Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth. ~Psalm 127:3-4
The above photo of our grandchildren, Virginia, Savannah and Alexandra, right before the first day of school, which happened the day after Labor Day. But school, as it turns out, is a far cry from being back to normal.
The girls only attend in-person classes on Monday and Tuesday; my daughter, Sarah, has to help them with their lessons Wednesday through Friday. There is no timetable in place at this juncture as to when students can return to a full week of in-school classes. And when the grands to go to school, masks are required at all times.
I feel so sorry for all of them, even though they still look cute in their masks, but most of all, my heart breaks for Alexandra. This is her kindergarten debut, and since she's never attended preschool, it is also her first introduction to a classroom setting. As no parents are allowed into the building, she is escorted by a masked stranger to her classroom. How nervous she must have felt! To top it off, she can't see the full faces of her teacher or fellow students as they vanish beneath cloth coverings. How disconcerting not to be able to see friendly smiles at a time when she needs it the most!
And I'm not far off the mark as to how disturbing this is for Alexandra. The next Monday when she is to attend in-person school, the poor girl has a meltdown. It's all her parents can do to convince her that everything will be alright, and to give it another go. Such a difficult concept for a five-year-old, who is probably feeling alone and lonely in this new and scary environment. I mean, when you are discouraged, and even forbidden, to touch other children, how can one make friends?
I hope and pray that Alexandra will be able to adapt sooner than later, and that she will one day be able to look back at her kindergarten year fondly, not fearfully. At least when they are learning at home, Alexandra and her sisters can all enjoy the company of a loyal and loving "school" chum, who is always there for them.
Thank you, Henry!!!
Do you have any stories about your children or grandchildren returning to school this year? Pleas share in the comment section!
Amen!
Life is very difficult these days. I pray for your family and young ones.
ReplyDeleteSo many rules in schools over here. Masks and plastic visors for teachers and staff. Masks for children. Social distancing where possible. Difficult in corridors and play-times.
For elder (college) students a number of lessons are done online via Team/Zoom and such like. Also a number of staff meetings/conferences online too. Study material sent online as well as work, which is done and returned via e-mail for correction/advice. Even some exams done online.
Will life return back to normal as we knew it? Praying so. But then, what is normal these days?
How did it feel for the Jews when they left Egypt? Was that their new normal?
God bless, Martha.
Such an interesting comparison you've made here, Victor, regarding how the Jews must have felt in leaving Egypt! They sure did a lot of complaining, didn't they? I guess many of us are doing the same thing, too, in light of all the limits placed on the way we live our lives right now. Thanks for sharing what students/teachers are having to put up with in the U.K. Sounds so much like here in the states.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Students here were given the option of in-person or online. A good number chose in person. They miss their friends. A couple of our girls are seniors and chose to go to school and wear masks while there. I do feel bad for the kids whose lives are being changed by this whole thing. I hope Alexandra has better memories ahead.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad there is a choice for the students where you live, Bill. For the girls, the schedule is staggered so not so many students are in the building at the same time. Alexandra, thankfully, seems to finally be adjusting to this new schedule, and I hope and pray it only gets better from here on out.
DeleteLove and blessings!
😍
ReplyDeleteThanks, Regine!
DeleteLove and blessings!
No stories to share here. Our grands are all out of college and working. My sister, who teaches 3rd grade (in Ohio) says things are going well. They are in class all five days. Hoping your grandgirls will be okay.
ReplyDeleteThat's so encouraging to know that things are normal in Ohio, Terri. That gives me so much hope that SC will soon follow suit! Glad, too, that your sister feels safe in teaching this year. We need more dedicated educators like her.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh, poor thing! I hadn't thought about these 'sink or swim' scenarios before. But I'll bet she's been given lots of 'atta girl' props from her parents and her sisters. Blessedly, we know the Lord's watching over them even when we can't.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Myra, God is watching out for our precious children even when we can't be there with them every moment. I'm happy to say that Alexandra is managing to adjust, and it should only get better with time. Praise the Lord!
