help, it’s kind of all that can be done at this grade level. I just don’t know and even thinking about it makes me want to spiral off in to a pit of despair a lot of the time (dark but true, sorry not sorry).
Sorry for rambling, this subject sucks and I want to just give everyone on all sides struggling with it an “it’s ok” but I fear for how that leaves the truly vulnerable children behind :c
I’m in Australia and meant to start this at home school bullshit next week, my teens are year 10 and year 12… the biggest fucking years here in Australia, my 17 year old daughter doesn’t listen to me at the best of times and now this?? I’m gonna have to remember to stop swearing at home so their classes don’t hear me , I’m gonna have to wear real clothes and not day pjs and brush my hair! It’s gonna be like a 3 month parent teacher interview. I think I have to divorce my husband and leave him so the kids are eligible to attend school in person 😂😂
Fellow Aussie here, 17yo daughter in Yr 12. I’m thankful she’s motivated enough that I don’t have to ride her but FUCK ME! I feel so sad for all the kids in their final year of high school worldwide, missing out on all the social things they spend their whole school life looking forward to. At this rate, I think they’ll be back at school for Term 3 and that’s it.
Here in Ohio some of our school sent emails out.. They are done.. My sister n law niece will be getting her Diploma in the mail.. This Fucking suck for them.. They was waiting for prom, and especially walking up to get the diploma with all there family watching them..
Oh my, you hit the nail in the head! I have to remember not to swear when my 15 ur old is in zoom classes which seems to be all damn day! I can’t walk into my kitchen without getting yelled at “I’m in class!!” Well, I want a glass of water (or whisky at this point). I have to brush my teeth as soon as I wake up, and put on a bra 😩, and get dressed and not listen to the classes, because…privacy issues. What!?!? What about MY privacy?? Ugh, GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!!
Best of luck to you all!
A-fn-men. And expecting “attendance” by 930am every single day. Kiss my ass.
A-freaking-MEN! I’m a parent of 2 teens and teach middle school computer science part time and OMG- we’re in week one of online school and to say it’s hard is an understatement. Thank goodness we’re ending the quarter with no new learning and review, our school system has devices and wifi hotspots to handout but despite our access to technology, I still have very real social and emotional concerns about my students. The organization required by students and parents is next level as kids have to keep track of work, Zooms, etc. while some of my students are worried about their parents being out of work, where meals are coming from (our school system immediately provided meals upon school closing), taking care of younger siblings, etc. As a teacher, I can’t ignore the many different home scenarios that differ from my own and even though I’m compassionate, flexible, lenient, and understanding– I still worry it’s not enough. I know I worry because I care. Caring is SO important so I don’t see your post as being anti-teacher at all. Thanks for getting it and knowing the real social and emotional needs that kids have that I worry are getting brushed under the rug right now. (((hugs)))
Nurse and mom of four.
“F- Covid school” is right. After working 12hrs in a high stress environment the last thing you want to do is get home at 8:30pm and review the shit they DIDN’T do or had questionS on that only you could help them with. and why the email, google classroom, remind, etc… get it in one place once a day. We shouldn’t have to check multiple times a day for updates. Better yet- F Covid school and let the teachers worry about their own kids, parents, and cancel school. The year is DONE
Agree wholeheartedly with EVERY SINGLE FUCK YOU SAID
I am a retired grama and loved reading this. I obviously do not work, have no children at home and still can relate. I remember my mom days with only two kids, and would only wish this isolation crap on not a soul. After saying that though, I am self isolating and washing hands, etc. Etc. To help the curve, but will also be glad when it’s over. Stay safe💕
Aww. You take care Debbie!
100% on your page….GO JILL….couldn’t have said it better myself using my favorite adjective !!! My kids aren’t doing any of the work to my knowledge (2 of the 3 get the teacher emails to their devices along with me) from the moment they see the word “optional” they stop reading the emails….and if they get behind we will deal with it when school resumes back to normal. Most teachers are having to deal with the same stresses and their own kids right now and shouldn’t feel like they have to send the optional work. If your kid needs “work” find it on your own….and pat your own back!!! Let the teachers reach out to their students if they want and how they want…they know which students need them more than others for different needs and/or concerns and most importantly they know the amount of time they can dedicate outside of their own families right now. I admire all of my teacher friends…sending love to you all!! 😘
Jill, I’ve followed you for a very long time and I cannot agree with you more on this. So glad someone said it.2 adults trying to work (I’m non essential and work from home) while husband is essential and out of the house. 3 kids 1-15 years old. I had to break up 2 fights just while trying to write this. Oh and we are still full time in an RV.
