Today I received an email from the online director for our school district. The email talked about the challenges they have faced in the first week of online school and the ways they are trying to remedy the problems. 

In the email, it was mentioned that they have received a number of emails from parents describing a variety of issues they are experiencing. 

As I read this email detailing the things they will be working on, and the ways they are addressing these issues, my heart was overwhelmed with compassion for anyone working in education right now. 

Can you imagine how hard this must be for them? 

Yes, as parents it’s frustrating when the online programs aren’t working, or when our children can’t reach their teacher, or when we receive a message that Zoom is for internal use only—but can you imagine the stress they must be facing on the other side of this? 

RELATED: To My Kids’ Teachers As the School Year Begins

Prior to the pandemic, our school district did not have online learning set up for the children attending schools in a traditional sense. Over the past few months, they have had to develop systems and strategies for teaching every child, both online and in the buildings, in the safest way possible. 

The teachers are learning new programs, and many of them are teaching some classes both in-person and remotely. 

The IT people, administrators, teachers, teachers aids, substitutes—all of them. They all are working incredibly hard for our children and families. 

So here is my plea: let’s cut them some slack. 

Today, after reading the email, I wrote a response of gratitude. I thanked the director for her hard work and acknowledged how hard it must be. I am not saying that to pat myself on the back, but because I feel like this is so important right now. 

We have to support our educators during this challenging time as best as we are able. 

RELATED: Dear Kids, We’ll Make the Best of This School Year Together

It feels like this is one great experiment. We are sending our kids, and the teachers, into these buildings and we aren’t really sure what the outcome will be. Some of these teachers may literally be putting their lives on the line when they step into those buildings with our children. And we all know teachers don’t make much. I was a preschool teacher in a great building that paid well as far as teachers go, but trust me—it still wasn’t much. 

I get it. It’s frustrating. We are tired. We want normalcy. We wish this school year looked like all of the other years before, but the reality is, it doesn’t. And it may not for a while. 

Just like this is the first time our children have started a school year during a pandemic, this is the first time these teachers have taught kids during a pandemic. 

Does this mean we stop advocating for our children? Absolutely not. Does this mean we don’t send an email when our Chromebooks aren’t working? Or when we’ve been kicked off of Zoom again? Nope. We need to communicate our issues and concerns so that the system can continue to work to improve and meet the needs of their students and staff. Our voices are important. 

RELATED: 5 Days of Prayer For Our Nation’s Schools

And so is our tone. So is the way we approach the issues and problems. We have a wonderful opportunity to teach our children how to respond to challenging times and how to troubleshoot when problems arise on a daily basis. Let’s use this opportunity to teach them how to rise above. Let’s not badmouth the teachers or the administration. Let’s not become catty on social media platforms. Let’s be kind. Let’s be supportive of one another. 

What if for every email, or message of concern we sent, we sent two or more messages of gratitude to those who are working so hard right now for our children? 

I seriously can’t imagine what it must be like to walk in the educators’ shoes right now. I can’t imagine how many messages they receive about things not working properly.

What if for every message they had of concern, they had more messages lifting them up? 

As parents, we want what is best for our children. We want them to thrive and to learn in an enriching environment. I believe part of creating that environment is helping to build it up. We don’t want our educators and staff burnt out, stressed out, and worn down. They are carrying a lot of weight on their shoulders. 

Parents, let’s help to lift that weight. Let’s not make a hard situation harder. 

This is our moment to shine. And our children are watching. 

Originally published on the author’s blog

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Check out our new Keepsake Companion Journal that pairs with our So God Made a Mother book!

Order Now
So God Made a Mother's Story Keepsake Journal

Jennifer Thompson

Jennifer Thompson is a freelance writer, preschool art teacher and mother of four with a heart for Jesus. Her work can be found on a number of blogs and parenting publications. Recently relocated from Indianapolis to Nashville, Tennessee. She is a passionate storyteller and believes every person has an important story to tell. We grow when we share. And even more when we listen.  

There’s No Place on Earth More Full of Love than Grandma’s House

In: Grown Children, Living
Grandma helping little girl cook

I have this theory that every grandma’s house has its own smell. For mine, her house always smells like the same perfume she’s worn my whole life. I can’t tell you the name of her perfume, but I can tell you what it looks like and exactly where she keeps it on her bathroom cabinet. Occasionally the smell of freshly baked cookies overpowers the smell of her perfume at my grandma’s house. Knowing her signature recipes, I can tell you within a few seconds of walking in the door just exactly what she has in the oven. I imagine other grandmas’ houses smell...

Keep Reading

This is the Good Part, Don’t Wish it Away

In: Living
Woman standing on beach, color photo

Friendly advice: Don’t fail to realize how much you love something until it’s gone. This goes for so many things in life. The calls from your mom reminding you of mundane things. “Don’t forget your warm coat.” “Did you remember to eat lunch?” I am 44, and no joke, my mom reminds me to go to the bathroom before a long drive. It’s hilarious. I’m old enough to know that someday I will absolutely ache for these calls in the morning. Someday I would give anything to have these reminders. So, I take it all in, I roll with it,...

