ADs won't tut when you're stuck in a rut, we're all too busy pouring Amaretto in our porridge

[BogRollBOGOF]

Welcome into another thread of alternative reality as we try to nagivate through the Coronacoaster of life.

We may be up, down, spinning around (generally in confusion at the next random edict drawn up on the back of a fag packet) but never sucking the joy out of life.

Watching an interview on BBC News channel with a partially sighted woman who has a guide dog who has been verbally abused and even physically pushed because she is unable to social distance , Guide dogs are trained in a certain way and see long queues outside as an obstacle. Outside one shop she got a lot of abuse from many people in a queue. Shes called Linda and the guide dog is Iggy. Whats the betting there is a correlation between the arseholes treating her like this and the ones who think there should be no mask exemptions.

That's the EHCP application finally sent off.
We got diagnosis right at the end of Nov last year, so by the time Christmas was done and I got over my first hump of procrastination, lockdown was rapidly approaching. Then he didn't set foot in school for 5.5 months so it couldn't really be dealt with anyway. Only taken me two months to pysch up, do it and press the send button since...

Too much time is never my friend!

Does anyone else just feel like their head is full of stuff. We have this mental load as parents and already have all the random stuff in there, and on top is this new level of stuff on top- uncertainty over exams, online parents evenings and the threat of the self isolation alerts...it all just goes on and is overwhelming.

Friend just returned one child to school after 14 days to have a call to collect the other one for another 14 days stint.

I felt like I was more competent at adulting before having DCs.

DS1 still operates at a level where he has to be reminded to sit down before he starts eating and to use cutlery, and to actually rub the tooth brush on his teeth. Far, far from the toughest gigs in parenting, but wearing nonetheless. By the time I emerged from the tyranny of the toddler years with them both, I've lost the ability to do simple grown-upping tasks like buy a birthday card and post it off in a timely fashion. Trying to do the half an hour walk to the post box 4 minutes away with umpteen tantrums and around naps seemed to permanently break that little function.

More seriously, I doubt DS1 is the only dyspraxic person in this house.

@MissEWeatherwax

The numbers in my little district have stayed pretty constant, I’ll take my chances. I went to town yesterday and bought a unnecessary cappuccino, then met a friend for a walk at the local park. Loads of people out doing the same. All social distanced and the playground was open. I did 15000 steps and was shattered. You lot are so good at poems. I was reading pregnancy one and no wonder there has been an increase in still births. Are they really saying if you have reduced movements and a slight temperature you have to get a COVID test before you get checked out! Your baby could be dead by then.

Still catching up on the full thread but I just want to say to anyone.. If you get reduced movement or even think you might, go get checked. I experienced reduced movement, got it checked out and was sent home but booked in for a scan after the weekend. During the scan DS didn't move at all. I was rushed through for an induction (which still took more than 24 hours) and DS had an infection which meant he spent his first week in NICU. But thank goodness it was spotted and acted on in time. Faffing with a covid test is stupid. I would rather go into a red ward and get covid than risk losing a baby.

Now uni are encouraging us to go get covid swabbed "at least twice a week".

I am not THAT bored!

@Orangeblossom7777

Does anyone else just feel like their head is full of stuff. We have this mental load as parents and already have all the random stuff in there, and on top is this new level of stuff on top- uncertainty over exams, online parents evenings and the threat of the self isolation alerts...it all just goes on and is overwhelming.

Friend just returned one child to school after 14 days to have a call to collect the other one for another 14 days stint.

Not just you. I am now trying to navigate homeschooling for 2 DC while 1 is still going to school. So I have worries on all fronts plus the DC are pretty unhappy and I can't remove the source of unhappiness.

@Sonicthehedgehogg
"Here in Sonic's burrow we've managed to have an almighty row about what order to re-do fence/put up shed/knock down garage"
We had a row this morning about cat food. I think it's the lack of other conversational topics & the pent up stress of being forced to spend so much time together.

@Orangeblossom7777
"Does anyone else just feel like their head is full of stuff. We have this mental load as parents and already have all the random stuff in there, and on top is this new level of stuff on top- uncertainty over exams, online parents evenings and the threat of the self isolation alerts...it all just goes on and is overwhelming."
Definitely agree with this. You have described exactly how I feel. Inside my head is so noisy, with everything competing for space- parenting, school, homelife, relationships, work, being a daughter. All those things have been stressful at some point in my life but not all at once, & they are all stressful at the same time now because of the impact of the pandemic.

Online parents evening wasn't as bad as I'd feared. The setting up felt stressful, but at least we didn't have to battle for a parking space with 150 other parents.

It doesn't help when the schools change things - these online 'portals' called things like Sleuth, Insight, Eportal, on top of other things like Google classroom alerts...it is hard to keep up. Oh and also Parentpay and Parentmail- even without the email alerts and newsletters! - and this is just one school!- and breathe.

