This weekend is one filled with anxiety for many as our community prepares to go back-to-school. I know it is in our home as we prepare for an uncertain year ahead. Our homes are doing more jobs than they were intended for. Home is a place to sleep and eat but now it’s also your gym, your office and your schoolhouse. With the cramped quarters and daily monotony can come feelings of stress and even depression. If ever there was a time to stop and focus on mental health, it is now.
Parents are already exhausted from months of working while caretaking. They are trying to figure out how to make it all work: working (if they could keep their jobs), keeping their kids educated and childcare. Some are doing distance learning. Some are homeschooling. Some are sending their kids to an in-person school. Some have hired teachers or tutors. They have made decisions that make this impossible situation work for their family. Give them a pat on the back. They are doing the best they can.
Please be kind to them.
Kids have gone many months without friends. The little ones may think school happens on a screen. The older ones may feel the disappointment of missing their friends, sports, extracurricular activities and just getting out of the house. Some have special needs, parents who don’t speak English or who are at work all day. Give kids a break. They are trying their best.
Be kind to them.
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Teachers are navigating a back-to-school unlike any other. They dove into learning new technology, remote teaching methods and altering their tried-and-true curriculum. They are trying to figure out how they will teach your kids while theirs sit right next to them trying to learn too. Support them. They are doing their best.
Be kind to them.
This is a back-to-school unlike any we have ever seen. Let’s all show each other respect, kindness and love. We don’t get to control the conditions making this such a unique fall but we do get to control our response. Hold each other up. Give the benefit of the doubt. Let’s make an extra effort to put ourselves in our neighbors shoes.
Let’s make this the best back-to-school it can be by being kind.
Giselle Hale is a member of the Redwood City Council.Â
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.