Here is the bullshit I’m dealing with: the lesson plan is on the website, app See Saw for videos or pictures. Raz Kids for reading. YouTube for videos. Text messages. ABCya and pebblego for something. PDFs, flash cards and PowerPoint presentations. Daily. I’m getting calls and texts if I don’t turn in his work. For fucking kindergarten.
I can’t. I just can’t.
Evaluate your day. Anything burning? Everyone been fed? If it’s a “no” and a “yes” you chalk it up as a “win”
Love this 🙂
Agree 100%. My concern is for the kids that rely on school for food and affection and check-ins. I do not care at all about learning loss. Everyone in the while world is missing school right now, and it will not make a significant difference in anyone’s lifelong learning. Let the teachers check in with the families that need it. Provide food to the families that need it. Bring a tv to families that need them and let the kids watch PBS Kids instead of school. The device sharing and internet sharing and supervision needed even for high schoolers to get their work done is unrealistic for a lot of families. I was over distance learning before it started.
Oh, Jill. This is so incredibly stressful and hard. I want to share what’s working for us, in hopes that it may just help you. We contacted each child’s teacher to figure out the bare minimum requirement each day. For most, that means logging in to the portal, and submitting something. One thing. Maybe a half-ass math assignment. Maybe just one of the required ten story paragraphs.
Beyond that, we’re free to do the rest “at leisure.” Our district knows there are kids home alone while mom and dad make minimum wage slinging boxes or scrubbing hospital floors. They know that some kids will have mom and dad every step of the way, and some will be watching so much Disney Plus, and not the nature sections.
We spend 15-20 minutes together each day per kid doing the minimum, then we do what we can, when we can (so for you, assuming Kendall and Leyna can’t do this part themselves, that’s 45 minutes to an hour for you) Sometimes we do all of it. Sometimes we do the fun or easy parts. Sometimes we finish it on a Sunday night, or ignore it completely. Sometimes we can it in favor of something more hands-on.
And we never, ever do the preschool stuff. Sorry kid.
Could you reach out to each teacher and find out the minimum? For middle school, that might just mean contacting the principal vs. seven teachers.
For Zoom calls, my kids are in charge of setting alarms and getting their iPads. If they want to see their class, they’ll be motivated. I feel like this is teaching them to keep meetings and appointments in the future, so #lifeskills. And if they don’t do it, well, neither does half the class, from what I can tell.
And girl, call your internet company. We have 20 million devices running all day every day and no internet problems, and we are notttt in a wealthy/high-tech/cutting-edge area. But we did fork over another $20/month for the good juice, which may be a worthy investment at this point (hey, you’re spending less on gas!)
For sure! It is a charade for everyone to think these kids would be learning anyways. Our district did finally say if you are happy with your grade you can be done or work till you have the grade you want and then stop. If you get a grade on something that hurts you it wont be entered. Whew! I have 3 teenage boys and I am thankful for them being forced to hang out with me and will play games. They would rather be with their friends and I try not to take that personal even though I do. I tell them if we all hang together for 2 hours a day and they do some kind of exercise then I don’t give a shit if they watch YouTube or play video games rest of day. Win win.
❤️❤️❤️ 100%
My big kids (4th and 8th grades) have new assignments 3 days a week, and not only are they graded, if they DON’T complete and submit the assignments for the day… they are given an unexcused absence. Ridiculous!
I know some parents who I know who are really struggling are simply writing a letter to the school district and just pulling kids out and homeschooling them for rest of the year. Which is totally legal, doable, happens in real school years often and may help many parents have sense of balance. We only have one in school and its Kindergarten so if we miss a day or many I don’t worry. But if I had older multiple kids in school… I probably would pull them out for year and just homeschool. They get the credit and I am in control without a million emails. It is a real option and easy to notify the district intent.
