Returning to School after Lockdown, a Parent’s Perspective
The pandemic has been challenging for everyone, but particularly parents. Parents have had to face impossible choices across the UK, looking after their children or keeping up to date with their livelihood. Other parents have had to deal with several children at a time whilst keeping their sanity in check. But now, we must prepare our children for returning to school after lockdown.
In this article, mother-of-two Dania discusses her feelings regarding the planned reopening of schools this spring.
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Are we ready for returning to school after lockdown?
It is fair to say that many parents, myself included, are counting down the days or perhaps minutes for when it will be safe for children to return to school. Describing the past few months as a “struggle” is an understatement.
However, it is easier said than done. Are children prepared for yet another change? How has this lockdown impacted them? The biggest question is, will we have to repeat this all over again down the line?
When schools initially closed
When Prime Minister Boris Johson announced that schools would be closed back in March 2020, none of us could have predicted that we would be in the same position a year later. We were all shocked and worried but still hopeful for normality to kick back in. The world had come to a sudden stop as we baked banana bread and enjoyed our family’s company. Children adapted to this new way of life quickly and most likely enjoyed the idea of not going to school.
As September approached, some were wary of the return, and some embraced it with open arms. However, we couldn’t have expected to do it all over again in January.
This time around, the pressure was felt more widely, with fewer employers willing to furlough their workforce. A recent poll surveying over 2000 women highlighted that they had either resigned or had to leave their day jobs after Christmas 2020.
As a result, families have been negatively affected and continue to be challenged both financially and emotionally.
Readjusting to normality after lockdown
After lockdown, returning to school will be a period of change and uncertainty yet again for children and young people. We so lovingly assured them that they would be just fine back in September, and it is unlikely for children who contract that virus to have dangerous effects on them. But yet again, they had to stay at home. Preparing them for the return this time around may be more challenging than last time, as we have already broken that trust.
As adults have already found this to be a challenging time, and our anxieties have hit the roof. However, children are experiencing anxiety too. Depending on their age, your child might be feeling nervous about leaving home all-day and spending time apart from you. They’re no doubt excited to see their friends, but if your child is a victim of bullying, the return to school may not come as welcome news. Therefore, it may take time to readjust to life back at school and a new daily routine. Each family will need to find their new normal slowly.
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Tips to prepare your child for returning to school after lockdown:
There are some ways you can help your child to deal with what is about to come and support them in returning to school this spring.
Be transparent with your child about the return to school.
It’s a parental instinct to hide and protect our children from the worst. However, on this particular occasion, we honestly need to tell them the truth of what is happening.
Be transparent; the unpredictability of the times we live in means that there may be another lockdown. There is a possibility they may contract the virus. Answer any questions as honestly as you can, or you may lose their trust completely. If you haven’t got all of the answers, that’s ok too. Explain that you don’t know right now.
However, this can also depend on your child’s age; you may need to be broader with your younger children. You can also rely on age-appropriate tools such as books to help understand what is going on. I would highly recommend the book “When the world went inside.”
Acknowledge possible anxieties and be aware of mental health
Many children can be anxious about returning to school, especially when we have told them there is a scary virus going around. They may have also overheard how serious it can be. As previously pointed out, always be truthful. Let them communicate why they are anxious.
It would be a good idea to tackle this from an early stage, maybe bring the idea up of going back to school and monitor their reaction. If you feel they have become anxious about the idea, ask what makes them feel so nervous.
Some children may benefit from writing up a worry list, which can help you tackle each worry calmly and slowly. However, some children may be more reserved and may take time to open up about their anxieties. Allow them to have that space but don’t avoid it.
Academic pressure
Many children have found it challenging to keep up with school work remotely.
According to the Oxford Language report, 92% of teachers believe the will be a “word gap”. What this means is that children’s vocabulary may be below age-related expectations. This has widened following school closures.
Some children may be excited to get back into learning and need our enthusiasm, but some are just not ready. And that is ok. Academic pressure may result in the child feeling anxious and will result in them falling further behind. All they need from us right now is love and support the rest will gradually come.
About the author:
Dania is a mother of two and has been writing for almost five years. She has recently created her motherhood community, “Mom Thinks”. Dania is an expert in writing articles about Education, Lifestyle and Parenthood.
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