Parents are the biggest heroes right now.

[cilla4progress]

I am losing it. Completely. On many levels - fear and rage.

I don't know how parents of young children - my daughter is 27, really does know everything (very aware), and that's hard enough - are managing.

Staying positive, upbeat, patient, yet vigilant, parents right now deserve all the support and gratitude there is.

[underpants]

1. I agree.

We were totally in the sweet spot for this whole thing. Both stayed fully employed working at home. Daughter old enough (thank god for cell phones) not to need daycare.

I saw that out county is using their schools as daycare while they are fully virtual for classes. The Y and Police Athletic League are supplying that personnel. Parents can go to work and their kid can do virtual class from daycare.

[cilla4progress]

3. I think what this boils down to

is only the children that don't have parents available at home are going to the schools? The ones at home doing virtual school, while the ones who need coverage are going into the physical school to do virtual class?

Because it sounds like some kids are staying home for school "fully virtual for classes," but / and some kids are going to the physical school - "county is using their schools as daycare" ... "parents can go to work and their kid can do virtual class from daycare."

Sorta like regular times, where there is a lot of homeschool, except physical school staffed by non-teachers, which allows teachers to stay home and teach.

Everything going virtual.

Interesting that LE is covering in part - since there is a movement to curtail what police do (Athletic League - not sure what it is?) and let social services take over more.

[LizBeth]

2. I agree, I have thought about how lucky my kids in 20's well aware and not willing to kill old

people. But it is not just covid, climate change nad so much more in their world is totally messed up. I hear very few educated kids in 20's talk about having kids. Mostly, they don't think the world will be a place to raise kids. That is huge.

[cilla4progress]

4. Absolutely.

I believe COVID is related to the climate crisis: overpopulation. That's why people are flocking to rural areas in response.

Only a matter of (short?) time...

Fortunately, my daughter - an only child herself for these very reasons (overpopulation) - got to work with little kids for a long time after college. Now she volunteers with "vulnerable" youth - teens, grades 7-12.

I bet she won't birth kids. Hopefully adopt, though.

[LizBeth]

6. That is so awesome. Thank you sharing a little about her. Our youth are who gives me hope, too.

Our educated youth paying attention. They are so smart. I tell mine when talking about the "very little time" with climate issues, the upside? There are a lot of smart young people out there looking to solve problems. Get past this Trump fart, and we are just about there. And lets get on it. The adults of the world because it is a world issue.

[MontanaMama]

5. My kiddo is 15...high school sophomore.

Going into this school year was so scary. He does in person learning 2 days a week with half the student body and remote learning 2 days. The only other option was the Montana Online Academy where students wouldn’t necessarily be bunched together with kids that they know, or teachers from their own school. It seem like there were no good choices for school. Kids are just getting ripped off...especially high school and I’m not sure there’s any remedy. My goal is to model a positive attitude for my son and there are days that it’s a heavy lift. I am afraid for his safety and mine and at the same time I’m so damned sad for what he is missing. Friday night football games, school dances, flirting in the hallway with a first crush...there’s so much! 100% remote learning kicked my ass last spring. We had tears every day. Sometimes his and sometimes mine. I am also grateful that we’re a self employed family...I can come and go from work as needed to support the kiddo emotionally. He’s 15 so he doesn’t need me all day every day...and when I’m at work, he can call or FaceTime me whenever.

Other than staying positive, I would say the other things we continually work on is resilience and patience. It’s a process.

I appreciate this thread. Thank you.

[cilla4progress]

7. Thank you, MM -

so much!

By the way, my daughter lives in Bozeman. She headed out on a weekend backpack trip in the Wind River Range on Friday morning.

I'm so anxious...when she gets out she will learn of the devastating fire in the Bridgers! Hope it spares Bridger Bowl.

[MontanaMama]

8. That fire in the Bridger's is crazy.

I hope they nip it. It is so dry all over MT. I cannot believe we’re not on fire here in Missoula. We’re supposed to get rain tomorrow. I really hope it’s true...and that the rain will settle in Bozeman. Has your daughter commented on the numbers of out of state people in MT? It is like nothing I’ve ever seen. I have a friend whose son just moved to Bozeman and he’s on a wait list for an apartment...the demand is so high. It’s like that here too. No apartments and homes are insanely expensive. This is off topic, I’m sorry. Wishing your daughter a safe return home and a respite for your mama’s anxiety. Don’t blame you one bit.

Nice to see you, c4p.

[cilla4progress]

9. Hi, MM

daughter has not mentioned it but we are seeing it here in rural eastern Washington. Property selling fast and construction. Lots of litter, too.