The challenges of ‘homeschooling’: Having the grace to fail

April 3, 2020

By Ana Borden, NOLA Catholic Parenting

On Friday, March 13, like other parents with school-aged children, I picked up our kids from school with no certainty about what tomorrow would bring. My kids’ school bags were completely filled and, for the first time, there were more questions circulating in my mind than my children typically ask me at pick up.

Had our family been exposed? Were my siblings who live abroad safe? When was the next time my husband, the kids and I would see their grandparents and great grandparents?

The coronavirus pandemic suddenly put families throughout the country in crisis mode. Our community was not immune to the pandemic and quickly found itself in one of the worst scenarios.

That weekend, I was determined to enjoy our children and marvel in their innocence of the uncertainty in our world at that moment as we all enjoyed the beautiful weather. Confusion, frustration and ambiguity of the very near future began to seep into my heart with each news update, new finding, released statistics and the panic reflected in others.

The best remedy for me to reduce my anxiety and refocus on the next steps to protect and provide for my children was witnessing their joy and hearing their laughter while playing in unison as the birds chirped, announcing new life was on the horizon, and as the church bells rang in the background.

As mothers, we are programmed and expected to be multi-taskers, problem solvers and masters of all trades. Suddenly, like so many other working mothers juggling multiple children, I was thrust into the role of a school teacher, teaching lessons, coordinating schedules, accessing materials online, monitoring nap times and tending to the ongoing, different needs of young children in a changing environment.

My job was to do all that while shifting into a non-traditional work schedule, keeping up with the usual housework and keeping our kids safe and healthy and providing for them spiritually, physically and financially.

As soon as their assignments began to pour in and school and work schedules began to unravel – sooner than I had hoped – what I saw as failures suddenly became beautiful moments for them and me to savor.

Time somehow began to appear, and new habits formed. My oldest and I began to enjoy morning Mass during the week on television. The children initiated and led us in the rosary at bedtime. Quality family time became rampant. A quest for learning about the beautiful things and creatures God created around us became priority.

Have the challenges of homeschooling and changing work schedules exposed you and your family to God’s graces?

Ana Batista Borden is a native New Orleanian, wife, mother, architect and Roman Catholic. She and husband Brad juggle their own businesses while finding balance navigating life with little ones in the Catholic faith and as active parishioners at their church.

She enjoys walking adventures with her family, wedding cake snowballs and drawing and painting anything that has to do with buildings. Her favorite quote is from St. Mother Teresa: “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”