DeleteLove and blessings!
My heart goes out to these little ones, especially Alexandra for her first school experience. I can only imagine how difficult it is for them to keep that mask on all day...and the teachers too. My heart goes out to them. I am so glad I don't have any school age youngsters, and especially glad I am not working in a school. I used to, and that makes me all the more thankful we never faced anything like this before. Praying for your sweet girls. May they find ways to enjoy this school year. Praying for your daughter, too, as she must help them with their lessons the rest of the week. What do families do if both parents have to work? Then who teaches the children? So crazy.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Pam, for your prayers for the girls, and for Sarah, too. She has been a brick through all of this, and I am so proud of her for managing her brood during this time of school transitions. I used to teach, too, and I find myself thankful each and every day that I'm no longer in the classroom. Wearing a mask all day, except to eat lunch, would be so very uncomfortable. And with children being the least likely to contract/transmit the disease, I hope schools will soon come to their senses about the masks for kids.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Will be praying for your grands; as I am for the children here in our community. They're attending school five days a week here, but it's all so very different. As much trouble as this one old guy has adjusting to all the life changes in the past six months or so, I can't imagine what it's like for our little ones.
ReplyDeleteI know, J. D.! Although children tend to be more resilient than us older folk, it's such a strange environment in which they are being thrown. Thankfully, Alexandra morning tantrums are subsiding, and she is acclimating to her new schedule. I'm so grateful to God for that!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I'd recommend homeschooling the children.
ReplyDeleteDebra, I'd love it if Sarah would choose that course to take. Maybe, when all is said and done, that will be her decision, but I have to leave it up to her and her husband to decide. If I lived close by, I'd offer to help with the home schooling!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I wish they were near you. Couldn't think of a better teacher than you, Martha.
DeleteYou are too kind, Debra. Thank you!
DeleteIn my county they have 100 percent online learning. I wonder if they will return in January? I spoke to some students and they do not like it as well. Never dreamed it would be extended this long. Hard for both teachers and students to adapt to.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very difficult situation, indeed, Valerie, and with kids not being even likely to get the virus, it seems silly not to let them be at school in a normal fashion. Yes, I do hope they will return to in-school learning by January.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I go from being sad to being mad at how things have taken such drastic turn. Our daughter is a para at a school and she comes home every day with a new story. She works in kindergarten helping them read. They have four days of school up to six grade. Highschool is two days a week, rotating. It's a mess and for those already behind its almost impossible for them to catch up this year. Some of the elementary is doing at home schooling.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many students with special needs, Betty, who really can't afford being out of a classroom setting. It does break my heart, too, and I'm praying things will return to normal very soon. I can't imagine, too, how many "regular" kids will really miss out on the learning experience.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Praying for all the students and teachers during this season! Martha, the girls are just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHooray for Henry the super cat!🐱
I'm sure every student and teacher out there appreciates those prayers, Beckie. They certainly need them! And yes, I agree, that Henry is a super hero for the grands!
DeleteLove and blessings!
It makes me sad to hear these stories, too. :( Hopefully these trying times will make everyone stronger in the end. It's often hard to see the good in the trials, but I know God can turn them around. Your granddaughters are beautiful, Martha!
ReplyDeleteYes, Lisa, God can certainly turn things around and make everything good in His time. Praying daily for our country and for our teachers and children. And thank you so much for your kind words about the grands - that means so much to me, as I miss them more than words can say!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh the poor little mite, having a melt diet is not unusual for newbies to schoool but minus mumma’s comforting hug and support that seems so mean.
ReplyDeletePraise God He can be there and you and mum can pray fir her, I truly believe that this applies to Rom 8:28. However it’s still no fun and there are aspects of it here.
Dear Martha I also want to thank you for your comments on my Christian blog, you’re always there licketty-split, and with words of cheer it does cheer my heart so, too. As not many comment there it really cheers my heart.
