Chickens Against Dementors!

[psychomath]

New thread!

Chicken ads for anyone who missed them.

Anyway have fun everyone, I'm off to sit in the park now that it's allowed.

Good advise from the TES (for teachers) but could help some of the dementors too

"Children look to the adults in their lives as role models. Therefore, it is important to avoid catastrophising, keep a balanced perspective in life and maintain a hopeful outlook. This can help create a sense of acceptance around change and it can provide a space for children to begin to problem solve.

It is important to be truthful, but also to reassure. Maintain consistent boundaries, as this can provide feelings of safety. Continue consistent routines as much as possible, but remember that it is also OK to have some flexibility. Model good self-care, focus on wellbeing and limit children’s exposure to constant talk about the virus."

(on supporting mental health of children as they return to school)

www.tes.com/news/coronavirus-school-reopening-key-mental-health-questions-answered

I haven’t seen my family since Christmas... we were all unwell around the Feb half term with what we dismissed as a really filthy chesty cold at the time (though we do half-wonder now....), then DS had scarlet fever, then mum was working every weekend... then lockdown. It’s too far to go without staying over. I miss them all so much.

I'm in the same situation where it's too far to go to see the parents without staying over and I'm tempted to go and stay the night next week. I've been so careful not to get near anyone for the last 8 weeks that I think I've more chance of winning the lottery than be carrying coronavirus right now.

It seems like the lowest risk time for me to go would be now when everyone has been isolating for weeks. I can't wait months and months before seeing them, my mum has already reached the teary phone calls stage.

I've only seen one Misery Meme today, on FB, so that's a good result.

And read one article somewhere (I forget where) that said The Public were Flocking to beauty spots etc. It then showed a couple of pictures of scenery with one or two people in it, which even by a massive stretch of the imagination could not be could a flock.

To be fair, the guidance for schools is reasonable, but there isn't a way to implement it. Where are the spare classrooms and members of staff coming from? If the government could help them work that out, then they should open asap in my opinion. As it is I do feel for teachers, can you imagine dealing with parents everyday anyway, let alone if things arent done as they are supposed to be done. The primary school I used to work at before seeing sense and escaping the profession has 6 for the whole school, I don't think it's being over cautious to want a few more sinks knocking about, but many won't be able to afford it out of their budgets. Anyhow...

@heroku

I'd go.

Orange “It is quite funny that people are going on a protest picnic when they can have picnics. Think they will look daft“

It’s a protest because gatherings of more than two, mixing households, are banned. And they will share food and not social distance.

I saw a group of young adults in the park and thanked them for being there. They thanked me for not judging. They were about twenty in number? Could be a very large house share but I doubt it!

I saw a police car on the way back, hope they don’t break up.

I would too @heroku.

I've found my people.

I can't stand the hysteria over this virus, and the fact that it's bought out the absolute worst in people.

Took my kids out in the car today for the first time. We drove a whole 7 miles to a nearby beauty spot which obviously makes us murderers. I've been taking them out round our local area every day and was really pleased to get a change of scenery.

Unfortunately, my 7 year old who is quite anxious generally, got quite freaked out and kept asking to go home. I think he was scared of being away from home. I'm gutted for what this lockdown has done to him.

SunlightBaby
You're not alone in the world of goody 2 shoes - I haven't broken the rules either; actually not even sure I've broken any of the insane dementory ones though I haven't yet put cheese in my coffee so I obviously haven't really got into the spirit of lockdown.

It is important to be truthful, but also to reassure

This made me smile, I have to say- it reminded me of when ds1 broke his arm and had to have it set. In the pre-op room (I can't remember what they actually call it) the anaesthetist kept talking about a little butterfly that was going to settle on ds1's hand, and give it a little sting, and then ds1 would drift off to dreamland... Ds1 looked at me, bewildered (he was 6), and I briefly said "It'll hurt a bit, like a pinch (and gave his hand a little pinch) then you'll go to sleep and when you wake up it'll all be done".

I had visions of him having a lifetime fear of 'stinging butterflies' and wasn't going to have that

Truth and reassurance. That's what children need.

This is so reassuring to hear. Children will do what they see, not what we tell them. Role modelling good emotional resilience is the best thing we can do for them right now. I get that it's hard though, and I think the media have a lot to answer for in their hand in this.

Regarding schools, I've been wondering why the same approach couldn't be taken as was the approach to expanding capacity in the NHS? So mass building of temporary school structures, recently retired or recently left the profession qualified teachers recruited back in to teaching. Just to create the actual physical space and resources for schools to spread out.
Parts of playing fields could be used if children are having breaks on a rota.
It would mean schools acting as one as the NHS has, despite actually being run by numerous trusts.
I mean, I know nowt about it, but I'm happy to float the idea here where I won't be screeched at!

My FB is empty now. House is quiet cos the kids are away which is the oddest feeling. Now if I could just get rid of DH for a few days I might regain some sanity.

Nearbyish costa drive thru reopening tomorrow - I am sooooo happy.

Thanks @Shodan and @Sandybval I've been second guessing myself because I know it's breaking the rules and I'd feel awful if I made them ill but realistically the risk to mental health at this point is worse.

Heroku “ It seems like the lowest risk time for me to go would be now when everyone has been isolating for weeks. I can't wait months and months before seeing them, my mum has already reached the teary phone calls stage.”

I agree. I think the higher risk will be if more freedom is ever granted. Also I think the constant threat of putting us back into full lockdown is major.

I don’t know what age you’re parents are but I doubt they will ever officially say “you can visit over 70s now”.

My boys (the big hairy one and the DS) went to the beach today.
Built sandcastles and had a lovely time, too.

This is me, waving my (working from home AND BLOODY WORKING HARD) public sector arse at the Dementors...NOT from the beach because see above.

Just read a FB post on a mum-huns local group - asking if people were sending their kids into school in June. Pleasantly surprised to see a variety of answers but all respectful of each other's views and reasoning. Quite supportive to those who are anxious etc and recognising different people have different views/risk thresholds. Phew.

Just been to the park and shop (city centre) there are quite a few groups of young people (gosh found like a fuddy duddy) and a few little gangs on bikes smoking weed nobody seems to mind

Went to the shop for popcorn and wine and got a paper- this is funny all the papers had rainbows on them with backgrounds in different colours!

Blue, green and gentle colours, with Stay Alert! on them

It says We can control the Virus if we all (insert rainbow) Stay Alert!
Keep our distance, wash our hands, think of others and play our part

Replacing the scary ads I guess. It made me smile..

Oh and no-one is wearing masks anymore either, didn't see anyone they all seem to have taken them off!

I've just had to turn off our local BBC news. Exclusive access and special report on the Critical Care unit at one of the local hospitals, followed by a piece on the care workers who have died - "we talk to two grieving families '. That was just in the What's Coming Up piece.

I am not underestimating how serious this situation had been, and my heart goes out to everyone who is grieving or struggling through this, but it seems to me that the BBC seem to wallow in the negative in this and can't bear to report any positives.

I’ve hardly seen any news since this started.

If they actually have schools go back, I hope that they will stop the daily briefing too.

Yes the BBC need to change the narrative to stories of recovery, impacts of lockdown, behind the stories, have a more positive feel in general. We don't watch it anymore. They wouldn't do that constantly with other illnesses would they.

I only watch the daily briefings with Chris Whitty. That man is brilliant. Can he be my patronus?

I too have stopped watching the news. And I don't watch the daily briefing either. I do however follow an Instagram account that gives you a little bullet pointed list of what they talked about. So I know what's going on but I don't get angry about all the waffle that goes alongside it.