Nontraditionals with school-aged kids, what's this school year going to look like?

[stayathomemom]

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I have three kids in school. It's looking highly unlikely there will be normal school, and even the hybrid model they proposed (half in-person, half distance learning) is looking more unlikely as the COVID-19 cases shoot up. Although I had already resigned myself to the fact that my normal premed activities were off the table, now I am considering full-on homeschooling because the distance learning our school was having them do last spring was so unproductive. This will take up an incredible amount of my time, as my kids are in very different learning stages (early elementary, late elementary, middle school). I feel like I'm taking huge steps back in my journey towards a career in medicine, but there is neither a precedent for this unpredictable situation, nor any other safe options for my children.

As I work on secondaries, I return to the question of "What are your plans this year?" And I feel really torn. I want to appear productive and outline a plan that illustrates my desire to be a physician, as I'm sure schools would like to see a student who is completely dedicated and making forward progress. But our bizarre reality is making it clear that I will be pouring far, far more time into my role as a parent than I have in the last few years, an unambiguous signal of my severely conflicting roles.

Anyone else struggling out there?

 

[GreenDuck12]

I have three kids in school. It's looking highly unlikely there will be normal school, and even the hybrid model they proposed (half in-person, half distance learning) is looking more unlikely as the COVID-19 cases shoot up. Although I had already resigned myself to the fact that my normal premed activities were off the table, now I am considering full-on homeschooling because the distance learning our school was having them do last spring was so unproductive. This will take up an incredible amount of my time, as my kids are in very different learning stages (early elementary, late elementary, middle school). I feel like I'm taking huge steps back in my journey towards a career in medicine, but there is neither a precedent for this unpredictable situation, nor any other safe options for my children.

As I work on secondaries, I return to the question of "What are your plans this year?" And I feel really torn. I want to appear productive and outline a plan that illustrates my desire to be a physician, as I'm sure schools would like to see a student who is completely dedicated and making forward progress. But our bizarre reality is making it clear that I will be pouring far, far more time into my role as a parent than I have in the last few years, an unambiguous signal of my severely conflicting roles.

Anyone else struggling out there?

None of my old teacher colleagues are talking about in person instruction until the spring due to the current rate of infection and expectation that it will rise in the fall and winter. I think if I were to answer this question, I would answer it as though it was a normal cycle and during an interview discuss how Covid impacted those plans. I also don’t think there is harm in discussing how you will manage both sets of responsibilities during this upcoming year. Most folks on admissions committees have children and families of their own.

 

[stayathomemom]

I think if I were to answer this question, I would answer it as though it was a normal cycle and during an interview discuss how Covid impacted those plans.

Except that my primary got out so late that by the time I get & submit my secondaries, I will not be able to gloss over the fact that there is nothing normal about the coming 12 months. I can't outright lie on a secondary.

 

[GreenDuck12]

Except that my primary got out so late that by the time I get & submit my secondaries, I will not be able to gloss over the fact that there is nothing normal about the coming 12 months. I can't outright lie on a secondary.

I agree. If your secondaries are going to be submitted in the next few weeks it’s likely you will have more clarity about what the next 9+ weeks of school will look like for your children. It could be a good space to discuss managing multiple roles, which you’ll have to do as a med student, and how you’re able to do that. That could go a long ways towards alleviating any concerns someone might have.

 

[stayathomemom]

discuss managing multiple roles
alleviating any concerns someone might have

Good point, it is a good opportunity for this. Thank you.