Back to School

Feeling pretty defeated today. 

I can't even with the back to school. In the whole scheme of things, I should be grateful. My kids are heading back to school in person 5 days a week without a mask requirement. So I should take these small graces and be thankful. There is no doubt that perspective is key right now and there are busloads of people who would swap places for these circumstances.

The two middles (my 4 and 6 year old) are heading to preschool and kindergarten respectively and the elder is headed to the middle school. None of them have ever been to the buildings they'll be attending before and are, rightly so, nervous.

They're having a back to school "meet the teacher" night for the middles, but due to road construction, they're having the event at the middle school, not the elementary building. So while they'll meet their teacher (no more than 3 minutes, people), they still won't know where their classroom is or anything in the building for that matter.

Parents are not allowed in the building(s). Except in urgent/emergent circumstances. 

The administration assures us that there will be staff at all the entrances to help direct the students where they need to be. Explain to me how staff that have never met my child or have met them for less than 3 minutes are going to be able to pick them out of the crowd of 100(s) of students swarming the entrance at the same time and know exactly, simultaneously where all the kids need to go. Goat. Fuck.

But we're also assured that if we maintain a "positive, adventurous" attitude, our children won't be scared, but excited.

I don't particularly care for fruity nonsense like that. I also don't particularly care to feel like I'm being forced to abandon my child when they're feeling vulnerable.

I get it. It's a pandemic. Nobody's fault (it kind of is, I mean...China). I'd like to believe the school is trying their best. Everyone is crabby about this situation and I don't want to be one of those parents that whines and throws a fit about every decision. I also don't typically hover or baby my children. Challenges like these help cultivate their independence and confidence. But I'll also firmly maintain that knowing they can rely on their parents for support in new and scary situations is critical for development at this stage as well. 

It's also just a memory I'm not willing to give up. Walking my son into school on his FIRST day. Ever. Again, I get it. Lots of people have lost, given up, and made compromises they weren't happy with due to Covid. 

But I'll venture to say, most of it, not necessary. Over the top. Ridiculous precedents created to pander to social justice warriors. OR weenies. 

We said, hey there's a pandemic. Distance yourself from people, wash your hands, wear a mask. Use common sense. Some I'll do, some I won't, depending on the circumstances. Except the common sense. That I always try to do.

Then individual states, groups, and parties took it upon themselves to expound upon those. Ridiculous rules like stand 20 feet apart from everyone if you're playing a trombone and put a mask on your instrument. Don't go to church. Wipe down every surface you touch with a sani-wipe. Wear a mask by yourself in your car. Don't sing. 

Dude. If I wanna sing, I'm gonna freaking sing. If you don't want to be near me when I'm singing, then don't be. Here's the great thing about America. You don't have to. Or you can. It's awesome. Personal choice for your own life is an amazing thing.

Here's the other kicker. Not a one of us is getting out of here alive. I take more risk with my children by putting them in my car or on the freaking school bus than I ever could by exposing them to the coronavirus. All day. Every day. Risks. This crusade to eliminate every ounce of covid risk for every single being is so over the top that it's laughable. If I were truly worried about an infectious disease for my kids it would be influenza. 

I realize covid has deadly implications for some people and that's devastating. But it's more devastating for an entire generation of people to stop living their lives for the sake of a few. We can take precautions THAT MAKE SENSE to help protect those most at risk, THEY can take precautions to protect themselves. 

The rest of us, should be able to go about our business. Like taking my kid IN to school on the first day. Thanks.