What if instead of behind these kids are ahead?
FRIDAY THE 13TH DAY OF MARCH, 2020:
I picked my children up from school. Their teachers sent us away with packets of worksheets and hesitant smiles. No one knew if and when we would meet again.
As the weeks went on, we listened more and more and we understood less and less. I scanned the media, and listened to friends, and heard so much angst and worry that these kids would suffer academically because of the missed days of school.
Silver Lining
Admittedly, I am an optimist. The silver lining is my specialty. Yes, these “Corona Kids” are going to miss months in the classroom and other activities when all is told. But there is so much more to the growth development, and nurture of a child than the magic and amazement that happens in school.
This post, this poem that came straight from my heart has gone around the world and back. It has inspired so many that there is so much more to life than the normal we were used to. Learning may not look the same, but we are destined to learn something new each day that we live.
Speaking to those who can choose
I am speaking to those who actually have it pretty good. If we peel away the fear and anxiety (which are founded and very real) and take some time to practice gratitude.
Then turn our energies toward discovering the benefits in a very profoundly tricky time, we can choose to see the opportunities this may bring us – if we chose to.
What if instead of “behind” this group of kids is advanced because of this?
Hear me out.
What if they have more empathy, they enjoy family connection, they can be more creative and entertain themselves, they love to read, they love to express themselves in writing.
What if they enjoy the simple things, like their own backyard and sitting near a window in the quiet. What if they notice the birds and the dates the different flowers emerge, and the calming renewal of a gentle rain shower?
What if this generation is the ones to learn to cook, organize their space, do their laundry, and keep a well-run home?
Helping Our Kids During Social Distancing
What if they learn to stretch a dollar and to live with less? What if they learn to plan shopping trips and meals at home.
What if they learn the difference between want and need?
What if they learn the value of eating together as a family and finding the good to share in the small delights of the everyday?
What if they are the ones to place great value on our teachers and educational professionals, librarians, public servants and the previously invisible essential support workers like truck drivers, grocers, cashiers, custodians, logistics, and health care workers and their supporting staff, just to name a few of the millions taking care of us right now while we are sheltered in place? (See my post about Acts of Kindness.)
What if among these children, a great leader emerges who had the benefit of a slower pace and a simpler life. What if he or she truly learns what really matters in this life?
Let’s talk about helping our kids during social distancing.
What if they are ahead?
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Dream Come True?
Has every dream here I mused in this poem come true? Absolutely not, but my desire was and is to move our energy away from the worst-case scenario and toward the best, even if it is far-fetched. I am privileged to dream.
Is it really that simple?
I want to be clear, reading, writing, and math skills are essential. I have advanced degrees and so does my husband. We want our children to do well in school and get a great education.
What if we equipped our children with the skills and tools to cope with a busy chaotic world? Let’s think of fresh, new ways of parenting our children to be healthy adults someday and happy children now
I also submit, before a child can learn properly, he has to feel safe, feel attached to a loving caregiver, master his body, cope emotionally, navigate socially, and be as physically and mentally healthy as possible. Depression, anxiety, suicide, and general unhappiness to far too common and I think there is room for improvement. Do you disagree?.
What if?
Discussion
Thank you for joining me for this time of reflection. What have you learned during this time?
I have to admit, it has not all been easy. I have had many of the same stressors as you and maybe some unique ones also and not everything has been just as idyllic and as I dreamed.
Some have come against me with criticism that I must be so privileged to dream as I do. I do not have the best of everything, but I do my best to make the best of everything. Like I stated above, my desire was and is to move our energy away from the worst-case scenario and toward the best, even if it is far-fetched. I am privileged to dream.
Everyone has the privilege to dream.
Taking Action
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About the author, Jaime
Here at Altogether Mostly, you will find grace, compassion, joy, and beauty. I use empathy and a little tough love to bring out the best in people. I live in the Midwest United States with my loving husband and awesome children. For more about me and Altogether Mostly, please visit my about page here.
Dear Jamie,
I’m a Medium writer and I saw a post that made me think a lot and triggered an article. Doing research I found out the post was, in fact, your lovely and wise poem.