Keep Reading

To the Woman Navigating Divorce: You Will Get Through This

In: Living, Marriage, Motherhood
Woman with eyes closed standing outside, profile shot

On May 4th, 2023 I was delivered devastating news. My husband no longer loved me, and he wanted to end our marriage. This was the last thing I expected. I tried to get him to work things out, but he was firm on the decision that we were done. My heart broke for my children and what I thought I wanted for my life. As it turns out though, this separation and soon-to-be divorce is probably one of the best things that could have happened to me. It has given me a new appreciation for myself, brought me closer to...

Keep Reading

Dear OCD Mom

In: Living, Motherhood
Mom organizing toys

When you’re an OCD momma, you might request an epidural for labor because you know the lack of pain will calm your brain and help you enjoy the experience. When you’re an OCD momma, you might switch to bottles and formula early if the baby is fussy and seems hungry because you want to find joy in the first year and know they’re eating enough. RELATED: To the Mom Left Worrying While Everyone Else is Asleep When you’re an OCD momma, you might stock up on store-bought baby food because you want your child to eat lots of fruits and...

Keep Reading

Losing My Hair and Finding My Beauty

In: Living
Woman standing near Christmas tree, color photo

I blame my mother. That’s right, I blame her for instilling in my young mind to always strive for outward beauty. “Always pretend that there is a hidden camera out there trying to capture an image of you because the way you look will determine how you are perceived by the world.” I remember my mother used to make fun of my overbite. I would catch her staring at me and mockingly copy how I looked. I never really thought that was funny. As early as 12 years of age, I made it a point not to get out of...

Keep Reading

“It Looks and Tastes Like Candy.” Mom Shares Warning about THC Gummies All Parents Need to Hear

In: Kids, Living, Teen
Hand holding bottle of THC gummies

What Aimee Larsen first thought was a stomach bug turned out to be something much more terrifying for her young son. Her 9-year-old woke up one day last week seeming “lethargic, barely able to stand or speak,” his mom shared in a Facebook post. At first, she assumed he had a virus, but something about his behavior just didn’t seem right. She called an ambulance and asked her older sons if their brother might have gotten into something, like cough syrup or another over-the-counter medicine. Their answer? “Yeah, THC gummies.” THC gummies are an edible form of cannabis that contain...

Keep Reading

I’m the Friend Who Flakes Out Sometimes—Thanks for Loving Me Anyway

In: Friendship, Living
Group of women on beach, color photo

I recently read a quote that said, “Sorry I’m late, I didn’t want to come.” It resonated. Not because I don’t love my friends. I do. Fiercely. Wholeheartedly. But, I’m that friend. You know the one . . . the last commit, the first to leave. The one who chooses option C when everyone else chooses options A or B. The one who doesn’t initiate the plans. And struggles to show up to the ones that are made even though they are with the people closest to my heart. The one who politely declines opportunities for reasons that are sometimes driven solely...

Keep Reading

Why Have Team Sports Gotten So Expensive?

In: Living, Motherhood
Cheerleaders holding pom poms in line

I love what being on the dance team has taught my daughter. It has taught her to work hard and not give up even when things get difficult. It is currently teaching her that you don’t have to like everyone, but sometimes you do have to work with everyone for the benefit of the team. It has taught her confidence in herself and kept her in great shape. Those are valuable life lessons, and that’s what we’re here for. But something deeply concerns me about these school sports, marching bands, dance, and cheer teams. They are so expensive that only...

Keep Reading

So God Made a Sunday School Teacher

In: Faith, Living
Woman sitting at table surrounded by kids in Sunday school class, color photo

God looked around at all He had created, and He knew He would need someone to teach His children. So God made a Sunday school teacher. God knew He needed someone with a heart and desire to teach children God’s word. God knew the children would act up and made Sunday school teachers with patience and grace to guide them when they step out of line in class. He also made Sunday school teachers with a touch of discretion to know when the stories of a child may be real or imagined. God knew this person would need to be...

Keep Reading

Here’s to the Friends Who Don’t Hide Their Messy Parts

In: Friendship, Motherhood
Two women sit in a field with arms around each other

To the friend who invited me over without picking her house up beforehand . . . thank you.  You had no way of knowing, but I’ve been especially weighed down by the feeling of “I can’t keep up” lately—and when I walked into your beautiful home and saw dishes in the sink and laundry scattered here and there, I let out the deepest exhale I didn’t even realize I was holding in.  Because seeing your mess? Your less-than-perfect? It didn’t make me think any differently of you, but it did allow me to give myself the grace I desperately needed....

Keep Reading