How is everyone entering week 140593 of lockdown? We are muddling through with lots of highs and a few lows. I seem to think one minute yep, totally got this, could carry on for months. Then out of nowhere I just want to cry all day, desperately sad missing my family and friends. I am sure the pregnancy hormones aren’t helping, I sobbed at The Mighty Ducks the other day for goodness sake.
Hardly known for my cleaning skills in normal times, the house has sort of taken on a new identity of “there appears to have been a struggle” in every room. It is a never-ending battle to keep things tidy, I have given up. It didn’t take much persuasion.
The colder weather the last few days has made a big difference and ruined our outdoor fun. The days always seem to drag on when we don’t include lots of fresh air. The children also discovered The Wiggles last week which has been on repeat and a tad annoying!
There seems to be a small glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for the children returning to school and nursery. When it was announced I felt it like a kick to the stomach. We have our rhythm at home for learning now and it seems such a scary prospect to leave our little bubble and potentially be exposed to the virus. It initially felt a bit spontaneous and knee jerk, especially the choice of year groups. After researching last night though and reading the policy in full, I feel a bit more confident that it isn’t a decision being taken lightly. I think it is easy for me to forget that we are all on the same team fighting the virus. I trust my own childcare settings implicitly to make both a safe environment for my children.
It is a good move to remove penalties for parents who don’t feel confident to send their children yet and I think it is important that everyone considers it carefully based on their own family. My initial feeling was I would carry on how we are but is that a projection of my own fear on my children? Thinking of their own happiness and mental health, a return to normality would be very welcome to them both. Yes, it will be a new normal but it sounds like this might be the way we operate for years to come. If I decide to keep them home does this mean I am signing up to home-schooling them until there is a vaccine? What realistically will change between now and September without a vaccine? So many questions, so few answers. I am really interested to know what everyone thinks about the decision and if you are sending your children or not?
As we carry on with our new normal, I can’t help but be grateful for the time we have been given to spend as a family. Having my husband work from home (the caravan) has been really lovely and I can’t imagine him going back. Having extra time with George and Wilf together before the third baby divides my time further has been really special and we have memories we will treasure forever. It is just a shame it is the result of a deadly virus that has caused so much devastation and hardship across the world.
The Lincolnshire Mummy 