By Wendi Rank

After three nights of heartburn and nightmares, I’m ready to admit I’m anxious about school.

I’m also confused as to why Sandra Bullock had a star turn in my nightmare. If celebrities are going to pop up in my sleep, I’d like to request Chris Evans. Chris Pratt would get the job done, too.

My high schooler has asked to be homeschooled. My middle schooler wants to go to school in person. I’ve committed us to distance learning for a few weeks before we make any decisions.

Enter the heartburn and Sandra Bullock.

If you’re overwhelmed, facing nothing but hard choices, The New York Times offers some tips to smooth your path into the school year.

It’s Not The Spring

Jenny Anderson, writing for the Times, says things don’t have to be like they were in the spring.

Her article points out we, as parents, are there to monitor and support. When we run into problems, we should be reaching out to teachers or support staff. Anderson also says to determine your child’s optimal learning style, then maximize it.

Embrace Your Feelings

The New York Times Pooja Lakshmin says you’re likely to be conflicted about the choices before you, even after you’ve made your decisions. You’ll be tempted to find support, multiplying your stress. So give Google the day off.

Have a plan in place to deal with doubts before they surface. A little self-care can distract you from your worries.

We’ve all lost something in the pandemic, so giving everyone – including yourself – some space to mourn can ease your conflict. And anticipating changes can make the next difficult decision easier.

Work Your Decision

Economist Emily Oster suggests we recognize when we have nothing but bad choices before us. Her decision tree suggests we identify what we’re deciding. Next, figure out how you can mitigate the hazards in the decision. Then you can accurately see what’s good in the choices, and what’s bad.

Unless your choosing between Sandra Bullock and Chris Evans. There’s just one good choice there.

See here for Dr. Oster’s decision tree. The New York Times’ articles can be found here and here.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wendi Rank is a Willow Grove native with a graduate degree from LaSalle University. She has worked as a school nurse, a registered nurse and nurse practitioner in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She has previously written for the journal Nursing.

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