Unruly Neurons
  • Home
  • Contact Heather
  • How to Help
  • Mental Illness
  • About Heather
  • Speaking Engagements
Unruly Neurons
  • Home
  • Contact Heather
  • How to Help
  • Mental Illness
  • About Heather
  • Speaking Engagements
Uncategorized

Back to School, back to school….

by Heather Loeb August 11, 2020
by Heather Loeb August 11, 2020 0 comment

back-to-school-1622789_1920I know I’m not the only writing about this but I need to get it all out — I’m worried about my kids starting school tomorrow (Aug. 12).

They go to a private preschool and are starting earlier than the public schools, which are doing virtual learning until September. My daughter will be in Kindergarten and my son will be in the Pre K-3 class.

The school has a list of safety protocols that they started for summer camp from June to July. They’ll continue these, plus they are asking kids in the 3s, 4s and Kinder classes to wear face shields.

I trust the school to do every thing they can to protect the kids, but I’m still scared to send them back. Corpus Christi is being hit very hard right now with hundreds of new Covid cases and a handful of deaths every day. This past Sunday, we had more than 1,000 cases.

Having the kids at home has been nice in some ways but it’s taken a toll on my mental health. That and not having a routine or access to my usual self-care practices has stressed me out, increased my anxiety levels and forced me to turn to unhealthy coping skills at times.

I need a break from the kids, even if it’s just a few hours while they’re at school. I need to recharge, go to therapy and have some “me time.” I would be lying if I said all that didn’t go into the decision to send my kids to school. While I feel guilty about that, I know I’m not alone in feeling what I’m feeling. Every parent is battling this.

But the kids are suffering, too. Isla and Eli miss their friends. I’m sure they miss socializing at school and having contact with someone besides each other and their parents. I’ve also noticed that Eli has regressed a little with writing his name and other words. At the beginning of the quarantine, I had elaborate lesson plans for the kids but that has deteriorated into more screen time and outdoor play.

Eli’s only 4 so I’m not worried so much about him but I’m a bit concerned with Isla. We work on her reading daily but I want her to improve and be in an environment that cultivates academic growth. And I’m also worried about her testing into the gifted and talented school. She’ll take the test in January and I want her to be prepared. It’s something that David really wants (because he attended the same school), so I support that — as long as she’s good with it, too. 

This all might sound selfish and maybe it is. Of course I do not want my kids or the rest of the family to get sick. It’s a hard decision to make and I pray every night that it’s the right one. I just want what’s best for my family; I know we all do.

86935797_10104039238655404_8135366600694956032_n

I support every parents’ decision, whether it’s keeping kids at home, virtual learning or in-person learning. I pray for us all during this uncertain and scary time. 

I know we’ll get through this somehow, I’m just hoping it’ll be with as little damage as possible. No doubt this pandemic will leave scares on us all, especially children.

I’m also praying for teachers, administrators, parents and students. We are all in this together, no matter what decision we make.

anxietyback to schoolcoronavirusCOVID-19DepressionfamilyMental Health
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Heather Loeb

For decades I've struggled with major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, avoidant personality disorder, dysthymia and an eating disorder. I pen my misadventures here, but you can also find my column in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times (caller.com). Thanks for reading and for your support.

previous post
Disorderly Eating, Disorderly Depression
next post
The Other Side

Related Posts

Make Hay While the Sun Shines

August 28, 2020

Love The One You’re With

August 27, 2020

When The Bad Thoughts Win

August 23, 2020

The Heavy Burden of Others’ Opinions

August 18, 2020

The Other Side

August 13, 2020

Disorderly Eating, Disorderly Depression

August 7, 2020

Genetics and Depression

August 5, 2020

Anxiety and Depression

July 29, 2020

Misconceptions About Depression

July 23, 2020

Mental Illness on the Front Lines

July 19, 2020

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Tags

anxiety anxiety disorder anxiety disorder. generalized anxiety disorder avoidant personality disorder binge eating Binge Eating Disorder body positivity Chronic Pain compulsive eating coronavirus Depression depression blog diet coke eating disorder ECT ECT treatment electroconvulsive therapy family generalized anxiety disorder getting healthy healthy living ketamine major depression major depressive disorder mdd menninger clinic Mental Health mental health blog mental illness mental illness blog mental wellness migraines overeating parenting parenting blog parenting with depression self care stigma of depression suicidal ideation suicide suicide prevention TMS transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment resistant depression Weight Loss

Tags

anxiety anxiety disorder anxiety disorder. generalized anxiety disorder avoidant personality disorder binge eating Binge Eating Disorder body positivity Chronic Pain compulsive eating coronavirus Depression depression blog diet coke eating disorder ECT ECT treatment electroconvulsive therapy family generalized anxiety disorder getting healthy healthy living ketamine major depression major depressive disorder mdd menninger clinic Mental Health mental health blog mental illness mental illness blog mental wellness migraines overeating parenting parenting blog parenting with depression self care stigma of depression suicidal ideation suicide suicide prevention TMS transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment resistant depression Weight Loss

Categories

  • anxiety
  • Beauty
  • Binge Eating Disorder
  • Chronic Pain
  • coronavirus
  • Depression
  • family
  • getting healthy
  • Health
  • Ketamine/Spravato
  • Kids
  • Mental Health
  • migraines
  • Parenting
  • Postpartum Depression
  • Self-care
  • Suicide
  • TMS
  • treatment resistant depression
  • Uncategorized
  • Weight Loss
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Email

@2019 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign