Offline Learning, Day Two

By Tatiana Guerreiro Ramos

I had my own tantrum yesterday.

So, yeah, this is not going to be as smooth as I would like it to be.

Trying to give myself the time and space to make mistakes and learn from them during this process. I tend to be a perfectionist, so letting go of being the Ultra-High-Functioning-Homeschooler-Mom-Whose-Kids-Actually-Get-Smarter-During-Covid is really hard for me.

After I melted down, I took a time out and hid in my bedroom. I told my brain it’s okay that the kids are getting more screen time than I would like. I told my eyes to stop twitching. I told my liver I was sorry for the extra abuse I’m heaping on it lately.

And then I called a Family Meeting.

My kids gathered around me and looked at me with schadenfreude eyes because JUST THE DAY BEFORE, I had been the one telling them they needed to take deep breaths and CALM THE EFF DOWN.

I apologized for my outburst in the kitchen and explained to the spawn that things are a little stressful right now. They all said, duh.

I told them I would try harder to be patient and compassionate with them because I know this is stressful for them, too. They all said, duh.

I told them we would all try harder tomorrow, and help each other. They all said, only if you pay us.

Kidding.

This morning was better.

This afternoon was even better-er.

I’m looking forward to a tantrum-free evening.

I’ll probably have to pay them for that.

But still.