Jesus christ, thank you. I’m a teacher and I have two kids of my own at home. They’ve done little to no school work most weeks while I work out how to get lessons to other kids, not because their parents are asking for it but because I’ll get at least two different nastygrams from administrators asking me where my lesson plans are if they’re not in on time. ::insert huge eye roll:: I love your suggestion to let teachers simply spend their energy checking in on the kids that they know truly need it. I had just begun a CPS call on one of my little guys. We were checking in with him each day when he got to school. It is killing me that I don’t know how he’s doing. And I know I’m not the only one in this boat. This is insane. We are on “spring break” right now and I keep relaxing and then panicking because I know this week will be over soon and then it’s back to covid class chaos. Thank you for writing honestly. I wish the higher ups were listening.
Thank you so much for this. #TRUTHBOMB!!!!
I only have 1 kid and I don’t work so I don’t know how you guys are doing anything but surviving. I just have him do one thing a day and then we just binge watch anime shows.
Amen × 100. My kids are burnt out on 1 to 2 hours zoom meetings, THEN hours of work on technology that is not up to the task. 3rd graders aren’t meant to sit at a computer and type their math. My college students are struggling with transitioning to online. It’s a mess. I’m exhausted. And YES let’s keep paying teachers and let them check in, support, and love.
THIS! I can’t believe we are doing this to our kids and our teachers. It is unfair and unkind.
I agree. I’m going nuts. I can’t do it anymore.
Ashley
Mom of 4
Thank you – from a teacher
As A teacher, I share many of your same thoughts! We put together 3 weeks of “enrichment” work and made it available in paper and online formats. Pick up, log in, it’s up to you! We were told by our DOE that it was NOT to be collected or graded. It was simply available for parents to have available as a way for them to give students something to do. I have reached out to all of my families that I have been able to contact and told them to do what they can, when they can! Don’t battle your kids about doing the work! There are so many other important things happening right now that take priority!!! Housing, food, income, mental health, safety!!!! These are a priority!!!!!
I honestly can’t imagine how many kids are able to function and concentrate on school work during this time! We as adults are struggling to keep it together!!!! We are constantly worried about so many things that are much bigger that a month or two of school work!!!
This is what I have told my families, do what you can! You are the parent, if it’s not working, it’s not working!!!! Don’t force it! Do other things!!! Go on a virtual field trip! Lots of online resources that are free! Talk to your kids about how they are doing, what are they scared about? What worries them? Check in on their mental health! Have them make cards or thank you posters for first responders! Take pictures of them and email it to your local hospitals, nursing homes, fire departments, police departments, grocery store clerks, etc. Teach them about kindness, compassion, having pride in the work that you do! Talk about your family’s history, look at old photos. Talk about your ethnic background. Research the culture, try and make a cultural dish. There are so many other things that incorporate learning and depth of learning that don’t require video meetings with teachers teaching lessons!
Work with you kids where they are at!!! If it means that you hang out in your PJ’s drinking cocoa and blowing bubbles in the backyard, then that’s what it means! Take picture of your kids blowing bubbles, then have them write about it! Connect and engage with your kids!!!
Our world is really scary right now, everyone is doing the best that they can! Support each other, love each other, give each other the benefit of the doubt, cut people some slack! You are your child’s best advocate! Make choices that are in their best interest.
Yup! Not really sure how you are still alive with 4 of them. I have 1 public Montessori kindergartener. He is expected to do like 6 hours of work per day from 2 different teachers and 3-4 google classrooms. I didn’t sign up for this shit. I am making him hate school. And also the stuff they are having us complete daily he has never completed ever at school. Today I looked up what kids should know by the end of kindergarten. I’m just gonna do my best that he knows that shit.
I stopped. After our third fucking family meltdown over zoom and worksheets, I emailed my son’s teachers and just said he would be absent for the rest of the year and he could be assessed whenever school began again. He’s smart. He will catch up if he even gets behind. There comes a point where you have to stop pretending, face reality that something has to give, and it is NOT going to be my fucking mental health due to online school. Not happening. And it has been….a godsend. He plays video games, he has been learning to make his own grilled cheeses, (he’s 8). Everyone is happier. There’s more important things to life right now.
Amen. I have 5 kids (ages 10, 8, 8, 8, and 4), we homeschooled until Fall ‘18….this is next level BS. I know how to homeschool. I know how to teach my kids.
Our schools are only closed until April 29th and I already told my kids and husband, if it goes much beyond that I’m withdrawing them from school and will enroll them in the fall.
