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The 2020 School Dilemma

6 Jul
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There’s this crazy dilemma many of us are being faced with at the moment and from a variety of different perspectives.  The school dilemma.  How will kids go back to school with all the chaos of covid continuing to linger over our heads here in the US?  August is quickly approaching and it’s still unclear how the pandemic will be truly handled by the school systems.  We clearly didn’t heed the call to chill out and stay home to blunt the curve as we currently are winning the race for most cases… And that’s not something to toot our own horns about. So, do we send them or not?

THE SCHOOL DILEMMA

Last Monday I was driving home from work and I was listening to my normal MSNBC on Sirius.  I used to listen to NPR and still do somethimes, but today it was Nicole Wallace who’s my go to show to enjoy on the way home from work.  And while I consider myself somewhat liberal, she is probably my favorite show to listen to.  I think I’ve loved her ever since the HBO movie Game Change came out where Sara Paulson portrayed her as the gal who really didn’t care for Sarah Palin.  If you never watched it, it’s not too late and it’s a good one.  Anyways, I digress.  I do find it funny that my favorite show is that of technically a republican, although maybe now she’s a former republican.

BACK TO SCHOOL BINGO

So last week I’m driving home from work, listening to her chat and make all her very good points and take in everything that all her super smart guests are saying and it’s close to the end of her show.  This is the time she highlights a life lost to corona-virus. She goes to commercial first and I hit a stop light so I grab my phone and check some emails. I’ve been busy at work all day and haven’t looked once. Plus I’m practicing for the new law that started July 1, but I’m at a stoplight. I see an email from my daughters school that I’ve been nervously and anxiously awaiting.  Even just seeing it in my inbox makes my stomach turn upside down. I start reading…
*We will practice social distancing when possible.
*Students and staff will need to wear masks, at times.  Masks could also be required for certain classrooms or classroom activities.
*Depending on how many students reserve a seat on the bus, we may be required to reinstate walking zones and discontinue bus service for some students who live near their school.
*Students may be assigned seating and will be spaced as far apart as possible.
*There will be separate areas created in our health clinics—one for regular care and an isolated area for anyone who presents signs or symptoms of illness.
*No one should be in our buildings if they are experiencing any symptoms of illness. 
That last one made me chuckle.  What is considered a symptom of illness?  I know I’ve sent my kid to school before with a cough and we all know you have too.  But is this real life?  How can they ensure my child’s safety?  Will they be able to make the kids keep the masks on?!  How will they social distance?  Are the teachers really going to sign up all this?   I could go on with these questions for days… They typically consume my daily thoughts.
Nicole is back. I drop the phone and turn the volume up and listen.  That’s when I hear “8 year old” so I turn it up louder. “Yoshi’s parents say she was their favorite little star.”  I tear up. 8 years old and she passed from the coronavirus. No underlying conditions. She just died. And my heart melted for those parents.  Even reading this back to myself as I write it all out, makes me tear up again.

Eight
Years
Old

My daughter is 8. Even though everyone is so sure this doesn’t affect children, it does.  And we don’t know enough to say it doesn’t.  I don’t know what I’d do with myself if my daughter died of the corona-virus or any virus or accident or ANYTHING for that matter. If she died, I’d be broken. Forever.
And what scares me most is that people are walking around like these lives don’t matter. All I hear is “I want this” and “I want that.”  I don’t want to be the parent who is saying “I just want my baby girl back” if we can help it.  I don’t want that for anyone.
So this is why my mind is constantly filled with all the questions and uncertainty and this school dilemma. Listen, I want to be able to go shopping and  out to eat with my family too, but we just need to take it slow and the more everyone rushes this, the longer it’s gonna take.  It’s not going anywhere and you can see that by the increase in numbers all over the country.
There will come a moment in our looking back on this time, and honestly it might come sooner rather than later, that people will say what the hell were they thinking. I keep thinking that this whole bit of our history will be looked at with such scrutiny — political scrutiny, empathetic scrutiny, and scrutiny of our humanity.  Those who came before us sacrificed so that we could survive… from very small things like parents not eating during the depression so their children could to larger sacrifices like lives lost in war.  Why can’t we handle this seemingly simple ask to keep our fellow mankind safe?  Why is it such a task to stay home and slow down for a bit?!
I realize all situations are different but whatever your situation, I can almost guarantee, that in our current state of pandemic and economic slowdown, you are not alone. As many have stated before me, we are all in this together.  I loved seeing the amazing outreach that came towards the beginning of all this mess.  The kids coming up with creative ways to serve their communities, food pantries taking care of anyone who needed food, singing on the balconies, people visiting elderly though windows… I mean the love and kindness that came from all of this had to be a ridiculous increase from previous times…

