Back in 2020, as families across Ireland juggled homeschooling with working from home during the Covid-19 lockdowns, a letter from a primary school principal struck a chord with thousands of parents. It offered something many of us needed at the time: permission to stop trying to be superheroes.
Years on, the pressures have changed shape, but the underlying message hasn’t dated at all. Whenever school workload, homework, or the sense that “everyone else is managing better than us” starts to weigh on you, this letter is worth reading again.
Catriona Golden, principal at Ennis Educate Together National School, wrote an open letter to parents that was shared widely online and picked up by the Irish Times. We think it’s a really good reminder about balance, and about not putting unnecessary pressure on yourself.
Message to Parents From a School Principal
Here’s what Ms Golden had to say:
Dear Parents and Carers,
Lots of people are feeling stressed, overwhelmed and under pressure by everything that’s happening. This includes the work being sent home for your child. I wanted to give my perspective on it all as a school principal, and I hope this can help.
A few points to note first:
- This is not homeschooling. This is an unprecedented situation impacting the whole world. Let’s keep perspective. Homeschooling is a choice, where you plan for it and become your child’s teacher in whatever form you choose. This is, at best, distance learning – in reality, it’s everyone trying to figure out what’s right and wrong, because none of us really know.
- You are, and always have been, your child’s primary educator. If you decide that your child isn’t going to engage with everything sent home, and is instead going to spend the time playing outside, baking, or watching TV, that is your choice and your right. There is nothing to feel guilty about.
- Schools don’t have all the answers either. There was no notice, no preparation time, and no expectation that lessons would simply continue exactly as normal at home – that’s not possible. If it were, teachers wouldn’t be needed at all.
- It is not realistic to fully support a primary-aged child’s learning at home while also working your own job at the same time. If you’re trying to do both perfectly, stop. You can absolutely have activities where your child learns, but your job – and your own wellbeing – matters too. Stop trying to be a superhero.
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So, a few common questions parents had:
My school has sent home lots of work. How am I supposed to get through it all?
You’re not, and you don’t need to. Teachers often gather materials quickly, wanting to make sure enough goes home. It’s not a competition – it’s unlikely anyone will check every page was completed.
My school keeps sending more links and emails. How do I make it stop?
Treat these as suggestions and ideas, not requirements. Use what suits your family and skip what doesn’t. If it’s adding to your stress, it’s fine to simply not open every email.
Another child in the class seems to have everything done. Will my child fall behind?
Even under identical circumstances, children learn at different rates. Classrooms already contain a wide range of levels and paces across every subject. This is mostly revision and reinforcement – children will cover these concepts again, more than once.
We’re not doing much “schoolwork” – just building, cooking, and playing outside.
That is learning, and valuable learning at that. Give yourself, and your child, a break.
How can I manage different work for children of different ages?
You likely can’t do it all at once, and that’s okay. Where children are old enough, encourage short bursts of independent work. Otherwise, look for activities everyone can join together – a shared story, some free writing, or baking.
So what’s the bare minimum to aim for?
Simply getting through the day well is enough. If a teacher wouldn’t understand that in circumstances like these, their opinion isn’t one to lose sleep over.
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Ms Golden’s ideal for the children in her school was simple and practical:
- A bit of reading every day (independent, read aloud, or via audiobook)
- Some free writing now and then – a diary, or even a drawn comic
- Practical, hands-on maths through cooking, cleaning, or maths games, physical or digital
- Some fine motor work – building blocks, cutting, playdough, tidying small toys
- Physical exercise every day
- Some art or music through the week, without needing to be formally guided
- For older children, an independent project – researching a topic and presenting it back is great for keeping young minds ticking over
- For younger children, plenty of imaginative, independent free play
You are doing enough. You are loving your kids and supporting them through a difficult time. Look after yourself – minimising stress matters for everyone’s mental health.
Don’t let school pressure be something that weighs on you. You are your child’s primary educator, and how you approach this is genuinely your call.
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What did you think of this message from a school principal? Did it resonate with you? Leave a comment below and let us know – we’d love to hear from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this advice only relevant to pandemic-era homeschooling?
No. While the letter was written during the Covid-19 lockdowns, the core message – that parents shouldn’t pressure themselves to replicate a full school day at home – applies any time school workload or homework starts to feel overwhelming.
How much schoolwork should I really expect to get through at home?
Focus on your child’s wellbeing and steady progress rather than completing every page sent home. Quality, calm engagement matters far more than quantity.
What if my child seems behind compared to classmates?
Children naturally learn at different paces, even in a normal classroom. Occasional gaps at home are not something to worry about – most material is revisited and reinforced later.
What counts as “learning” if we’re not doing formal schoolwork?
Everyday activities count: reading together, cooking, imaginative play, and outdoor time all support a child’s development, even without a workbook in sight.
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