Worried About Your Kids Going to School? Here’s What the Facts Reveal

The Covid-19 worldwide pandemic has fallen upon all of us as a shock and surprise. Everyone has had to adapt to unexpected changes such as wearing a face mask in public, applying hand sanitizer endless times a day, or having to work remotely.  Kids have also had to adjust to remote learning, something that might have had a negative impact on both them and their parents. Kids going to school again has been a major cause for concern to parents for all kinds of reasons, and rightly so.  Today, we are going to discuss some of the most common worries that parents are experiencing. We’ll also offer possible solutions that could bring everyone some peace of mind. 

How Should I Plan for My Child’s Return to School?

Most parents find themselves lost when they think about sending their children back to school. 

In a regular year, it’s easy enough to plan. You know how things work at the school already, you understand all the procedures, and everything is just how you expect it to be. 

Now, you have absolutely no idea how things will be carried out. Not only has the pandemic forced the schools to shut down the buildings temporarily, but now that they’re re-opening, they are obliged to follow a completely new routine. These rules and guidelines are in place to protect the well-being of the children as well as the teachers. 

This uncertainty can make you feel less confident about what you should do, maybe even a bit hopeless. You might even be uncertain about basic things, like buying school supplies. 

What to Do First: Inform Yourself

Despite the fact that things seem to be changing from one day to the next, call up the school and inform yourself as much as you can. Find out if they’ll be holding any meetings for parents. If they are, clear up a slot in your schedule to attend. 

Don’t be afraid to ask all the necessary questions, no matter how embarrassing they may seem. You want to be sure that all of your doubts and concerns are cleared and that you know exactly what you’ll be dealing with this year. 

The Big Question: Should I Even Send My Child to School?

Another massive concern is the risk of getting Covid-19. If it’s difficult already to keep children under control when it comes to following safety procedures, then it’s even more challenging at school. 

Once we drop off the kids, we don’t have that guarantee that the teachers are going to keep everything under control. We don’t know if the kids keep on their masks the entire time or if the teachers are making sure that the kids keep their distance from one another. 

Naturally, this can make you worry about your child catching the virus or perhaps bringing it home and passing it to others in the family. 

What You Can Do: Educate Your Children 

Teach your kids everything there is to know about following safety measures. 

Show them the right way to wash their hands. Buy them extra masks and explain to them the importance of wearing them correctly. Pack a bottle of hand sanitizer in their backpack and teach them when they should use it. 

Also, plan out a proper disinfecting procedure once they arrive home, like making sure they wash their hands and remove their shoes before entering the house. Have them take a shower before proceeding to do anything else. 

We know it’s a hassle to have to start doing these things on a daily basis, especially for young ones. But the more precaution you take, the safer you and your family will be. 

How Will the Pandemic Affect My Child?

Having to make such drastic changes to your kids’ lives can affect their emotional state, especially if they’re having a hard time understanding the severity of the situation. They might begin to develop anxiety or even become afraid. 

Your kids might already start showing signs of emotional distress when you’re sending them off to school. It's understandable as they’ll face a completely new environment they’re unprepared for, which might be very challenging for them. 

What You Can Do: Be Honest But Positive

As parents, we want to make sure that despite how worried we may feel, we do not want to reflect that anxiety to our children. Remain calm and collected so that your child can feel safe and reassured. 

Next, be open and honest with your child. Prepare them for what to expect once they return to their schools. The more they know about what they might face, the more calm and confident they’ll feel.

If they’re hesitant about not wanting to go to school, be positive with them. Remind them that they’ll be able to spend time with their closest friends and be able to see their favorite teachers again. 

The Pros and Cons for Kids Going to School

Just because the schools are opening up again doesn’t mean you have to send your kids back. 

What if you think they will respond better by continuing their schooling at home, at least until the pandemic ends? Then perhaps consider homeschooling or remote learning as an option. 

Analyze the pros and cons of your kids going to school again. Speak with them and find out how they’re feeling. As a parent, you’ll need to come to a decision that will be beneficial for you and your child. 

Remember, there isn’t always a “right” or “wrong” choice. It all depends on the circumstances of your family and the area you’re living in. 

Whatever you decide, we're here to provide all the protective equipment you need to keep you and your family safe. Click here to view our current inventory!