Flexible Instruction Days (FID) sound helpful in theory. No icy roads, no missed lessons, and the day keeps moving forward. But for many parents, these days are anything but convenient. They bring stress, chaos, and a level of multitasking that makes even the most seasoned parents feel stretched too thin.
Chrissy, a mom of four and one of our Family Support Partners at Parent Alliance, knows this struggle all too well. By 8:30 AM on a recent FID day, she had already filled out four attendance forms, printed packets for a neighbor’s kids, and broken up a fight over the family iPad. And she hadn’t even opened her laptop to start her own workday. With two children diagnosed with ADHD and another with a learning disability, Chrissy knows that if she isn’t sitting beside her kids, the work isn’t getting done.
The packets Chrissy’s kids receive are no small task either. Between math worksheets, reading assignments, and science experiments that involve measuring snow, it’s a full day of work. And while Chrissy does her best to keep her kids on track, she admits that sometimes the temptation to just do the work for them is hard to fight.
“I just want to cross something off my never-ending to-do list,” she says.“But I have to remind myself this is their learning, not mine and restrain myself from just jotting down the answers.” Chrissy recognizes the privilege of having the tools to manage the chaos. Many families in her rural community don’t have Wi-Fi or printers at home. Parents often rely on their phones to download and print packets, but when that’s not an option, kids end up filling out worksheets from a parent’s phone screen. It’s far from ideal, but for many, it’s the only way to ensure their child stays caught up.
“I feel trapped on FID days,” she admitted. “I burn through PTO because there’s no other way to help them stay on task. I honestly don’t know how I’d survive if I didn’t work for an organization like the Parent Alliance that actually understands what this is like.”
It’s not just the volume of work or the competing demands from multiple children that make remote learning days difficult—it’s the mental load. The constant feeling of needing to monitor, guide, and make sure no one falls behind leaves little room for anything else, especially for a child who is struggling. Chrissy’s oldest, a 7th grader, often tries to step in and help, but it can lead to arguments with the younger siblings and causes even more mayhem in the house. For Chrissy, this balancing act feels relentless.
While Chrissy experiences the day-to-day chaos firsthand, Pam, an educational advocate and former school board member in Pittsburgh, has been digging into the bigger issues behind FID days. Pam’s concern lies in how school districts implement these days without clear guidelines, particularly when it comes to students with disabilities. Remote learning is often treated as a quick solution for snow days or emergencies, but many districts bypass the formal process required to apply for FID days through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). The result is a loophole that leaves kids without necessary accommodations.
Pam recalls a parent whose child was in a special education classroom. On the first remote learning day, the teacher simply said, “Don’t worry, we’ll mark everyone present. It’s a free day.” No instruction. No services. Just a day lost for the students who needed it most.
One of Pam’s biggest recommendations for parents is to take a proactive role in advocating for their children. “Review your child’s IEP or 504 plan,” she advises. “Does it mention remote learning? If not, request a meeting now—before the weather starts canceling even more days” She explains that many IEPs now include a drop-down menu with options for services “in school” or “remote learning.” If parents don’t speak up, those accommodations may not carry over on virtual days, leaving students to struggle alone.
Pam also warns parents to watch for another troubling trend—some districts are using remote learning as an alternative to suspension. Rather than formally suspending a child, schools send them home with asynchronous work. This may seem harmless on the surface, but Pam stresses that this is not legal. Schools cannot use remote learning as a way to quietly remove a child from the classroom without following formal suspension protocols.
While Pam’s advocacy focuses on the broader issues affecting remote learning policies, parents like Chrissy are left to manage the immediate, day-to-day realities. For Chrissy, every FID day feels like a race against the clock. Even after hours of helping her kids through their assignments, she knows there’s still work waiting for her late at night. “Tomorrow it’ll be over,” she says, “but today feels never-ending.” It’s a feeling that many parents know well. The constant demands of remote learning days can feel isolating and exhausting.
The reality is that FID days are challenging to navigate—for parents and kids alike. It doesn’t mean you’re failing if the day feels chaotic or if assignments aren’t perfectly completed. It’s okay to acknowledge that this is tough, and it’s okay to ask for help.
If you find yourself struggling with FID days or remote learning, here are a few things you can do to make the process a little easier:
Check your child’s IEP or 504 plan. If remote learning isn’t mentioned, request an amendment to ensure accommodations are provided virtually.
Reach out to teachers early. Don’t wait until the day of—ask how remote learning will be handled for your child ahead of time.
Lean on support. If your school offers virtual check-ins or one-on-one calls with teachers, take advantage of them.
Know your rights. If your child is sent home for remote learning as a form of discipline, report it. Remote learning cannot replace formal suspensions.
Want more answers to questions like "What are FID Days?" delivered directly in your inbox? Sign up today to join our FREE community of parents who know what it's like to raise a child who is struggling with their mental health.