We’re back to normal this week.
Well, as normal as things can be at the moment.
Last week Rhys was stuck at home, not able to go anywhere at all, after a child in his class at school tested positive for the virus.
I really wasn’t sure at the start of the week how it would all go, but he’s coped so well, and managed to keep up with all the school work that his teacher set each day. I was really impressed with how well organised the whole week was; the school have obviously worked hard to put plans in place ready for when a class inevitably had to stay home for a week or two.
Rhys’ teacher did a live video call each day with the class and that made such a difference in helping the children feel connected and keep the momentum going with their learning.
And it was quite nice to get some sort of insight into Rhys’ school life that I would never get under normal circumstances.
I hope it’s not something we have to do too often though, it was a tiring week all round trying to balance everything again.
In a way I think it would’ve been easier to have both children at home, but Nerys was still able to go to school so I still had the school run to do each day with her.
She was happy that she didn’t have to miss any school, but there were a few grumbles in the mornings when she was tired and not impressed with having to be the one who had to get up and dressed.
I think all the changes and restrictions are starting to get to her a little bit, and she needs us a bit more than usual at the moment. So we took our time walking home from school each day last week.
We took the slightly longer route home through the park. We stopped and rested for a few minutes while she had a snack along the way. We slowed down and looked out for the prettiest leaves and the crunchiest ones to stomp on.
And I stood and waited each day while she walked along this wall, holding on to the blue railings.
It’s something both the children have done since they were little, and she’s so happy now she’s big enough to pull herself up on to the higher wall without my help.
There were a few days last week when, by this point in our walk home, I just wanted to keep moving. To get on home so we could get tea sorted. But she was so keen to extend our time out as much as possible. To just be with me.
And it made me stop and remember that it’s such a privilege really, isn’t it. To be that to someone. To have someone want nothing more that to just be with you.
Things are looking like they might be changing again very soon here in Wales, with talk of another big lockdown. So the few things that have started to bring a little sense of normality back for the children might be stopped again for a while.
I wrote last week about how it’s all making me so sad for the children at the moment. All the little things that are just not quite right for them.
So wherever I can I’ll keep giving them what I can.
The extra few minutes playing on the wall on the walk home, buying us that bit more time together.
One more page of a book at bedtime.
Cwtches first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and whenever they’re needed throughout the day.
And honestly, those things are almost as much for me as they are for the children.
oh you are so right, those little moments when they need you really don’t last. I have older children now and my youngest, 10, has always gone to bed with no problem. But on Saturday he was a little unnerved by something and kept getting out of bed. His Dad was getting annoyed, but I spent a little time with him in his room and it brought back so many memories. I so wish I could have those bedtime stories and cuddles and extra time together back. My three barely pay me any attention now, so I suck it up when they do.
I remember the days when going somewhere would take twice as long, but I do look back wth happy memories of them. I hope you are ok just seen something about a firewall lockdown in Wales
On yes enjoy every moment with them.
A lovely post, Madeline. You have described the situation so well. The memories you are creating now will stay with you and the children for years to come,even when they think they are too big for cuddles and crunching through leaves. Believe me, I still remember those days when you three were little!
I’m holding on to the fact that they’ll go through the phase of thinking they’re too big for those things and then come round to realising no one is ever actually too old for things like cuddles and leaf-crunching! x
Well done Rhys. It sounds like he did really well with being at home. Well done to the school to for being so organised.
My eldest has been doing video calls from college and it is really interesting to hear what she’s learning. x
Yes I drink it all in as much as possible.
It’s all too easy to blink and miss things otherwise isn’t it! x
I am so glad she was able to stick with her schooling! It is a strange time.
I can’t imagine trying to deal with one child at school and one not. Life is a constant juggling act for families without that sort of thing thrown in the mix! x
We managed to avoid any isolation last half term – glad you got through it. Lovely that the teacher did a video call every day 🙂 #livingarrows