Here’s the friend link to the article. I hope you like it. Thanks for your wisdom and optimism.
https://medium.com/@bettinavillegas23/how-children-can-benefit-from-this-weird-2020-dfa586e18b00?source=friends_link&sk=0a3316958f4251c6f9615b1a864311cf
Bettina, Thank you for your comment and for letting me know about your article. I love your treatment of the subject and I appreciate your kind feedback on my post. I agree with you, there is so much that we can learn from this circumstance in the holistic sense. I am thankful for writers like you that are looking for benefits when they feel so hard to find. Thank you – Jaime
What do you mean by the word “behind” in the title of your poem?
Hi Sheri, many showed concerns that children would not progress academically as they should, thus behind because of missed classroom time. I dreamed of an opportunity for children to grow in other ways.
I hope that helps.
Thank you for sharing my post. I am so happy that it is inspiring so many people about the unlimited possibilities we can find in even the dark moments. Thank you, Jaime Ragsdale, AltogetherMostly.com
Thank you for sharing my post. I am so happy that it is inspiring so many people far and wide to see the possibility in any circumstance!
Thank you, Jaime Ragsdale, AltogetherMostly.com
Thank you for sharing my post. I am so happy that it is inspiring so many people far and wide to see the possibility in any circumstance!
Thank you, Jaime Ragsdale, AltogetherMostly.com
Thank you for sharing my post. I am so happy that it is inspiring so many people far and wide to see the possibility in any circumstance!
Thank you, Jaime Ragsdale, AltogetherMostly.com
Thank you for your note, Telka. The post spread throughout social media like wildfire and those are a little hard to control. Many shared it, so many more received it without citation. If you could kindly share the correct link with Ms. Boughton so she is aware of the source, I would be ever so grateful.
Thank you, Jaime Ragsdale <3
Awesome and insightful!
Thank you, Eve! I appreciate your comment!
Sad that it takes a pandemic to bring out some of the simple things in life. Hopefully we will all cherish the time together as we are the lucky ones to still be alive.With creativity and resilience the kids will get through like all of us. There is a light at the end of the tunnel but still many unknowns. We are all living through history together and we are all learning as we have never been down this road before.
Yes, how did we get so far off track? I’m choosing joy in that we have a second chance to do better! ❤️
You might enjoy my follow up post: https://altogethermostly.com/what-if-i-dont-want-that-normal-anymore/
Such a wise perspective! Going back to what really matters. My sincere thanks. Warm regards from Argentina.
Muchas gracias, Teresa from Argentina! I’m so happy it touched your heart! ❤️
*Muchas Gracias!
This is brilliant. As an educator, I have been quietly stressed, worrying about my duty in Making sure every effort is put forth to maintain instruction in this curve ball environment. The best idea was to simply assign projects with open door creativity. Students who want to learn will continue to learn. This article gives great hope that even the students doing “nothing” might just be learning alot afterall. Thanks for that
Thank you for your comment. I am so happy that this has encouraged you! Children are so multi-faceted. They can use this time to grow in new areas like self-discovery, family unity, enjoyment of nature and art, for example. This is not to minimize what our amazing educators and support do so well in “normal” circumstances, but they can learn new ways, too. Blessings!
This is brilliant. As an educator, I have been quietly stressed, worrying about my duty in Making sure every effort is put forth to maintain instruction in this curve ball environment. The best idea was to simply assign projects with open door creativity. Students who want to learn will continue to learn. This article gives great hope that even the students doing “nothing” might just be learning alot afterall. Thanks for that
This is such a inspirational piece of journalism… What positive thoughts and such great truth.. As parents and grandparents let’s pass in to our kids that we can be a better person and our world will . be better..Lets all think “what if” and pass it on to those around us. Let’s work on “Being Ahead”.!
Thank you, Lela, for your comment! I am so glad that my words inspired you!
Thoughtful and pleasently
Thank you! <3
Love this. Education just like everything in life is important but learning life at home no one can teach us. Love this slow down time. That’s how I was raised. That’s exactly what I want my child to learn. Notice little things, weather, birds or that scent when we are out for a walk. I believe everything happens for reason. Love this time of quiet ?
Thank you for your lovely comment and kind affirmation of my post.
This is amazing! I love that you have a heart that take a negative and turns into a beautiful positive!!
Thank you, Melissa! <3
I love this, thanks! I’m working hard to focus on all of the positives that can come out of this.
Thank you, Ally!
An impressive and an enlighten thought that has brought about encouragement to me, which I will share. Fitting for such a time as this!
Thank you, Jerry!
Loved this! Shared on my page ❤️
Thank you, Erica!