TYLER, Texas — A lot of parents are looking at empty calendars and wondering how they will protect and occupy their children while school is out.
Beth Bills is one of them. She is also the woman thousands of East Texas moms turn to when they need advice.
“Most parents, from what I’m gathering and hearing, and the chatter in some of the groups I’m in and whatnot, is, we just, there are so many unknowns,” Bills explained.
Bills is the founder of East Texas Moms Blog, a website and Facebook page with more than 10,000 followers. She is also the mother of two girls, one in middle school and one in high school. Her children's schools are temporarily closed because of concerns about coronavirus.
“They’re just excited about STAAR being canceled,” Bills said with a laugh. “I’m being really honest, I don’t think they understand the, just—none of us really do—but, they really don’t quite get it just yet.”
Bills is already planning out ways to keep them engaged and keep their brains active during this hiatus but is trying not to overwhelm them with learning opportunities just yet.
“I’m also not putting a ton of expectations (on myself),” Bills said, “And recognizing that my days are going to look really different, because, one, we can’t really get out, but, two, because we don’t know. We don’t know how long this is going to be.”
Bills said shutting off the constant flow of news about coronavirus for periods of time will help parents and children get more out of each day. While she and her daughters are disappointed about seasons that were canceled and events that have been called off, she thinks the little things in life could take on a greater significance.
“I’m looking forward to family dinners,” Bills mentioned, “because nobody has to be at practice, and nobody has to be at a game, and nobody has to be at dance lessons, and things like that.”
Bills said many schools have offered online academic resources to help children continue learning, and companies like Scholastic also have resources available. She suggested that parents who need direction reach out to their kids’ teachers because they know what those children should be learning.
However, Bills said parents should not ignore the tools that are right outside their doors.
“Kind of going back to the basics of grab the jump ropes, grab the basketball, the tennis racquets,” Bills said.
Regardless of whether they fully understand what this pandemic means, Bills says kids know that coronavirus is a major disruption of their families’ lives. So aside from learning about science or history, this could be a good time for kids to learn what community means.
“It’s uncharted waters,” Bills explained. “And I think the best thing that we can do to model for our kids, to model for each other, is to be kind to people and understand that nobody knows how to navigate this perfectly, and that we’re all doing the best that we can.”
Many parents are worried about making sure their children get enough to eat while schools are closed. Many districts are offering curbside pickup for parents who can drive to school, but some cannot, whether due to work or lack of transportation.
Bills said she has heard of many volunteers who will deliver those lunches to students who would not otherwise get them.
“Call the school district,” Bills suggested. “That’s one thing I know for sure is that they want to be a resource. They want to alleviate any of that panic and do as much as they physically can.”