The inane emails with another resource to “help” is crap. The checking that the kids have done some of their online stuff…whatever. We will do what we can. I’m not going to crash my or my childrens’ mental health over this.
Sone teachers have been awesome, and some I’d really like to have words with (like my son’s speech therapist who mailed us some work sheets and when I asked said we’re not doing zoom sessions….for SPEECH! WTF!)
Love this writeup, I really do! But conflicted here. My son goes to a private school that is tech-focused. It’s a small school and so each kid has an iPad or chromebook for the year. During spring break we had to pick it up. School resumed (but remotely) when spring break ended. There is a dedicated IT teacher, and parents have helped set up a portal for the students to use. They’d already been using Google classroom. My son in in grade 2. The teachers set up daily meetings and video lessons etc. School is business as usual, except the fact that I have to keep an eye on him to stay focused, otherwise he knows what to do and how to do it. Of course this is tough for me as well with my husband working full time and I have a 4 year old and a baby to keep out of his way which is near impossible.
I do understand though this is obviously not an option for everyone, and I do see a lot of friends in the same boat you are representing.
Omg LOL. I’m totally the mom that needs the cookie, but also my kids have played Animal Crossings for 5 days straight, which is why it’s working so well here.
You said it! I literally couldn’t care less if they told me my 3rd and 1st grade had to repeat the whole damn year. Who gives a shit! Nobody is going to ask them when they are 30 years old if they ever had to repeat a grade in school. Know why? Because nobody cares! Even if it did come up so would the fact that it happened during the Covid-19 pandemic which would immediately take precedent in the conversation. So why make us all bat shit crazy over 2 months of school. This is harming families that are already anxiety ridden, overwhelmed, and over burdened. This needs to stop now!
Thank you from a family of 5…
2 full time live online HS teachers with 3 (ages 7, 10, 13) online learning children…
FUCK THIS!!!!
All of this! Thank you from a teacher who can’t believe what is being asked of children, parents and teachers. This is not normal and acting like it is is crazy making
In today’s society half the children in the world need to take their grade over anyway, so during this frightening time for children, they should have to worry about lessons just to keep them distracted. My husband and I live in separate homes right now so I have our 3 girls and work from home alone. FUCK COVID SCHOOLING
I’m sorry-but I quite frankly fucking disagree. Shut the fuck up. You have 2 adults in the house? Oh boohoo-let me cry for you to have 2 adults to maintain and look after every day life. Are you fucking seriously going to complain about working? Give me a god damn break selfish bitch. There are so many unemployed people who would LOVE to have to work at home AND be able to keep up with school work.
Please-its time to put on your big girl panties-grow the fuck up and take care of shit. You sound like an entitled prissy ass white bitch who breaks down when a little struggle comes into your life. I have friends who are single parents-who are working and making sure their kids are getting school done WHILE having plenty of time to be kids (as much they can during this time) and they are doing it without the bitching and moaning like you are. It’s called life-fucking deal with it.
Shut the fuck up
Bethany – you’re single parent friends are bitching and moaning too – trust me – I am a single parent of two kids working from home and doing online education with my kids. Your friends just might not be doing it to you because you don’t sound like someone who would be very understanding. Your friends also don’t have a public platform like Jill’s to air their grievances. There are more days than I would care to admit that I would like to throw in the towel on this whole working from home while trying to teach and parent my kids who are bored. There have been really good days where we have rocked everything and there have been some really bad days when I just wanted to cry. My kids watch more TV and play way more tech than I normally ever let them. I’m grateful they have teachers that are also parents of young children because they understand our struggles.
With all of that being said, NONE of this is easy for ANYONE. We all have our own struggles. There are ups and downs. It is a new normal to get used to right now. Jill was using her personal space (that happens to have a lot of followers) to vent. I’m sure it is not much different than a bitch session that many of us have had with some close friends or some of us have even written about it in our journals.
One thing to to remember – Choose KINDNESS.
You are the worst
I’m a teacher and I just wish they would call it off! I’m so damn tired. My district is putting out updated “guidelines” (requirements) weekly of what to send out, how to send it out, how to grade it… do you know how fucking IMPOSSIBLE it is to put everything I say and do and show my kids in one Algebra lesson onto PAPER for kids who don’t have internet? Now times two, because I also teach PreAlgebra. Now times three lessons a week. Now you don’t know when it’s going to end because they only tell you two weeks at a time that the school is staying closed. Teaching is a CONVERSATION and I’m only putting half of it out there – and if you’re a struggling reader, GOOD FUCKING LUCK reading about MATH!
This post and all the comments should go viral.
I guess having kids isn’t as great as everyone said it’d be? Where are y’all now with your comments to us child-free folk telling us how magical having kids are and that it’s the greatest joy? Yeah, mostly crickets now.
Kids ARE amazing and awesome! But when I decided to take on being a mother, I NEVER planned on being a school teacher. Parents DO teach but not at school teaching level. This time with virus, NO one could prepare for, so we ALL deserve a break just to get used to the pandemics new ‘rules’ Less stress will help us ALL.
If you regret not having children ( my assumption) embrace the silver lining that you are not additionally challenged with homeschooling 🙂
You specifically sought out a blog where someone was struggling with parenting during a world wide epidemic to spout your shit about child free living. You must feel so superior.
Amen!
Teachers pay is already fully budgeted so paying them shouldn’t be an issue.
Having kids is wonderful. Having grandkids is wonderful. Having expectations of families right now is nonsense.
My kids are more precious to me than ever. Even amongst all this worry and chaos, they are a gift and I will try even harder to beat secondary infertility and have another.
Agreeeeeed
You are my soul sister! I loved every single syllable. I am a teacher, and the stress I feel about what to do and how to do it and if I am giving too much or not enough. It’s too freaking much because I also have three children (one in high school, one in middle, and one in elementary) who aren’t jazzed about doing schoolwork when they basically think they are on summer break. Thank you for your words. I felt them to the CORE!!! Your authentic voice is perfection!!
Jill thank you! As a mom of 5 kids in 4 different grades. It’s busywork let’s be real!!! Thought I was the only one silently feeling this way!
I think I need you to be my new best friend! You’re my hero! Thank you for putting what has been on my mind and in my heart, into words! I shared this post on my Facebook and everyone agrees- fuck COVID school! Hang in there everyone! Stay safe (and sane)!
OMG THANK YOU
THANK YOU!!!! I LOVE YOU FOR SPEAKING UP! THIS IS HOW MOST OF US ARE FEELING. IT IS AWFUL. I ALMOST DIED FROM FUCKING COVID19 WHILE MY KIDS WATCHED!!! And yes it is ridiculous that the teachers are getting paid to send out assignments and harass us parents with emails about due dates! WTF!!! DId I mention I was on my DEATH BED for 2 weeks! Then the whole family got it. Not as severe as mine thank God. We have NO zoom calls or shit! The distric told me to reach out to the teachers if I needed them to “re-teach” something to my child! WTF! It was never taught to my child the first time! My husband and I both are in healthcare and had to go back to work as soon as we were able. I totally agree- FUCK COVID SCHOOL! And the person who mentioned a “10 hr day” is fucking insane. I have 3 kids, one w special needs, lost 4 weeks of pay, husband lost 3 weeks of pay and busting our ass to save other peoples lives. Even if we worked at fucking Lubys there is no such thing as ONLY a 10 hr day with more than 1 kid, 2 working parents, and fucking COVID school. I would LOVE a 10 hr day even just once a month!
Yes it’s difficult totally agree. imagine actually having to go out into the workforce on a daily basis, take care of Covid pts leaving exhausted, be an essential worker in grocery, gas, power, police, fire etc and then having to assist your kids with school, do the shopping, half the cleaning, etc. The difference between you blogger and I are two fold: 1. My children deserve a high quality education and also have a voice in my house which states this learning is not ideal however I have goals. See them learning sometimes life completely sucks but you don’t get to quit and say F**K IT is a life lesson with exceptional value. 2. We won’t be making excuses because the situation sucks/ is difficult , we will in fact ensure our kids start the 20-21 school year at our above standard regardless of the battle, the exhaustion or the uphill climb, we aren’t looking to raise kids who are ok with just getting by, we have decided it’s far more beneficial to our daughters to raise them to be strong independent women who can stand up for themselves and others all while strategizing a plan for this academic year. Learn to think outside the box and be a problem solver, learn to proactively engage in confrontation and discussion. Dear god stop being complacent because all our kids got dealt a crappy hand and take action.