A DAY IN MY QUARANTINE LIFE

Which brings me to my thoughts on this school dilemma… and where my uncertainty about all this comes from… we clearly are not in this together. As much as I wish we were as a country, we were so far divided before the pandemic, It’s hard to imagine such a life altering event being able to bring us together. So how am I to trust that the people I’m sending my child to school with are taking this seriously?  I can’t.  As much as I want to (and need to) send her back to school, I just don’t think it’s a good idea to {what I’m considering} rush into things.  But my survey is due back today on whether or not my daughter is planning on attending school and riding the bus.
My answer? I have no clue. So my answers on the survey will be yes.  Because I don’t want to be in a situation where I said no and then don’t have a place.  But I’m still on the fence and things don’t seem to be getting any better with just a couple weeks before they go back…
I just keep thinking, is it really possible to socially distant with class sizes as they are?  Even cut in half?  Could each individual really stay six feet apart? Realistically?  And how will that be policed?!  Kids like to socialize and as my little one says, “touch her friends.”  And she’s anxiously awaiting the time when “cowona-birus” (she’s 3) is over so she can do just that, but that time has not yet come…
On the bus, how will that all go down?  We did hear that there will be no sharing seats on the bus unless you are from the same family.  Which is good to know, but will they be taking temps at the bus stop?  And what happens when the kid comes with a fever but his parents are already at work?!  As much as we hate to admit it, school is a childcare for a lot of people so they can work and we need to make sure that’s being taken into account.
What happens when the schools start to see an increase in cases?  We honestly don’t know what will happen, but we can’t just say that by cleaning everyday and keeping space – in an enclosed environment – that there will be no issues.  We have to anticipate that kids being together INSIDE is going to prompt more cases.  Then what?!  This is the school dilemma.  And quarantining for 14 days if that does happen — who all is affected by that?  An entire class?  All teachers?  Certain staff?  How does that go? But seriously, HOW DOES IT GO?  This virus is young and probably changing more than we know… We can’t expect to have school as it always was, and there aren’t any really good options right now and the LACK of honest and transparent information is unsettling.
No one knows anything at this time, but please be prepared to send your kids back to school in 3 weeks.

FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL

I trust the teachers… but will they come back?  I mean, honestly we are lucky to have a great school so I trust that everyone there has my child and all the kids best interest at heart, but will those people be around?  The expectation we are putting on educators during this time – educators who are already overworked and under paid, oh and are already short on resources – is insane.  Not to mention the crisis of a teacher shortage we are already facing…  We are expecting them to now police masks, temperatures, e-learning options, and so much more… We learned that e-learning as prepared for the end of the spring semester wasn’t ideal for most families or children, but that wasn’t their fault.  They did AMAZING things on such short notice!
Most of my questions for the school dilemma surround the what if situations — like what if a kid gets sick during the day?  what happens if they come with the fever?  what happens if the teacher contracts it?  how will there be enough subs?  I just see many many teachers opting out this year… and I don’t blame them one bit.
So there’s my rant on the school dilemma and whether I decide to send my kid to school this year or not.  I sit here daily, wondering why we can’t just suck it up for a bit and take this more seriously.  Even if we need to learn to live with a new way of doing things, we aren’t ready to just go back to life as it was with the current status of the pandemic.  We need to figure out the best ways that work for us, and all of us, and try to stick to that.
Isn’t it irresponsible to feel like school MUST start back up in the fall?
None of this works. And logically people have to see that…
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Categories:
2020, Back to School, Blog, COVID-19 Quarantine, Deep Thoughts, Reflection
Tags:
Back to school, coronavirus, covid-19, deep thoughts, going back to school

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Hey There! I'm Abby. Some people started calling me "Little Miss Martha" a few years back and this blog followed. I started it to share my DIY wedding progress, but it's now evolved to include other good things. Read More…

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Abby || Lifestyle Blogger
Sometimes it’s something as simple as what you a Sometimes it’s something as simple as what you already have and hanging it/them on a wall around your home. Gather a bunch of one thing together and you can make a pretty easy gallery wall.  I had all of these but two, which I grabbed at Hobby Lobby for 50% off so, this little wall cost me $25. 

