It started with the posting of schedules on Sunday. Parents were posting down to the minute regimes for the task of homeschooling their kids on Monday. Some parents went so far as to color coordinate their agendas. Some schedules were laminated. Other parents would comment, “Awesome.” “Can I borrow this?” “Can I share it?” Others would post a picture of their down to the minute schedule in the comments.

I mean sure, in my head I had a schedule planned; some notion of how we were going to get through 4 weeks of being at home. I typed it out in the notes app of my phone. I did not however translate my ideas on to paper with graphs and lines rendered in blood, sweat and tears then post it for others to marvel and envy. It briefly inspired me then quickly sparked dread that without such a schedule I’d be doomed. Forever doomed.

I was so grateful when some of these same parents posted midday how quickly their schedules were jettisoned for good old survival mode. They posted about tantrums and resistance counterbalanced with chocolate purchased for bribery. People described what their kids were doing but instead of using “kids” they swapped it out for “co-workers”. A Facebook game was born. Parents were connecting through humor; making the best of imperfection.

Honesty emerged and I was feeling much less pressure to be perfect or present some idyllic version of homeschooling ala Little House on the Prairie. (The Ingalls didn’t homeschool by the way. Why are they one of the first references folx have been using?)

Some parents were still posting about their idyllic homeschool adventures. Pictures of what seemed to be flawless days in spotless houses were posted with cynicism-free updates and vestiges of hope. Good for them.

I’d much rather see the mess. I’d rather commiserate about how the “best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”

Share great ideas? Yes. Be proud of what you’ve come up with to pass the time? Yupers. Document this time for posterity? Absolutely.

If it’s all gone perfectly? Keep it to yourself.

This is a time for humility. This is a time to use Facebook to connect; not alienate. Life is in the gritty details not the broad strokes. Share the sugar and the salt.

Remember not everything is at it seems.

Let’s be honest and get through this together.

What’s been your biggest “fail” so far? Share in the comments below.

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