MILITARY FAMILIES DEAL WITH EDUCATIONAL DISRUPTION ALL THE TIME – HERE ARE SOME OF THEIR LESSONS-LEARNED TO HELP ALL PARENTS WEATHER THE PANDEMIC
By CHRISTI HAM
Educational flux is part of the job description for military families. Military families move every two to three years, so disruption in a child's education is typical for the offspring of service members.
So, it seemed very reasonable to get expertise from military spouses who know a thing or two about how to weather the current educational disruption caused by the coronavirus. We queried members of Military Families for High Standards for tips to temper disruption. We compiled their answers below in hopes that they might provide all parents with some valuable insights about enduring disruption.
BE CONFIDENT FOR YOUR CHILD
“The support I gained from my military sisters always offered me strength and insights. Networking with those who'd experienced the same before gave me a good perspective on how to help my own family.
“We are always willing to advocate for our own children. A situation like this gives us the chance to perform for their best advantage on our own. From all that we've been through before, we are better equipped to be strong at this time than we are aware.
“Children watch us for clues on how to deal with things. So, react from your best perspective. It sounds harsh, but find what works for you and deal with it. ‘Been there - Done that’ will carry you through, even though the circumstances are gravely different.”
DARLENE
Lacey, Washington
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HOMESCHOOLING CAN REALLY WORK
“We dealt with homeschooling during our son's educational career. What I remember as its best advantage for us was the fact that in a short period of time, we could cover a lot of ground/topics/mastery. If we stayed consistent with our schedule, we emphasized the lessons' importance AND we covered the required material.
“Balancing the day with stimulating activities must occur, but learning continues at these times -- even though the child is often unaware. In this situation, you can collaborate with other parents for ideas or to share talents.”
MELISSA
Hampton, Virginia
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PUT FAMILY FIRST
“Take care of your family first. The rest will fall into place. There's only so much you can influence, but your homestead is within your control.
“Don't put a lot of pressure on yourself -- life will do enough of that for you. Use distance learning -- but only as an advantage to accomplish what you can, rather than what you must.”
PATTY
Reston, Virginia
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GET YOUR CHILD INVOLVED BIG-TIME
“Consider these suggestions that come from years of military moves and transitions, which forced us to spend long periods of time together as the "new" folks -- alone. Until we established new friends and new opportunities, we relied on one another, much like this virus has forced everyone to do the same.
“Involve your children in the new normal you are living. Being confined to your home creates circumstances for thinking outside the box by using everyday activities as teaching moments. Organize the garage with the help of your children. Have them sort, classify and use spatial skills to put it all back together.
“After cleaning, use the found items to create new art or another useful item such as a creative home for dolls or pets from an old box decorated with fabric scraps, cotton balls, buttons, yarn, etc. Enlist the children to help plan meals by making a menu and then making and serving the meal. Have your "techie" child chronicle the quarantine days by making a movie. This will involve skills like editing, sound control and lighting.”
TERRI
Omaha, Nebraska
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PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO YOUR TEENS
“Military families have moved their teens around the globe for decades --- and learned a lot -- sometimes painfully. These at-home days force you to confront teenage challenges up-close. Experience has taught us that often teens don't express their concerns, worries or anxieties even at the best of times, so watch them for simple signs that this is bearing down on them.
“Teens can carry off much of their required work which is a blessing to many parents who haven't applied those lessons any too recently in their lives. But those children still need encouragement and opportunities for group work, virtually, to mimic their classroom experiences and satisfy their social appetites.”
MICHELLE
Columbus, Georgia
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BEWARE CREEPING FRUSTRATION
“Educational disruption can breed frustration among K-12 students. And for the parent, it can be difficult to keep their child focused and attentive while learning at home amid the pandemic.
Parents are required to work with their child who may be used to receiving information in a different way.
“There's frustration waiting to invade the lessons -- but don't allow that to occur. Allow your child their opinions, to ask their questions completely and feel good about bringing them to you.”
JENNIFER
Kansas City, Kansas
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Please take into consideration these military spouses have offered. Weigh it against the demands that you are faced with today. Remind yourself of your abilities and focus on using those to your family's best advantage. Think back to what life has demanded of you and know that you can come thru this with success --- though it may look different than you'd ever imagined.
You were your child's first teacher, so you have a personal style that you've established with them. Grow that learning relationship with them now and allow them to teach you many new things.
You will be amazed at what you didn't realize they can do --- how they can use technology, how they can read something and formulate a clear opinion, how they can tackle story problems for mathematical solutions, how they can be creative with things that seem ordinary or obsolete.