It’s not always about how much you spend, but the statement it makes. Loving my new little wall of cutting boards… the wood tones bring in a natural warmth and while these don’t have stories yet, they might after a few years and uses! 

What kind of gallery walls do you have in your home? 
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#cuttingboard #cuttingboards #gallerywalldecor #kitchenwalldecor #kitchendecorideas #mykitchenstyle #hangitup
Finally hung something my mom grabbed for me at an Finally hung something my mom grabbed for me at an antique store a while back…
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#imissantiquing #letsgoshopping #hangitup #walldecorations #homedesigns #elainedewolfe #makeitbeautiful #makinghouseahome
Last night, just before 9pm, Olls and I headed out Last night, just before 9pm, Olls and I headed out on a bike ride to try out my new @everlasting_comfort bike seat!  We actually realized we probably wouldn’t be riding our bikes much this week so figured we better get a ride in before the heat arrived in Indiana again! 

I was pleasantly surprised with this seat though…I always use Mike’s bike because I don’t have one at the moment and it’s seat always feels a bit wonky and creaky.  We also call his bike the clown car 🤡 because the breaks squeak like a horn but that’s besides the point 🤣Anyways, this seat was so easy to install that I said multiple times to Mike “that’s it?!” And it was comfy too!  With memory foam padding, what booty wouldn’t like that?! 

Can’t wait to get out there again once the temps come down… but maybe that gives me time to work on those squeaky brakes! 🤡🤪

So…if you are looking for a new bike seat, this may be it!  It was an #amazonmusthave for me and there’s a link in my bio to get yours too! 
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#hbtbikeseat #everlastingcomfort #bikeseat #memoryfoam #comfybikeride #comfytoosh #letsgoride #iwanttoridemybicycle
Happy Father’s Day to the one with all the dad j Happy Father’s Day to the one with all the dad jokes and the smile that keeps us all not taking ourselves too seriously!  We love you! 💕
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#happyfathersday❤️ #dadjoke #makememoriestogether #daddysgirls #dadofgirls #fathersdayweekend
Even though it was in the 90s this past week and w Even though it was in the 90s this past week and will be again next week, I always seem to have a chill, no matter what the temp outside and I’m loving cuddling up in this @everlasting_comfort Sherpa blanket in prep for a fire with the family tonight! Anyone else looking forward to summer nights and all kinds of backyard bonfires? 

This Sherpa blanket is so comfy and cozy and even big enough for two people so when the girls want to cuddle I can let them in too!  And it comes in another color!  Totally crushing on it… 

And plus, can you ever really have too many blankets?! 

Click the link in my bio to get your own today! 
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#amazonmusthaves #hbtsherpa #everlastingcomfort #backyardcozy #comfyblanket #staywarmbythefire #backyardbonfire #sherpablanket
Thanks full for cozy spaces and air conditioning o Thanks full for cozy spaces and air conditioning on days like today with extreme heat! 🔥🔥🔥
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#livingroom #comfyfurniture #itshotoutside
#liketkit #LTKhome #LTKfamily #LTKunder50
https://liketk.it/3HE4X
Did a little rearranging around here yesterday bec Did a little rearranging around here yesterday because guests were coming over… I also hung some pictures and other things. It’s funny how even small changes can make a house feel more like a home… And it’s also funny that when one project comes to a closing point, how quickly others come into view!  New projects and shares coming soon! 

But can we just take a moment to give thanks for gatherings and visitors?  I hosted wine night last night so it made me clean the house 🤣 And who doesn’t get amazing satisfaction from a clean space?! Believe me, this doesn’t last long here 🤣

My only saving grace is that the kids will basically be gone for a little over a week… 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 it stays clean while they are home for a day 🤣
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#diningroomdesign #winenights #laughoften #cleanupday #homedécor #diningroominspo
Last week I ran a Memorial Day 10k and when I came Last week I ran a Memorial Day 10k and when I came home we had big pool plans for the day!  Well, I ended up falling asleep and then when I woke up, this one was asleep!  I sat next to her and she rolled over and curled up on me… 

I sat there thinking how much longer will I have this?  These little moments?  I’ll just soak it in… 

Sometimes we have big plans but there are other plans in store for us… 
Sometimes we just have to go with the flow…
It’s hard to believe we aren’t really in charge, but sometimes we just have to sit back and believe that it’s all going to be fine… even if it’s not how we planned! 
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#happytuesday #gowiththeflow #sleepymommy #takeitallin #littleones #enjoythelittlemoments #momofgirls #slowdownsummer
I’m so excited to share that we are finally done I’m so excited to share that we are finally done with the backyard patio update and  @oneroomchallenge!  At least for this year 🤣!!! It’s been a long, hard 8 weeks and I’m so proud of what Mike and I have pulled together out here! 

