Kim Frencken: Missing my kids

If you think this is easy, you're wrong. I'm not talking about planning for distance learning. I'm talking about being away from my kids. My kids.

I miss them. 

 I miss the smiles and the hugs and the laughter. I miss the funny ones. I miss the quiet ones. I miss the ones who take their learning so seriously. I miss the ornery ones. 

 I don't know of one teacher that is enjoying this situation. We'd rather be in our classrooms, instructing our kids, and having the normal day-to-day interaction with them.

Planning a lesson for distance learning is hard. The hardest part of planning is not being there to instruct. Not being there for each child's questions. Not being there to encourage. Not being there to cheer them on. Missing out on the quirky jokes and humorous observations. Putting out the fires of discontent. All of it. I miss all of it. And I think it is safe to say that our kids miss it too.

Our lessons go home weekly. Kids can either return them the following week (at the weekly pick-up) or send pics of them. I love the pics.

Especially the ones with my kids holding their assignment in their hands. Especially the moms that are taking extra time to send pics of their kids playing in the sunshine. The moms that send a short video of their kid telling me hello. The moms that understand how much we love our kids. I've shed a few tears when I see them.

I know this time will pass. I know we'll eventually be back in school. I know that I'll join millions in praying for a snow day (eventually). But I also know that I won't take a normal school day for granted. Ever again.

(For more of Kim Frencken's writing and information about her educational products, check out her blog, Chocolate For the Teacher.)