Thank you, Shannon. My thoughts exactly. I live in NYC and feel like this blog post was huge insult to essential workers who are clocking 100+ hour weeks and all they want to do is spend time with their kids. Jill Krause, instead of complaining and yelling FUCK THIS during covid, why don’t you say something like “wow, homeschooling kids is so difficult right now. I’m lucky that I’m a successful blogger, spent the last year traveling the country, and can flexibly work from home, because all these healthcare workers that have families must really be going through hell right now. Let’s applaud them.” But no, your attitude is FUCK everything. Very disappointed that your rhetoric is so angry, while the people who are on the front lines and actually making a difference have the opposite attitude. Be better than this.
PERFECTLY said!!
Love & Light to ALL. ❤️🙌🏻
Jill Krause for POTUS! 🙂
Thank you so much for speaking the truth! Both parents work in my household, kids are left to their own devices alot of the time unfortunately. I tried the school thing, really tried but my kids were working ALL DAYS OF THE WEEK to finish the ass load of assignments that were being dealt out. With A BARRAGE OF CONSTANT LATE OR MISSING OR NEW ASSIGNMENTS NOTIFICATIONS. This is absolutely ridiculous. A few assignments a week may be manageable but not 20 or more. Literally 20 assignments in one week for my fourth grader. I assume the ISDs are masking their agenda of maintaining their state funding by saying it’s for the betterment of the children but I say it’s not worth it at the sake of the children’s mental health as well as parent’s. I’m done, fuck this bullshit.
Yes! I love you! Thus is me 100%. It’s NOT working.
I am a teacher and a mom of 3 kids (6,4,2). I have a child with significant needs, a typical learner, and a feral toddler as well. Your blog has made me feel seen and heard. Loved all the F bombs by the way.
OMG! Thank you!!! I am a teacher not a mom. Hats off to all moms homeschooling during this horrible time. I am overwhelmed as are many of my colleagues, especially teacher moms. It is so frightening to get emails from my district. The expectations are so unrealistic(teaching new material, standard based lessons, zoom lessons, etc…) We have voiced our concerns about overwhelming parents with new technology, apps, websites, digital lessons, phone calls, emails and texts. The district is determined that school must go on. I understand that, but how do you do that during covid and high unemployment. This is an extraordinary time.
THANK YOU for this!!! I felt like THE crappiest mom alive for hating COVID school as much as I do! I literally dread every week day having to get my daughter up and logged into her first “class” at 9am as I’m trying to login to my 9am meeting at work, then spending 6 hours nagging her to try to get her to do 2 hours of class work , all while I’m still “working”, fielding emails from 4 different teachers, trying to keep the household from falling a part, and hold on to the remainder of my slowly slipping sanity! No to mention the sheer impossibility of what is going to happen when I go back to work at my office and she’s still remote learning- like wtf! How is that even remotely going to work?!?
Thank you for this! We specifically did not go to school to be educators – we pay our taxes so qualified people do it. I agree to pay teachers and just let them check on their at risk kids and provide materials to the minority of parents that can make this work. I am fine with my kids doing summer school if quarantine lifted by then and/or repeating a grade. We can’t do this. We’re stressed and tired and stretched thin and not educators.
OMG! I’m just another person on her to comment and say the same thing. Gd bless you for putting it out there. I have a 4th grader, 1st grader and THREE in kindergarten. My depression and anxiety is now through the roof because of trying to keep on top of all their schooling. We just can’t keep up! Four of them can’t even access their google classroom assignments without hands on help. The 1st grader with ADHD can’t sit still long enough and needs someone with him all the time. The triplets all learn in different ways and at different levels. One of them definitely has ADD so needs real guidance to keep him on task. I am not a teacher. I am definitely not a special ed teacher. I think the teachers are doing a fantastic job of doing what they are being told to do – but I’m not sure it’s the right thing for them, for the students, or for the parents. Reading this just really resonated. Thank you!!
I love you. I love everything about this article. Ev.e.r.y.fucking.thing
Not saying I agree or disagree with anything said here but many kids don’t have a nurturing environment or engagement at home. Maybe keeping them distracted can also be a good thing and they can be someone protected from abuse or other things since people will see them daily. But IDK.