Swipe to see what we’ve done!  From the actual patio to the furnitue to the builds it was great experience and we can’t wait to enjoy the fruits of our labors all summer long!  A full update is posted on the blog (#linkinmybio), and more before and afters will probably pop up in stories after today… But it’s race day here in Indiana so I’m off to watch the race with family and friends! 🏁 

Wishing you all a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend! 
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@apartmenttherapy #oneroomchallenge #patiodesign #patiodecor #backyarddesign #ourbackyard #sitoutside #herecomesthesun #readyforsummer☀️ #orcat #week8 #finalreveal
Pretty excited for the final reveal of the @oneroo Pretty excited for the final reveal of the @oneroomchallenge this week!  While it was planned to be shared on Wednesday, we are supposed to have storms for the next couple days so I think I’ll plan for a Saturday reveal!  Which will also allow us a little more time to finish a last project (maybe)… But that reminded me that I forgot to share that my week 7 recap was up on the blog! 

So pop over there (#linkinmybio) to  read all about how far we’ve come and keep an eye out for other shares in stories!  And until the final reveal, enjoy this view… I know I am! 
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#revealcomingsoon #oneroomchallenge #indianalandscape #backyardgardening #prettyplants #plantersofinstagram #week7 #racedayiscoming #peonyseason
I’ll forever miss this little book from the old I’ll forever miss this little book from the old house… I continue to try to figure out where to put this chair in the new one, but I feel it’s true home will be in the basement… even after it’s finished… if that ever happens 🤷🏻‍♀️🤣

Do you all have a piece of furniture that you just can’t figure out where to go?! First, don’t be afraid to move things around (all. The. Time.). It’s ok!  But second, don’t force it… sometimes it takes time to realize the perfect place for something. 
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#vintagerattan #vintagewicker #mcmswingchair #swingchair #littlegirlsroom #nooks #favoritespots #designtakestime #dontrush #smallprogress
Back at it with the backyard! We finally moved th Back at it with the backyard!  We finally moved the table out of the garage! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 This @oneroomchallenge is fun, fulfilling, and exhausting but I can’t wait to see the final space!  Only 2 weeks left and still so much to do! 

This week we moved the table, created and planted some gardens, made some diy faux cement mushrooms, and put together new Adirondack chairs!  It didn’t feel like much progress until I wrote it all down! 

Check out all the #week6 #oneroomchallenge details on the blog today!  And make sure to catch the ORC highlight to see all we’ve done! 
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#orcat #backyarddesign #backyardgardening #backporch #diytable #wemadethis #patiodesign #patiodecor #comesitwithus #almostdone
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” – Audrey Hepburn
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#backyardgarden #diygarden #letitgrow #backyardveggies #backyardvibes #summergarden 
#liketkit #LTKfamily #LTKhome #LTKSeasonal
Treat Yourself Momma! Here’s a Mother’s Day g Treat Yourself Momma! 
Here’s a Mother’s Day gift guide for yourself!  Let’s be real we know what we want — take a min to grab yourself something you’ve really been wanting this weekend! 

And then cuddle with those little ones who made you a momma - swipe to see mine!  And of course, take some time for you! 
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#mothersdaygiftguide #treatyourselfmomma #momsdeservethebest #specialgiftsformom #whatshewants
#LTKGiftGuide 

Follow my shop @Little Miss Martha Blog on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit #LTKhome #LTKMothersDay
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/3EFpv
Over the last few weeks, we have been singing “T Over the last few weeks, we have been singing “The Neverending Story” song at our house (thanks Stranger Things) and it’s funny how that song relates to how this project feels like it is going! 🤪 It feels neverending over here!  Not many new big updates for the @oneroomchallenge @apartmenttherapy #oneroomchallenge but once again small strides mean progress in the end! 