Thanks for being a blessing, and may God bless you too, especially in these unusual times, a blessing to rest simply in Him! Praying you’re all kept well too!
Hugs, Shaz in Oz.x 😊
{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
diet = down fir = for
DeleteThanks so much for your kind and thoughtful words here, Shaz! Yes, these times have been tough, but all three girls are managing to adjust to the new schedules and requirements. Alexandra is finally settling down just as we had hoped she would.
DeleteI do enjoy visiting your blog, my friend, and I'm glad I can cheer your heart. :)
Love and blessings!
Praying for Alexandra's adjustment to in-person Kindergarten. Praying everyone is delighted with surprise at how well she acclimates.
ReplyDelete9 of my grands are homeschooled (the eldest of them are juniors with Liberty University's on-line programs). 2 other of my grands (in a different family and city) are studying on-line while their parents juggle their own work-from-home schedules. They have got it down pretty well by now except that the kindergarten teacher is hard to reach when help is needed. THAT is frustrating.
I did know that you had a large bunch of grands being homeschooled, Barbara. I really wish my daughter would take the plunge and commit to that instead of trying to juggle this insane schedule, but that is her choice. And how frustrating to not have better contact with a kindergarten teacher! That should be her first priority.
DeleteThanks for your prayers for Alexandra - she is starting to adjust.
Love and blessings!
Boa tarde. Parabéns pela reunião familiar. Que Deus abençoe cada vez mais a família de vocês. Vocês tem um grande amigo do Rio de Janeiro.
ReplyDeleteI do have a great friend from Rio, Luiz! I so enjoy your photos of nature and the wondrous sites in your home country. And I wish this was a family reunion, but these are photos my daughter sent to me. With the virus still continuing, my husband and I can't go to visit them in South Carolina.
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Martha, your post is so very touching and also a bit heart-wrenching. My heart is sad for your granddaughters (and for all students and staff). Young children are likely super afraid seeing nearly everyone wearing masks. Honestly, as an adult (with PTSD) I'm struggling with it too.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
I really and truly hear you about the masks, Kim. Fortunately, this week, Alexandra has begun to turn the corner, and is not so dismayed at having to attend school. I do hope that trend continues! And yes, my heart is sad for all teachers and students during these crazy times.
DeleteLove and blessings!
My oldest grandson has the same schedule as your granddaughters but he is scheduled to go back to full-time in-person learning in November. We will see. Another school in his district just had a cluster of COVID cases and had to be temporarily closed. These poor kids. What a mixed-up year! Your grands seem to be resilient!
ReplyDeleteOh, I do hope your grandson will be able to get back to fulltime in-person learning soon, Laurie. Yes, this is one crazy school year, and I'm sure there will be other clusters of Covid popping up here and there as we try to reclaim normal. The girls have been pretty resilient overall, and Alexandra is finally making the adjustment; so thankful for that!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Love the photos/ My daughter the teacher says the kids at school have adjusted amazingly well, much better than adults. Maybe this is why Jesus told us to be like little children. LOL
ReplyDeleteMaybe, that is exactly why Jesus told us we needed to become like little children, Jean. They are much more accepting, flexible, and eager to learn than adults are. I'm glad to know that the children in your daughter's school are doing so well - I have high hopes for my grands, too.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh, Martha! That is just awful. It makes me so sad to see what has happened to our world. I have a hunch a lot of it will suddenly go away after the election. I have never seen a time where the President is so hated and where there are so many tactics to prevent his re-election. I think a lot of people have suspicions about a lot of things right now. I feel very sorry for the children and all they are facing because of the new "guidelines." Nothing is normal anymore, and we surely have to keep our eyes on Jesus at all times.
ReplyDeleteOur world is in a sad state, Cheryl, there's no doubt about that. I feel sorry for the children, too, having to deal with so many rules that seem unnatural, although I'm happy to say that Alexandra is finally adjusting to it all. And yes, we definitely need to keep our eyes constantly on Jesus!
DeleteLove and blessings!