Things feel like they’re back to being all up in the air again at the moment.
The Welsh Government announced at the end of last week that children in the foundation phase will be able to go back into schools after the half term holiday.
So that means that Nerys will be able to go back, but Rhys will still be at home with us.
I’ve spent the weekend trying not to think about it too much, because until I know the school’s plan for getting the children back in I really don’t know what we’ll do.
My gut instinct is that I would prefer to keep Nerys at home with Rhys for a while longer. I’m just not sure how safe it is for her to go back in, to be mixing with all the other children in her class again, and for me to be mixing with the other parents at drop off and pick up. With the best will in the world it is so hard to maintain social distancing at the school gates.
While we wait for news from the school I’m just trying to find things to do each day to keep my thoughts ‘in the moment’ instead of running riot with what-ifs, trying to predict what next term holds.
On Friday afternoon we popped down to the beach for a bit of sea air and it was the perfect thing to help clear my head.
We timed it just right to avoid the rain and also to get to the beach at high tide, so we could stroll along the tide line looking for interesting stones and shells, and watch the waves come gently rolling in.
I love coming down to the beach here, any time of day, any time of the year, but it is always that bit nicer when we can make it for high tide.
Swansea bay actually has the second highest tidal range in the world, so when the tide is out, it is OUT. So if we want to be able to hear the water, which is one of my favourite things about being at the beach, we need to try and get the timings right for high tide!
Luckily it worked out perfectly last Friday and it was just what we needed after a long week of school work at home.
We tried to make more of an effort last week to have breaks during the day to get out for a run around outside, or play something away from a computer screen, and the children seemed happier for it, so we’ll try and carry that on this week.
What do you do with your children at the moment to break up the day, or do you find you just tend to plough through the school work and then do something fun later on the day?
It is very odd to be putting Amelia and Molly into school next week but not Daisy! I’m just thinking that probably by the 8th March they will be all in and they are just staggering thing’s?
I have felt trapped indoors on the days I have to work. We usually homeschool up until lunch and then I work afternoons,so the girls tend do go in the garden on those days. Any school work we can’t manage we carry over onto weekend . When I don’t have work we get out a lot easier. So glad I’m only part time! Hopefully things will slowly get back to normal soon x
It is such a juggle isn’t it Cath! It does sound like they’re planning to get the older ones back into school as soon as they can, I’m just waiting to hear how school actually plan to do it all, if they’re going to stagger the return somehow. Still don’t really know what to do for the best! x
It must be so difficult having children of different ages. It seems so unfair that one can go and the other can’t so I see why keeping them both off until they can both go makes sense.
I’m so jealous that you can get to the beach! We’re about 2 hours from the coast so not something we’ll be doing for a while! I do miss the seaside though.
Katrina x
Such beautiful, natural photos. I too wonder what’s going to happen but like you try to think in the moment as otherwise I become overwhelmed.
We are very much the same re. school – every part of me is telling me to keep Little M off longer to protect us all. We still break up our day with walks, mainly because it’s one hour where we’re not creating even more mess/chaos in the house! Plus the fresh air seems to ‘lift’ me whatever else happens. Unfortunately the older children have to be logged into lessons all day and a register is taken each time. They only get a 30 minute lunch break so they just have to slog it out – pretty full on. Have a lovely week xx
oh gosh I hear you on the school struggle, and I cant imagine how hard that must be. I hope you have a peaceful half term and that the return to school is an easy one.
Thank you, half term has been relatively peaceful so far! x
These portraits are beautiful! I can completely understand what you mean. If we end up going back on 8th March as planned then mentally/physically I am so ready, home school is grinding me down. But, emotionally I’d rather than stay home longer until cases are much lower x
It’s so hard to know what to do for the best isn’t it, there are so many mixed emotions. x
What gorgeous photos. I would love to be able to just go to the beach at any time!
We are so, so lucky to have it so nearby! x
It isn’t always easy to fit in breaks is it so sounds like you are doing a great job. I hope you manage to sort out the schooling post half term and you find your way through it. x
Thank you, it really has been a juggle and it feels like something always has to give, but we’re getting there! x