Back to school, life in a pandemic

Back to school

The events of the last year have been testing for all of us.  Enforced lockdowns, restrictions and now the children are back to school on Thursday 3^rd September.  I have enjoyed home schooling but now is the time for proper out of the house, school. My daughter is excited, she would go right this minute if I could take her now. My nine-year-old is not as happy.  When lockdown happened, he had only been at his new school a month so hadn’t had time to build new friendships. Since March he has spoken with a friend from his old school on a regular basis.  He will miss chatting with her on Thursday.

School preparations

I’ve ordered most of their uniform online. With supermarket delivery it was easily added to the order. Argos with Sainsburys TU offers delivery to home within days.  School shoes ordered online from the Clark’s Outlet.  At the moment I’m still avoiding shops as much as I can.

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Bento box

My seven-year-old is now going into year three, key stage two, which means the UK government no longer provide her dinner.  Unlike my son she is a super snacker.  She will happily help herself to salad and fruit from the fridge.  The Bento box cube  and  Bento lunch (UK, below)  offer different compartments for food, so sandwiches go in one place and the fruit and veg – cucumber, tomato, pepper in another.   She has a healthy appetite which is better than my sons two chocolate spread sandwiches and a yogurt daily.  We have added snacks and fruit to his lunch but he rarely eats it.  However, as he sees his sister’s lunchbox maybe he will follow her healthier attitude.

Thoughts

I’m nervous about them returning but will also be relieved for some quiet time.  They need school, the routine and the learning.   My daughter has said she loves science.  She loves to experiment and make a mess for mummy! She can make a mess for her teacher instead.

All the hype in the media about schools and the R number.  The very valid concerns from teachers.  The arguments for and against children wearing masks.  These all add to my anxieties as a parent.  Especially one who has been shielding a vulnerable husband since March.

I can’t keep the children off school that would be cruel and my daughter is very excited about going back. We have no option, but try not to project, to work a day at a time.  Try and trust that if an outbreak does happen then the scientists and government will do something.  My faith is wearing thin but we can’t do much else.

School

The school have adopted a one-way system, with white lines along the corridors. The year groups are being kept in their own bubbles and the teachers are not allowed closer then two metres to the children. I’m sure if a child is upset, they would have no choice but comfort them.  I’m not sure what the rules are on this and I know my children could be the first to try and hug their teachers on Thursday.  They are going to both be pleased to see them. I’m not sure how teachers will handle this as I’m sure many would normally enjoy and even appreciate the hug.

There will be staggered start and finish times, and the classes are entering and exiting through different doors in efforts to keep parents and children apart and distanced.

‘New normal’

So, what is the ‘New normal’?  I don’t like this phrase and find it scary.   This August we haven’t been far as I’ve been too fearful to go out.  The virus is still out there and people don’t always know they are carriers.  We have been for a few walks, but our usual trips to the city shops, fish and chips and the library haven’t happened.  I think we last did this in the February holidays. A time before the threat of Corona virus in the UK.

I hope that as the children get back to school it doesn’t affect the R rate too much.  The predictions say it will.   I don’t want to worry about it every time I step outside my front door.  The mask wearing though is a constant reminder that life is no longer the same.

Today

For now, it’s a day at a time. Return to school Thursday and we are ready, just the lunchboxes to make Wednesday night.  I’m still working from home which I’m very grateful for.  I’m happy talking on the telephone, things are still different for now.

I’m currently working on a western short story for a Writers Unite wild west Anthology, (5000 words max).  I have completed the first draft, I now need to go back and redraft it.  I’m aware that I need to do more showing then telling.  Writing the western has helped to keep my mind of other life events, such as COVID -19 and back to school.

So how are you?  Are your children/ grandchildren / or teaching.. back to school this week? Are they already back? What are your thoughts?

Take care all!

For more see, School holidays and plans during a pandemic

A plan and a model for murder – for Writers Unite photo prompt

Tea, sympathy and a need to fix things – for Blog Battle – Tea