Great blog. Mom of five adult children. Our son and his wife are trying to remotely school an 11 year old with ADD, a six year old with severe autism and also have a feral not quite three year old son. IT IS NOT WORKING. Both our son and his wife had learning disabilities and IEP’s. They are not capable of teaching. Plus our son is still physically going to work. The 11 year old WILL NOT stay on task without her mother screaming over her. The autistic six year old will not stay on task when her older sister is watching TV or playing outside. The 2-1/2 year old??? Been there, done that 5 times. This is such a stressful period for those of us without children. It’s even more stressful since they recently moved into a new house in a new town so the oldest has no friends and is not even enrolled in the school system in the town they now live in. There’s too much other stuff to stress over right now, just keeping our families fed, safe and ALIVE. Parent’s shouldn’t be having nervous breakdowns over their inability to properly remotely school their children when it is not by their choice. So yes F*** Coivd school. If a child needs to repeat a year of school it’s not the end of the world. In the great scheme of things it’s trivial. Staying safe, keeping our families safe and a roof over our heads are the priorities right now. School, way down the bottom of the list.
Hey all! I’m a private tutor, and I WOULD LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK. My team and I are here to help parents during this wackadoodle time. We offer solutions to the hair pulling online learning, but I’m constantly looking for feedback as this unfolds each day to support parents the best way possible. Please feel free to email me at hello@MDetroitTutoring.com if you want to give me your answer to: what is the single biggest frustration about online learning? Is it keeping things organized, getting the kids to do the work, or you teaching the lessons? Peace, love & virtual hugs, I’m in this with you. xo Ashley
Exactly fucking right!!! Thank you! I too am a Mom of four- 7th grader, 4th grader, pre-schooler and 18 month old-plus my husband and his grumpy ass elderly father who lives with us! I can hardly keep up around here as it is. It’s just so overwhelming and hella distracting for all of us to be homeschooling. We participated fully in everything until the end of the third quarter, it was like a ‘mad dash’ to get it all done, while other priorities were being neglected plus going insane from frustration, we managed to get it done. Then I receive an email from teachers saying that since only 25% of students submitted their work online, it will only be counted as extra credit and not graded work. Really!? That was the point in time I literally said “fuck this!”
OMG!!!!! Thankyou Thankyou THANK YOU!!!! My thoughts exactly! My ex’s fam and daughter’s teachers had me believing (for a while) that I was the ONLY one struggling with homeschooling AND working!? Comments like, “We are homeschooling AND working over here” implying I should be able to, too. Ex’s household consists of: 4 adults-(2 retired parents and a married couple that work from home) and 3 kids … 1 in school. Sooooooo there’s DRAMATICALLY different dynamics there.
I’m a single mother, working outside of home with a daughter that has mild learning disability. I tell you, I’ve NEVER been more challenged than I have been with the covid AND homeschooling in my entire life! So, thank you again for seeming like a good mom who says fuck covid because I was beginning to think I was a terrible one 🙁
I’ve been sitting here for three last hour googling shit like ” distance learning sucks ” totally to feed my confirmation bias because I’m trying not to loose my mind over not understanding my 6 year old’s ipad . It didnt come with the apps download, or a catalog of ones we needed, or the passwords and we dont even know what she does and doesnt need to do. It’s a freaking nightmare. I just missed a zoom conference with her teacher because I was showering.
Thank you thank you thank you. I needed some validation. This shit isn’t working. Nobody is learning. Let’s quit kidding ourselves and patting ourselves on the back for how quickly we “pivoted” into online learning. Let’s take some time to help ourselves and our families achieve some peace and take care of our mental health first. I was on my 17 year daughter’s computer doing her Phys. Ed “assignment” for her to give her a break. A complete time wasting, writing assignment for PHYS. ED! when a text came through from a friend, telling her another friends dad just shot himself. Another friends parents are getting a divorce. Families are falling apart. We all need a break to process.
I literally found this article by googling “can I just say ‘fuck it’ to covid schooling”. This came up first and it’s so refreshing to know we aren’t the only one feeling this way.
I’m DONE homeschooling… this is FUCKING BULLSHIT.
