A Cup of Grace
/I don’t know about yours, but my social media feed has lots of posts about parents anxious about sending their children back to school. There are posts modeling how to support different decisions parents make for their kids, whether that’s home schooling, virtual learning or in classroom. Never has there been more fear and worry about the start of the school year.
Since the beginning of the pandemic I’ve been concerned for families - parents working from home or not able to and struggling to keep kids busy and safe with schools closed, families where mental health issues have been exacerbated, families where domestic violence has increased due to the stress and demands of this time, families where children or parents are immune compromised and fear is very present, and split families with shared custody trying to navigate visits. Now, the unthinkable is being asked of some - send your children back to a poorly thought out plan with difficulty distancing so you can go back to work and the kids can socialize and have routine or allow access to extended family who may be immune compromised.
Our families always need our support and encouragement, but right now they need it more than ever. They have all been forced to take on more than usual and to make difficult decisions. For those trying to work at home and supervise learning of their kids they are stretched to the max and exhausted. On top of the fatigue are mixed emotions, whether guilt, frustration, anger and others, and the desire to do the right thing without great information.
What can we do for our families to let them know that we stand with them? You can probably think of many more ideas, but here are some to prime the pump:
commit to praying for your families - the parents or other caregivers and the children
take time in a service before school goes back to acknowledge how challenging this year’s transition back to school will be and to pray for them in worship and offer a blessing and support
connect with parents specifically and give them space to vent and share their stories of the last several months - be a listener not a fixer
put together a ziploc bag or pencil case with fun supplies for school for your kids to remind them that they are remembered and cared about - include a scripture reminding them that God goes with them and have a safe pick up time at the church or do porch drop offs
organize a socially distanced gathering at a park to allow your kids to see each other and build confidence/skills with being with others safely (tricky with younger ones but possible - ensure that caregivers/parents attend) - play some simple games that allow for space between each other and provide a carefully prepared snack (even popsicles or ice cream sandwiches or freezies would do)
find sewers in the congregation to make child-size masks from kid-friendly fabrics as a gift to use at school or wherever they go
pray in worship services regularly for your families and thank the kids for all that they have done so far to keep each other and the community safe - they have given up a lot
get volunteers to video and post themselves reading hopeful and inspiring picture books or just offering a message of support and encouragement to your kids
You can probably think of more great ideas that fit your context. Have fun being creative in the next week or two and challenge your people to stand shoulder to shoulder with your families. This is an amazing opportunity to reassure them that their faith community is with them in this time and that they matter.
May all our families know that they are loved and lifted up in this unprecedented time.