Managed a walk round the park with DH and the dogs just before it got dark, I can’t believe we have another 3 weeks of this and rumoured that we will go back into tiers after that and not necessarily the ones we were in before. I asked DH as we came in “Ready for another evening of saving lives?” ☹️

starfish88 I couldn’t agree more, but if you have a temperature, it could be covid and that is all that matters. It’s like there are no other illnesses that you could possibly have. Leg hanging off, drive yourself to hospital. But if you have temperature it could be COVID.
I’m just so depressed today.
On my local Facebook, they are furious that the university students will be allowed home for Christmas.
I was having a social distanced talk to my DDad and he won’t have COVID jab if offered. He won’t have flu either. So maybe a teacher can have his.
Getting Covid swabbed could be the new going out.

To be fair, the midwives I've been dealing with have been very clear: reduced movements (or any other worry) you come in and get checked. If you have Covid symptoms, you tell them (presumably so they can put on PPE) but you still come in.

"Does anyone else just feel like their head is full of stuff. We have this mental load as parents and already have all the random stuff in there, and on top is this new level of stuff on top- uncertainty over exams, online parents evenings and the threat of the self isolation alerts...it all just goes on and is overwhelming."

We've an on-line parent meeting come out of nowhere - but with one school only and no groups being on at the minute its fairly quiet for us but previous years I've felt overwhelmed with three kids "things".

I've stepped back recently at bit with their school work though I kept them going over summer holidays. They've got calanders and homework organisers and we're around to help if they need it. The e-mail today from the school over GCSEs was we've no idea what's happening - try and keep them working hard and we'll let you know when were told.

We had a on-line parent thing for Y7 already - it was straight forward only her form tutor which is unusal at this school - and while the teacher was going on about how she'd hope to meet us in person next time I was sat think this is so much easier for us - sat at screen instead of rushing to get to the school and not driving it can be awkward timewise and then finding right room- while it's likely at least one of us even in offices can get to a screen in the evening time frame.

@Orangeblossom7777
I know what you mean. Life has improved considerably by not logging into school portals, & doing school admin when it suits me to do it!

I hardly look at them unless really needed but then have an underlying thought I should be

Successfully got the DCs out to a park after school, but it's so dull, light was fading by 4:20. Their hi-viz vests were worth it!

BST would make a major difference at the moment!

@Evenstar
"I can’t believe we have another 3 weeks of this and rumoured that we will go back into tiers after that and not necessarily the ones we were in before"
This is what we think will happen. As we were in a tier 3, this will mean still not being allowed to see my family, & only being allowed to meet PILs one at a time in a public outside space. Christmas lunch spread across 2 park benches with PILs in the rain isn't exactly "saving Christmas". I'd rather stay at home alone.

That’s good to know re pregnancy.

@MercyBooth I saw that on our local news last night and mentioned it on the shopping thread last night. DH and I were absolutely incensed at her treatment. This situation really has brought out the inner nastiness in people.

When DH worked in a supermarket one of his favourite anecdotes was a woman ranting at him for some time about the behaviours of other customers (which obviously he had no control over....). It culminated in her gesturing at a man and saying "and what about this one?!?! He's got a dog!!".

"Yes madam... he's blind."

They existed before Covid, this just gave them something else to feel superior and indignant about.

@AcornAutumn
Sorry I meant I loved your lyrics.

@Orangeblossom7777

Does anyone else just feel like their head is full of stuff. We have this mental load as parents and already have all the random stuff in there, and on top is this new level of stuff on top- uncertainty over exams, online parents evenings and the threat of the self isolation alerts...it all just goes on and is overwhelming.

Friend just returned one child to school after 14 days to have a call to collect the other one for another 14 days stint.

@Orangeblossom7777 This is me. I feel so exhausted all the time. I think its because between the upheaval at work, the constant uncertainty and always waiting to be told I have to pick ds up from school as his bubble has burst or some such, its like I'm constantly running in crisis mode and its shattering. I've never been so exhausted in my life.

Whether ir not we are 'allowed' to see older relatives at Christmas there will still be that underlying stress many families have over the festive season such as who to visit / keeping everyone happy etc along with people's fears over the virus etc. Along with booze and general letting off steam can see it being a bit much for some.

Sounds a bit gloomy but kind of wanting to keep it simple.

Just seen the local medical director give a covid update and he has said that they are looking at rolling out vaccinations at the beginning of December. The fridge is being delivered imminently and so if you are a covid risk group, get your flu jab now so you can have your covid jab.
So to all those still banging on it will be years before we get a vaccine approved for use blah blah, I say....
Oh do fuck off you fucking doughnuts.

I agree about Christmas stresses, @Orangeblossom7777.
Even if they say we can do what we want (& pigs might fly), I'm certain I'll have DPs wanting to maintain social distancing & PILs being a bit less stringent, which I'm not entirely comfortable with either. I feel stressed by both scenarios, & can't square up having to be so careful with SD & hygiene & PPE at work with suddenly mixing with family.

I also predict that if we all agree to not see each other, come Christmas Day there will be at least one of our parents who forgets that we agreed this & who will layer on the guilt about us not seeing them.

Best not to think about it at all.

@LivinLaVidaLoki
You're right, it is the uncertainty that is exhausting. I recognise this from years of lurching from one crisis to another, & always feeling "on call" for the next one.