TV news just covered a mom who had her fill of schools not opening. She started her own union of moms who felt the way she did. I applaud her willingness to take action, but I was surprised when I did an online search to find out more.
I thought her complaint, as well as other moms joining with her, was that her kids were not receiving the education they needed. Her Opinion article in the Portland Tribune told me something different. She complained, “Working moms are being forced out of the workplace at a higher rate than working dads. We are already paid less, and are often overlooked for opportunities to advance in the workplace compared to our male counterparts.”
Reviewing her obligations, she said, “I’m asked to do more than ever during the work day. I’m an employee, coworker, digital marketer, teacher, principal, lunch lady, PE teacher, and IT tech. It’s impossible to give 100% to any of those roles under these circumstances.”
In one paragraph she refers to the deleterious effect distance learning is having on her 2nd grader, but again the emphasis was on her feelings of “suffocating guilt and anxiety.” She then warns about women allowing themselves to go back to the standards of the 1950s.
I offered a prayer for this mom and for all parents who are collapsing under the weight of added responsibility. I do not have school-age children; however, about a year ago I felt the same sense of being overwhelmed by my responsibilities. Those at my church offered help, but I wasn’t rational enough to figure out how they could help me. I sense this same frustration and dismay in this mother. I ask you to pray for her and all who are troubled. And we must not forget those mothers who are without a husband to lean on.
I found my relief by going to my Lord and putting my burdens on him. Psalm 68:19 says, “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” And in Matthew 11:28 
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” I think her guilt and anxiety come from her possibly self-imposed need to be all things to all people, all the time. That’s not possible. I suggest that she, and anyone facing her circumstances with a feeling of failure, sit down with her husband and discuss which of her responsibilities can be shared, which can be eliminated until conditions change, and what priority to give those that cannot be eliminated or shared. Then pray together for God’s help to follow their new program.
Pray also for the teachers whose union affiliation prevents them from in-person teaching. They also may be having feelings of failure and guilt.
We are in a difficult time. God will be with us in our struggles.
No testing has overtaken you except ordinary testing. But God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tested beyond your ability, but when he tests you, he will also bring about the outcome that you are able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (EHV).