Save up to 50% on new deals from 40 Boxes!

Open menu

  • Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2023 ABC News
  • Family

'You and your friends are making history': Mom's post on virtual learning goes viral

VIDEO: Mom's daily remote learning morning announcements are hilarious
0:59
Mom's daily remote learning morning announcements are hilarious
ABCNews.com
ByNicole Pelletiere
February 18, 2021, 12:52 pm

A mother's viral post explaining how she's encouraged her son through remote learning is hitting home for parents on Facebook.

Christine Derengowski, a writer from Grand Blanc, Michigan, shared with her followers the unique perspective she said she gave her 7-year-old son when he was recently struggling with an assignment.

"I said, 'You won’t get in trouble and you can’t fail first grade. In fact, you’re kind of a superhero yourself,'" Derengowski wrote in the Facebook post on Feb. 11. "He sat up in his chair just a little and looked at me with disbelief."

She went on, "I said, 'Do you know that no kids in the history of kids have ever had to do what you’re doing right now? No kids in the history of kids have ever had to do school at home, sitting in their bedroom, watching their teacher on a computer. You and your friends are making history.'"

Derengowski explained how a "visible weight" was lifted from her child's shoulders. The post was shared 713,000 times.

Editor’s Picks

Mom's photo of son crying on 1st day of virtual kindergarten hits home for parents

  • Aug 27, 2020

Teachers speak out after voting to teach from home, refusing district's plan for return

  • Jan 26, 2021

Teacher's tearful selfie video reveals struggles of online teaching amid COVID-19

  • Oct 08, 2020

"I wanted him to know that he wasn't alone -- that his friends are all struggling and they're all doing a great job," Derengowski said, adding that the comments from families were "overwhelmingly positive."

"It made me feel like I wasn't alone as a parent--hearing the stories," she said.

MORE: 91-year-old professor goes viral as he teaches remotely during the pandemic

Derengowski, who has another child in kindergarten, said both her kids have been learning remotely since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and are now engaging in hybrid models.

She said there have been many challenges and her boys have fallen behind in their work. She would like them to return to full-time, in-person learning as soon as possible.

"This has been more of a detriment learning at home than [it has been] helping them," Derengowski told "Good Morning America." "I'd rather have them in school due to the social aspect, independence -- things you can't substitute in remote learning."

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) said the goal should be "to have students physically present in school," though it supports schools closely following guidance provided by public health officials.

PHOTO: Christine Derengowski, a writer from Grand Blanc, Michigan, shared with her followers the unique perspective she said she gave her 7-year-old son when he was recently struggling with an assignment while online learning.
Christine Derengowski, a writer from Grand Blanc, Michigan, shared with her followers the unique perspective she said she gave her 7-year-old son when he was recently struggling with an assignment while online learning.
Christine Derengowski

MORE: Mom's photo of her kindergartner being 'totally over' virtual learning goes viral

"Children absolutely need to return to in-school learning for their healthy development and well-being, and so safety in schools and in the community must be a priority," said Dr. Lee Beers, a fellow and president of the AAP. "We know that some children are really suffering without the support of in-person classroom experiences or adequate technology at home. We need governments at the state and federal levels to prioritize funding the needed safety accommodations, such as improving ventilation systems and providing personal protective equipment for teachers and staff."

Derengowski said she shared her experience to remind parents to "hug your little superheroes today" and "don’t forget to cut them the slack."

She said she's also noticed positive changes since talking with and "easing up" on her kids about their assignments.

Her message to others is to motivate children as they navigate online schooling and try placing less pressure on them and yourselves as parents, she added.

Related Topics
  • Parenting

Editor’s Picks

Mom's photo of son crying on 1st day of virtual kindergarten hits home for parents

  • Aug 27, 2020

Teachers speak out after voting to teach from home, refusing district's plan for return

  • Jan 26, 2021

Teacher's tearful selfie video reveals struggles of online teaching amid COVID-19

  • Oct 08, 2020
Up Next in Family—

Mandy Moore shares hilarious way husband entertains son at the airport

October 2, 2023

Couple expecting baby with help of surrogate after breast cancer diagnosis

October 2, 2023

8-year-old asks dad for one more hug in heartwarming video

September 29, 2023

Experts warn of new child care crisis: What to know

September 29, 2023

Up Next in Family—

Mandy Moore shares hilarious way husband entertains son at the airport

October 2, 2023

Couple expecting baby with help of surrogate after breast cancer diagnosis

October 2, 2023

8-year-old asks dad for one more hug in heartwarming video

September 29, 2023

Experts warn of new child care crisis: What to know

September 29, 2023

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2023 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2023 ABC News