Virtual Learning Parenting Tips: The Rise of Substitute Parent-Teachers
Middle Adjacent Parenting: A Candid Reflection
Virtual learning parenting tips are more essential than ever. I was on the phone with a good guy friend the other day. We were doing our normal check-in, and we often share something we’re grateful for. I told him that I was grateful I was able to be angry and sin not. I further explained that I was able to convey my feelings without yelling or saying hurtful things. This is something that’s become especially important lately as I apply virtual learning parenting tips to keep things calm and productive.
He responded, “Brother, I failed in that area this week.” Admitting his frustration, he shared that he likely took it out on his kids. “This virtual learning thing is hard,” he added with a sigh. That immediately had my attention because another guy friend of mine just expressed earlier that day—and honestly every day since virtual learning started—how difficult it is to keep his kids attentive.
I immediately tried to get them on the phone with one another so that they could talk and build some type of support system for each other.
See, I am middle adjacent to the whole parenting-while-virtual-learning experience. With friends, I try to be the sounding board they need. I show up when they need to vent—when they need to say the things that make them sound like terrible people but are simply honest moments of overwhelm.
I’m adjacent because I have a daughter who’s doing virtual learning. She lives with her mom. She’s seventeen. She’s pretty self-sufficient. She’s preparing for college. She doesn’t need that much hands-on. However, all of my friends around me have first graders and kindergarteners. They are in the midst of the struggle. They are, what I’m coining, Substitute Parent-Teachers—or at best, Teacher’s Aides.
Virtual Learning Parenting Tips from Substitute Parent-Teachers
That’s what Ms. Rosette Ladson, a counselor at Powell Elementary School in DC, calls them. Parents are called on to be educators and let’s admit it—most probably aren’t qualified for it. I sure know I’m not. Yes, the teachers are the facilitators, but the parents are being leaned on heavily to actually facilitate.
They are called upon to make the teacher’s job easier virtually. The Substitute Parent-Teacher has to set up the classroom, i.e., have a designated workspace that often requires an actual desk. A Substitute Parent-Teacher (SPT) is responsible for setting up the virtual classroom—often meaning a designated desk or learning space. They must also ensure reliable Wi-Fi and keep their child focused and engaged throughout the day. They are in charge of snack time and lunchtime and break time and the times when the Wi-Fi goes out and “I can’t hear the teacher time” and so on and so forth—often while trying to manage their own careers virtually.
If you’re navigating this role, these distance learning strategies for parents might help lighten the load.
I can’t even name half of the things that they deal with because again, I’m middle adjacent.
Join Our Community and Share Your Parenting Insights
This is the time to rally together. If you are reading this PLEASE comment below. Tell us about your experience so far being a virtual Parent-Teacher. If you have any virtual learning parenting tips, please share them. The readers will see them and we’ll pass them on. We’ll make it through together. We don’t have a choice… right?!
Any ideas to pass on during this time of virtual learning? Do you have questions that you need answered? Comment below. Let’s build a community to help out one another. Let us hear your voice—our community wants to hear from you!
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