CAN I FIRE MY ‘PARENT’ TEACHER?

The first day it was perfect, new desk set up all fine, my books and laptop ready, coloured pencils all in line.

The second day, Mom was late, no excuse or reason why.

She laughed and blamed the tra c, but I knew it was a lie.

By the end of that first week,

Mom came in her pj’s.

She said it didn’t matter,

‘cuz we were staying in all day.

Week two it started getting worse, she’s on laptops more than me.

Said she’s planning great lessons, “You just wait and see.”

Her lesson plans were diƒerent, like I’d never seen before.

Art was making new patterns, while vacuuming the old rug floor. For Science we made Jello, even got to sample tastes.

Then high tech “Jello layering” that none would go to waste.

“Mom!” I tried to tell her,

“Our teachers don’t use phones. They’re the ones who tell us that you must leave them alone.” Week three she tired to threaten us that she would go on strike.

I guess we’re supposed to go online to give her plans more “Likes.”

Then there was an announcement, a special holiday that was new.

Dad said it was for “parent” teachers for which they’d paid their dues. Then one morning at breaktime, hide-and-seek we went to play.

Dad claimed he couldn’t find me, so I hid there half the day.

Our Phys Ed I didn’t like much, like a race to sweep the deck? A competition to pick the weeds?

Under my breath said, “What the heck!” The Board they sent a document, but I’d like to check and peek.

Where it was declared to parents, now a Ped Day ONCE A WEEK!

This one fault, I won’t complain, when outdoors for our recess,

Mom ‘forgot’ to call us back

—outside two hours— not less.

Dad kinda lapsed late one night, before bed he did make packed lunches, drinks and snacks in bags, wishing school buses back we’d take.

Mom starts her day with coƒee, it makes her smile a lot, but I do sometimes wonder, what’s in that mug she’s got?

But overall in looking back, it is a nice “new weird,” to have parents as our teachers ever since this virus appeared.

But I am almost positive all parents would agree, when life goes back to normal, guess who’ll jump with joy and glee? In fact I saw a petition, that my parents started online.

To give all teachers a pay raise, that millions already did sign.

Let’s give a cheer to teachers, teaching is a work of heart, can’t wait to give them a hug when school does finally re-start!

I do have to give a shout-out, more serious though this time, to all the hardworking parents, who are clocking more overtime.

From laundry, cooking and cleaning, medic, gardening and doggie care, the list could go on forever, but still have love to share.