TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Finance manager Mahnaz Ataei faces a daily juggling act at her Tehran workplace, supervising her 7-year-old son’s virtual lessons while attempting to complete her professional responsibilities.
Educational institutions throughout Iran remain shuttered following the conflict that began February 28 when the United States and Israel initiated military action, with officials providing no timeline for returning to classroom instruction. While concerns about aerial bombardments have diminished since a temporary ceasefire took hold, normalcy remains elusive.
Similar to the pandemic-related shutdowns from six years prior, working mothers and fathers with young children face particular hardships.
“My productivity drops when I have to pay attention to both my child and my work at the same time,” Ataei said. “The hardest part is trying to create balance between work and online classes, and always stressing over whether he is really learning his lessons properly.”
The conflict claimed no fewer than 3,000 Iranian lives, including over 165 fatalities from an attack on a primary school. The temporary truce is scheduled to end early next week, with Washington and Tehran remaining at odds over critical matters including Iran’s uranium enrichment program. A potential U.S. maritime embargo threatens to further devastate Iran’s already weakened economic situation.
Numerous families evacuated the capital with their children once the bombing campaign commenced. However, the increased security came with consequences including disrupted daily schedules, overcrowded housing situations, and economic strain. These families now face the challenge of rebuilding their normal lives without knowing what lies ahead.
“I feel like I’m suspended — neither in the air nor on the ground,” said Roya Amiri, a housewife who recently returned to Tehran after fleeing with her two sons, ages 10 and 18, days after the start of the war.
Amiri’s household joined hundreds of thousands of Iranians who abandoned the capital and other urban centers, seeking refuge in countryside locations or the relatively untouched northern regions. They found shelter with family members, creating a living situation with 15 individuals under a single roof.
Conflicts arose among the young people as they were crammed into tight spaces while their normal schedules and sleep patterns suffered disruption. Her younger son suffers from a breathing condition, and locating his required medicine proved challenging.
Educational facilities closed following the initial attacks, temporarily reopening with virtual instruction for one week in March before the Nowruz celebration. Distance learning recommenced on April 4.
Despite the possibility of renewed fighting looming over the capital, Amiri expressed confidence that returning to Tehran was the correct choice. Should warfare resume, she intends to remain in her own residence.
“I was tired of living collectively. I wanted to return to my own home and routine,” Amiri said. “I missed Tehran.”
Reza Jafari and his spouse relocated their children to stay with her relatives — another household that quickly accommodated more than twelve family members and extended relatives.
“Because the sound of explosions was distressing and my children were terrified, I left Tehran for their peace of mind,” he said. “I was happy to be with relatives. It felt like a forced but valuable opportunity to reconnect.”
According to Jafari, the youngsters appeared to adjust more quickly, surrounded by grandparents, cousins and continuous activities. The grown-ups struggled more with disrupted rest, lack of personal space, monetary stress and the fatigue that accompanies extended stays as houseguests, regardless of how welcoming the hosts.
Architect Padideh Teymourian and her spouse Amir Ramezani, who operates a jewelry business, have restructured their daily lives around their 6-year-old daughter’s virtual preschool program.
Teymourian’s workplace reopened following the holiday period and prohibited remote work arrangements, she explained. Staff members who didn’t report for duty were instructed to request unpaid time off.
Their mornings start with hurried preparations to establish a temporary learning space at home. One parent must remain beside their daughter during her entire class session, making sure she has the correct materials and stays engaged.
Ramezani adjusted his work hours to stay home during daytime hours. Teymourian assumes responsibility in the afternoon, using accumulated leave time to bridge the gap. “My husband’s work schedule has been completely disrupted, and I also take about an hour and a half of hourly leave every day,” she said.
Ramezani frequently arrives home well after midnight, once their daughter has already fallen asleep. Shared family meals have become uncommon.
“It has put economic and emotional pressure on both of us,” he said. “Life is moving on fast forward … You don’t even notice how the day becomes night. We’re just getting through time until things go back to the way they were.”
