If We Send Our Kids to School, We’re “Selfish.” If We Keep Them Home, We’re “Living in Fear.”

“Parents are feeling some type of way right now.

If we send our kids to school, we’re “selfish”.

If we keep them home, we’re “living in fear”.

We know our choice will not please everyone—

but we’re trying not to care

and instead just focus on what’s best for our kid…

BUT we’re not even sure what that is

because we’re just sooo conflicted.

We’ve been trying to enjoy this extra time with our kids

but our newest thief of joy is uncertainty.

We’re offered strong opinions from others not even in our position.

And if we’re honest, we’re pretty much over it.

Some of us have already decided; for some it was decided for us

and some, like me, are sitting right smack dab in the middle of indecision.

The reality is,

some families will be giving up an income and financial stability.

Some will go to work, whether by choice or mere necessity, and will still be judged harshly.

Some parents will try to balance full-time work from home and distance learning, which seems almost impossible to me.

Many have, and will, shed tears and mourn plans

when no one is looking,

and then pull it together just as quickly.

There’s a decision to be made, but there’s no “right” one.

My kids won’t hear the complaint when I push my career aside.

The work-outside-the-home mom’s kids likely won’t see the weight she’s carrying.

The work-from-home dad won’t let anyone know the pressure he’s under.

We KNOW we’d do ANYTHING for our kids, no matter the sacrifice,

but we did not sign up for THIS.

No one did.

So if you hear a parent voice their choice that’s different than yours,

please do not make them feel worse.

Give them some grace

because I can promise you

we parents are already feeling some type of way.”

**This post was written by Whitney Ballard of Trains and Tantrums, and originally appeared on her Facebook page. For more, follow her at https://www.instagram.com/whitneyballard_writer/