I have covid school and my absolutely “amazing” and “fair” school is making us do about 5 assignments a day and 3 zoom meetings a day, and every single thing we do is graded, this went on from April 1st to June 23rd
Its fucking mental torment I have enough shit to deal with during the pandemic
9th grader
I found this article by googling “am I a bad parent because this online “learning” (I use that term loosely) isn’t working for my kid” I’m drowning with a special needs High Schooler at home. There was no plan even considered to accommodate her (and as I understand it MANY Special Ed/IEP kiddos) despite assurances all summer long from the district that they were “ working on distance learning 2.0 to meet the students’ needs.” Thank you for your words…though from 5 months ago, they are helping this tired and struggling mom feel just a little less of a “shitty parent.” Deep breath and onward I go… 🙏🏻
Amen. You are 100% on target. As an elementary teacher and child of two pre- kindergartners, I could not agree with you more.
I am tired of the denial that this is actually working for kids. It might be working for a fraction of the children maybe. And probably not even that. I’m looked at as a trade her for not wanting my children to go through with this distance-learning at age 4. I am looked at a traitor with a bad attitude because I am simply speaking the truth it for the youngest and for special Ed kids, this is not working.
I literally stumbled across your blog by typing in fuck distance-learning. Not kidding. I was just in a moment after enduring many of the things you mentioned above and googled it.
Please do not publish my email.
Excuse my typos in the above comment. I meant to say traitor. What can I say, I use audio texting without proofreading much. I have twins
Preach! I’m so over this remote learning. It’s a complete waste of F***ing time and energy. My 2nd grader hasn’t learned anything new. I’m sick of being the teacher’s assistant, last time I checked people got paid for this. I have anxiety just waking up knowing that I have to deal with remote learning. I’d much rather have workbooks than stupid Zoom. The only thing remote learning has taught my son was how to navigate through school apps and Zoom. We all need a break!
I think I love you!! 😉
You say &*UCK Covid School. WHAT’S REALLY FUNNY IS THAT YOU CAN ALL SEE HOW CRAPPY YOUR KIDS ARE!!!! They SUCK at academics because NO ONE at home makes them TRY. Yes that means you are a LAME parent. Hope your kids say &*UCK You when it’s time for you to go into a retirement home. Teach them NO RESPONSIBILITY. They will be 40 years old living in your basement complaining about the crappy internet connection to play video games with. It’s a great future for ALL CANADIANS. You minimal efforts will result in an AWESOME outcome for our country. Here’s your cookie. NOW GO.
You probably aren’t going to read this but I’m 14 and this year was meh for me I don’t know why it still consider it an okay year because being home for this long really fucks with you introvert or not your all alone no ones there for you its so hard to care about anything I feel like I’m fighting to keep my head above the water and I’m spending more time under trying not to kill my self than I am feeling okay. I’ve been like this before Covid but I’m locked in my head thinking about everything I cant remember that caused me to be so fucked up. I’m drinking and smoking my life away. i care about my grades so much but no matter how much I try to force myself to do the work I cant my absence for this semester just hit the third didget. Honestly don’t know If I’m just going to fail the year because I cant sit down for an hour and listen to a teacher re-read all the the assignment descriptions I’ve already read. Its so brain numbing Its faster for me to finish all the work for the week than it is to attend my zooms for a day. Fuck being stupid right now would be so hard I’m trying not to breakdown and get back into having panic attacks 4 times a day again. I have so many people screaming at me daily that I need to do my shit when I’m trying my hardest but still cant get up in the morning I hate myself so much because Its like I’m wasting time instead of using it even though i want to use it. I did all the work for my first semester in 3 days. and now I’m doing the second in 2 weeks it makes me sad that school only takes this much time but I cant do it still. I’ve been staying up for days I was up for 90 hours a few days ago fucking 90 I’m so nauseous all the time I feel like I’m spectating myself I don’t mean that i have no control I literally feel like I’m controlling a body that’s not mine like a VR game. (I’ve never actually player VR) I dont know anymore.
You should stop having children.
It seems you don’t really like them or have the energy to actually take care of them.
This article was dripping with me, me, me vibes and while it hard to deal with your children during a pandemic the entire world a hundred or so years ago all the way back to the start of time homeschooled their kids many times while fighting to just survive.
Just thought you might want to check yourself and stop acting like taking care of your kids or remote learning is just so hard.
Also, turn off the damn streaming of things other than school all day and you bandwidth will be fine. I am on a house of four adults all streaming and we never slow down so your internet issues are either too much streaming of non school materials or your plan is too low bandwidth and needs to be adjusted.
But don’t let me stop you from blaming everyone else including your kids for your lack of being a parent.