Juggling Remote Learning And Work Is 'Hard' For Working Parents

PLAINFIELD, IL — With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic forcing children to attend remote classes, working parents — especially mothers — are facing unprecedented challenges.

The Plainfield School District D202 had a plan to bring back students in groups, however, as the COVID-19 metrics spiraled upward, it decided Nov. 9 to put its plans on hold indefinitely and not return more students until conditions improved. The multi-needs students also returned to remote learning Nov. 16. The district, however, did say that it is trying to bring back students in January.

But, as parents across other school districts in the state could be expected to see another semester of probable virtual learning if COVID-19 conditions don't improve, Patch asked them about the issues they're experiencing.

"I am working from home, but it's a huge struggle, it's extremely hard to get work done. I am beyond stressed every day, sadly then I am in a bad mood and the kids feel that," one working mother said. "And I feel guilty all day I can't help them more. They would normally be in daycare, but I had to give up our spot since I am able to work from home to someone who couldn't work from home."

According to a new analysis health-care start-up Maven conducted based on its survey of 440,000 working parents — including 226,000 mothers — roughly 9.8 million working mothers in the country are suffering from workplace burnout due to the additional responsibilities brought on by the pandemic. Women who are working mothers are 28 percent more likely to experience burnout than fathers, the analysis states.

Here are a few unedited comments from Plainfield Patch readers:

• "It has always been difficult for parents to raise a child in this age. Working in America has never been parent friendly. When I had my first, I had to quit my job so that I wouldn't have to pay a second mortgage for day care. But now there is a whole issue with working moms competing with men's salaries. It's no secret we usually make less, which means our careers are expendable regardless of our devotion to our careers. We usually have to take one for the team so that we can pay bills. Now throw in a pandemic and not being able to send children to day care without feeling like you are sacrificing the health of your family.
  Even as a stay at home mom I am finding that I am wearing too many hats. I'm not working (I don't know how those women do it) but I'm expected to keep the home clean, make dinner, raise my children (I put potty training on hold because I can not juggle that), be a 4th grade teacher/1st grade teacher, an art/music/gym/STEM teacher, lunch lady, and a personal secretary that keeps track of zoom codes, websites that need to be logged into, passwords, and schedules. It's a fun time for everyone!"

• "I pray every day my employer will continue to allow me to work from home. It’s not guaranteed and extremely stressful. Without that, I'm honestly not sure what I would do. Kids need stability and bouncing around to daycares while doing school is not feasible. My heart breaks for my kids who just want to step foot in their classroom one day this year."

• "My wife is having a really hard time right now. She was never used to working from home, and now works 40 hrs a week at a desk in our bedroom. It's not so bad when I'm home, but I also work 40+ hours a week and when I'm gone she's working her full time job and helping/supervising three kids on top of it. Then has to make dinner and clean up. Our kids are awesome and help, but they're kids in the end, and kids come lots of challenges!!!"

• "I am still working, my kids come to work with me. I work in daycare, so they do their remote work there. They are usually done with their homework when we leave to go home. So that has been good, the only thing is I have to pay so much to bring them. It's hard to make ends meet. But I can't leave them home alone, we wouldn't be able to make it on just one income."

• "Difficult now that my night job (worked 6 till midnight to be home with the kids and only have to pay for a couple hrs of babysitting) is closed again. Can't work during the day, can't afford full day daycare to get another job and my kids are getting depressed and totally checking out. I'm a single mom (again) with no family close by. I'm losing my mind. I was doing fine WITH A JOB. I don't qualify for more than $65.00 a week unemployment. (Tip wages) Remote learning is only a fraction of the problem. My 2 yr old isn't getting the in person therapist (4 different therapist a week) so I have to do therapy with him at home 40 hrs a week to keep him in track. I get emails from my kids teachers AT LEAST every other day because they are not doing their work. "

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