‘I’ve made the decision to send my kids to school, and I am filled with so many mixed emotions.’: Mom says ‘there is no right or wrong answer’ amid school reopenings

“School starts in person this week, and I have no idea how I feel about it, yet I’ve made the decision to send my kids.

I live in Atlanta, and I am fortunate that my daughters attend two of the best private schools in the city. Both seem to be doing all they can to make it safe for the kids, but I am still unsure about my decision because of all the unknowns about this virus.

I wish the information and recommendations out there weren’t constantly changing. I wish politicians and news outlets sent consistent messages. I wish I knew when this all was going to end, and things would just go back to normal for my kids. If I knew this was ending in a few months, I would keep them home, but there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.

Don’t get me wrong, my kids have been fine over the past 5 months, and luckily, they haven’t struggled too much with having to be home and away from their friends. But I still think school in person will be crucial for them this year, especially my older daughter who has dyslexia and ADHD. She is starting at a special school for kids with dyslexia, and the program seems incredible. To have her miss out on all that there is to offer seems like it would be a huge disservice to her.

My feelings are mixed about my younger daughter who is starting Pre-K. Her school is fantastic, and they offered so many great things when they went virtual last year, but it was challenging to get her to do anything productive from home. I have been trying to justify my decision to send her and am wondering if she really needs to be doing anything productive yet anyway. She’s 4. Part of me thinks I am sending her just because I am sending her older sister. Part of me thinks I am sending her because I work (part-time), and part of me thinks I am sending her because, truthfully, I need a break. And then I think, ‘Well, schools wouldn’t be opening if they didn’t think they could keep the kids safe, right?’

I’ve done my research and I know pediatricians recommend sending kids to school. I also heard the director of the CDC say, without hesitation, he would send his grandkids to school. But then I see these counties in Georgia with hundreds of cases after schools opened. I know the schools my kids attend are significantly smaller, but it still makes me nervous. I think about my 72-year-old mother currently living with me and wonder if I’m making the right decision. If I need to teach the kids from home again, I could do it. But since school is being offered, and most people I know are sending their kids, I feel like it’s just what I’m deciding to do.

I am just filled with so many mixed emotions and hope I am making the right decision. It’s such a difficult thing to talk to people about because everyone has their own opinion and is so judgmental. I don’t even really know what my opinion is. But in a few days, it’s happening, and I hope it all works out. I know there is no right or wrong answer and that every family is in a unique situation. I also know that everyone is just trying to do what’s best for them and their families. Hopefully, once school starts, I can find peace in knowing this was the right decision for us.”