While we are still trying to figure out what to do about the color of the table, we added the beginnings of landscape beds and even a new garden bed!  I’ve been to @loweshomeimprovement more than I’d like to admit in the last week 🤦‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤣

But read about all the updates on the blog today — I’m also gearing up for table staining/painting, garden details, lighting updates, and a couple other {hopefully} quick DIYS!  3 weeks to go! 
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#patiomakeover #backyarddesign #landscapebed #landscapingideas #orcat #mybackyardgarden #diybackyard #diygarden
I remember when the pandemic first started I thoug I remember when the pandemic first started I thought, why not try a garden. We had a really dinky little guy that housed lettuce, cucumber, and some tomatoes that just wouldn’t grow.  And I basically forgot about it midway through the summer 🤣🤦‍♀️

This year we are a little more settled and I am ready to this task once tackle again… We added garden beds to the @oneroomchallenge @apartmenttherapy backyard makeover we are doing and I think they are going to be perfect! 

Do you garden?! What’s your favorite thing to grow?  For me, there’s just something about having your own lettuce for a quick lunch salad!  Yum!!! 

More updates tomorrow! 
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#isntshelovely #backyardgardens #raisedgardenbeds #diygardening #oneroomchallenge #orcat #myhusbandbuiltthis #justbuildit
We are back at it with a week 4️⃣ @oneroomchal We are back at it with a week 4️⃣ @oneroomchallenge update on the blog today!  #linkinmybio This week felt like a lull of not much progress because of the weather but hopefully that’s changing! 

I’m heading out again today to grab landscaping things and florals for planters because I’m pretty sure we are in the clear for no more frosts and freezes! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 I went earlier in the week to @menards for the remaining lumber we needed and had to wear a winter coat! I hope we’ve finally crossed into true spring! 

Check out highlights & stories to see previous weeks updates AND a table preview!  @emukel20 has done an amazing job and I think it’s going to be beautiful!  Now to find chairs so we can actually sit at it! 🤣 
@apartmenttherapy 

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#oneroomchallenge #backyarddesign #backyardupgrade #patiomakeover #sittingonthebackporch #flowershopping #pleasewarmup #ORCAT #diytable #patiofurniture
A pretty great weekend was had here… We broke in A pretty great weekend was had here… We broke in the patio a bit and are now prepared for a summer filled with backyard movie nights!🎥

Big screen ✅
Projector ✅
Chairs & Blankets ✅
Popcorn ✅

How was your weekend? 
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@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/3DH9o
#liketkit #LTKfamily #LTKSeasonal #LTKhome #backyardmovienight #indianaweather #herecomesthesun #feelslikesummer #sing2 #backyardvibes #familyfuntime
Do you ever plan something in your head where your Do you ever plan something in your head where your children will be involved and then when it gets down to it you’re the only one doing the project?  Well that was me last night… 

Every Earth Day rolls around and I always want to make seed paper or flower bombs so I finally did it. While I thought it would be a great project to involve the kids on, they were over it by the time I got to it last night. So this exhausted, tired momma rolled these little seed bombs as the sun was setting! 

I’m actually thinking I might make some more and use in my landscaping/garden/flower pots for the @oneroomchallenge! 🌻 I already have plans to pass these out to teachers and neighbors! 

I shared the details on this easy DIY for the birds, bees, and butterflies, along with a cute little printable on the blog #linkinmybio!  How will you celebrate #earthday2022 🌎? 
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#earthdaydiy #earthday🌎 #happyearthday #flowerbombs #seedbombs #neighborgifts #spreadbeauty #savethebees🐝
This whole @oneroomchallenge thing really keeps yo This whole @oneroomchallenge thing really keeps you on your toes!  It’s week 3 and we’ve gotten some furniture in and put together and we are making small strides! 

At the moment I’m still #scotchgarding all 10 cushions — I’m about 3 in still… And Mike’s in the garage building me a table (while being distracted building things for himself too🤦‍♀️)! While it doesn’t feel like much, I just keep saying there’s 5 weeks left, you are doing great, but yes, you’ve got a lot to do!

You can read all about every week of the #oneroomchallenge on their blog and follow my progress on my blog too!  Hellomissmartha.com 
✨Plus you can check out the highlight reel on this profile too! 

Oh and after I put all this out last night, of course we had wind gusts of 40mph so swipe to see what I woke up to 🤦‍♀️
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@apartmenttherapy #orc #mypatio #backyardupdate #week3 #followalong #kellermeyerchronicles #letsrelax #backporchliving #ORCAT
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