Letters to the editor for May 1

Thank you, Parent to Parent

As a local pediatrician, I wanted to commend South Sound Parent to Parent (SSP2P), and make the public aware of the many support services offered for children and families in our community during this outbreak.

SSP2P is a nonprofit providing free services for families with children with developmental delays, disabilities, or chronic illness in Thurston, Mason, and Grays Harbor counties. It seamlessly converted to online therapy and support without a break in services when schools first closed. Evaluations with occupational, physical, and speech and language therapists continue virtually, and family resource coordinators and home visitors spend time with families via video visits.

They also recently received a grant to purchase devices and connectivity for families without online access.

SSP2P also has the Helping Parent program which is running weekly support groups via virtual platform for parents and siblings of patients with disabilities. They offer a YouTube channel that has wonderful resources: story time, crafts, language and motor development videos, and Ask Jim (a special education teacher who will answer questions at AskJimssp2p@gmail.com).

The staff offers support for parents of foster children and families experiencing domestic violence or anxiety, depression, and stress during this unprecedented time.

There is no need to go through this time alone! Any family with a need can email director Kim Smith at ksmith@ssp2p.org or visit www.ssp2p.org.

Thank you SSP2P for what you are doing for the children and families in our community!

Telecomuting not for all

During this coronavirus pandemic, our country finds many employees working from home, which is not an easy or enjoyable feat for all.

I have worked from home for almost a decade. I fell in love with an active-duty soldier and fortunately, telecommuting allowed me the ability to stay professionally relevant while meeting the demands of a military spouse’s nomadic life. Prior to teleworking, I had managed some employees who worked from home. Along with the technical obstacles and expenses of establishing remote workers lay the challenge of selecting employees with the professionalism to operate autonomously and feel content with their jobs.

Polling while on work calls this week, I received overwhelming consensus that teleworking is not for most. Some are too easily distracted. Others long for professional social interaction. And others are not that comfortable with technology. In addition, this pandemic has our children home schooling, another layer of responsibility for parents remotely working.

Pre-COVID-19, regular outings were a must for those of us working remote — the opposite of those who commuted to an office and longed for time at home.

We are experiencing growing pains as we adapt to this unexpected new norm. A reminder to telecommuters and employers alike, be professionally kind to one another as teleworking is necessary for the times, but not necessarily for the masses.