Parenting has always been a challenge but now, more of us realize that all challenges are not created equal. The ongoing pandemic, the worldwide protests, #blacklivesmatter, Pride Month, Phase 1 of re-opening Arkansas, increased COVID-19 cases, a Presidential election year, and the cancellation of most large venue events for 2020 has led to a general feeling of anxiety and unrest. May was Mental Health Awareness Month, but we might as well call 2020 the start of the Mental Health Awareness Decade.
Adults have a myriad of problems to navigate, the most looming one for parents just might be if we are going to be homeschooling again in August? Or, are we sending our kids to school with masks, extra hand sanitizer, and strict social distancing policies? Will campus supervisors and teachers be tasked with screening students and taking their temperatures? Are we actually going to have enough school nurses this year? The questions keep on coming.
Personally, quarantine has been a mixed blessing for our family. We have teenagers who have bonded with one another and become closer than ever. But they also are watching the days roll by and seeing friends hanging out at the lake or gathering in groups again while they are still quarantining at home. We have moved beyond basic grocery shopping to a few limited trips to select retailers and even visited a favorite hangout. Masking has become a routine out of consideration for others and an abundance of caution drilled into their heads by yours truly.
Our fingers are crossed for their friends who recently "graduated" virtually. Senior activities and graduation were postponed until July, mere weeks from now. Everything about their world is skewed and talking to them about avoiding the Summer Slide, that annual period where kids blow off anything remotely academic and basically forget how to read and do math is well documented. I almost don't have the heart to suggest they read e-books. We practically live in our libraries throughout the year. Physical books are an integral part of our lives.
The Central Arkansas Library System is reopening branches each week and the Museum of Discovery and a host of other venues are about to reopen this month. But for every place that opens, the list of venues and stores that have succumbed to COVID19 is growing. Recently, Altitude Trampoline Park in Little Rock announced that it will not be reopening. Pier One on McCain Blvd. has a "going out of business" sale happening now, and Chuck E. Cheese is in the process of bankruptcy.
But all of that is overshadowed by the growing #blacklivesmatter movement. Day by day we learn more about institutionalized racism, white supremacy, and crimes against people of color and indigenous people. How can we support, learn, protest, teach, and reassure our kids that everything will be alright when we are filled with questions and concerns of our own?
Macaroni Kid North Little Rock is committed to being here for you while we find the answers together. In this week's edition, we bring you a recommended reading list to help kids of all ages learn more about Black culture and history. And our event calendar is still filled with virtual events for those who are still isolating at home. As more venues open we are working diligently to confirm the information on upcoming events and get that to you on a timely basis. We urge you to confirm with the venue prior to going simply because changes may occur with little notice.
Aloha,
Sandra
