"Eventually, it’s getting easier."      

Moses Kimeli is a full-time Clark College student majoring in Early Childhood Development and Education. He works 15 hours a week at Clark College Child & Family Studies. While he is at work, his wife supervises their children: son Ian, 7, second grade, and daughter Honest, 5, in kindergarten. Moses is supervising his children’s remote learning. 

This story is part of a series of interviews with Clark College student parents about how they are balancing school, life, and work, during quarantine.

 Q: How have your children adapted to online school?  

MK: They are new from Kenya and are still learning English and communications skills. After a month, they were able to log into Zoom by themselves and do their classes. Now I study while my kids Zoom, but if they have concerns, they ask me for help. My son says he is tired of Zoom classes. My children want to go to school to see their friends. But they are getting better at Zoom classes—and eventually, it’s getting easier.   

Q: What is your children’s homework routine? 

MK: I have them sit down with me and I am present to help them with their homework. I am completely engaged with them. I don’t work on my own Clark College schoolwork during this time.  

Q: When do you have time to study for your Clark College classes? 

MK: Before COVID, I studied undisturbed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. when my children were in school. Now I still study during that time, but I must keep my attention and my eyes on my kids. My strategy is I wake up at 5 a.m. and do my homework because when my children wake up, I focus on them. I study late at night when they are asleep.  

Q: How has your family found balance doing online school? Do you worry about spending too much time on screens? 

MK: At first, it was challenging, but now we have a system. Last spring after COVID restricted us to doing school at home, I realized my family’s entire week was dominated by being online and looking at screens. So last fall, I scheduled a family break from screen time every weekend. By Friday at noon, we are all done with our homework. I collect everyone’s tablet and put them away until Saturday night. No homework for anyone. No Zoom. Nothing to do with online stuff. We listen to music, play, go bike riding, cook, just be together. This way is better for the entire family.  

Q: What’s your advice to fellow Clark students who are parents of school-age children? 

MK: Patience. Patience. Patience. If your kids can’t figure out how to do something, have patience. Take it easy. Everything will come out.