ADs and their pampered poodles

[BogRollBOGOF]

Here we are again, gaining sequels even more rapidly than the Fast and the Furious...

Thank you everyone! It's so nice of you all to be happy for me, "in these continued challenging times"

@Haleliwia big welcome!

@AcornAutumn I totally get what you mean re. living somewhere not London. When we visit my PiL in Truro, I'm like the "exotic" wife with the "exotic" children (only one of whom looks even vaguely non-white). I don't mind and no one is weird about it, but I don't know that I'd want to live there. Apparently the London population has decreased by a lot since March! The first decrease since 1988. The census could be interesting, if they actually do it this year.

DD2 ... I've got a suspicion that in her infancy I was watching Outnumbered and she's subconsciously absorbed it all and become Karen.

(She's even got identical hair...)

@Jourdain11

Thank you everyone! It's so nice of you all to be happy for me, "in these continued challenging times"

@Haleliwia big welcome!

@AcornAutumn I totally get what you mean re. living somewhere not London. When we visit my PiL in Truro, I'm like the "exotic" wife with the "exotic" children (only one of whom looks even vaguely non-white). I don't mind and no one is weird about it, but I don't know that I'd want to live there. Apparently the London population has decreased by a lot since March! The first decrease since 1988. The census could be interesting, if they actually do it this year.

DD2 ... I've got a suspicion that in her infancy I was watching Outnumbered and she's subconsciously absorbed it all and become Karen.

I was being really stupid but actually the north/south stuff had me in tears. I just cannot believe what's going on and how posters want to talk about this, even on this thread!

But the london population decreasing is a massive plus. It has been desperately overcrowded for several years. I think in reality I will end up back in Essex though. It's more of a "me" place.

I think I'll leave the thread again for at least a while.

@AcornAutumn Im in Essex.

@AcornAutumn im sorry. Ive lived in Essex all my life and my experiences have largely been good.

Please don’t leave @AcornAutumn. I’m so sorry if I caused any offence.
You talk so much sense.

I’m sorry if I brought the north/ south divide here. I’m better off leaving, as I’m in a dark place.

You talk so much sense

Seconded.

It's late, and times are tough. I hope we all get a good rest and feel a bit better for it in the morning

Im so happy for you @Jourdain11 that's wonderful news!

Wonderful news @Jourdain11! 🎉

@AcornAutumn, thirded. Your sense is needed here especially by this immigrant Londoner.

@Gratefulrunner I know the schools are under pressure from the LEA but are applying the guidance very differently. I have a couple of friends where one parent is home on furlough/mat leave and their DC (at other local schools) have been given full time key worker places. I don't blame them at all, we all believe school is the best place for the DC but it's not good that there is such inequality in being able to access education at the moment. The governors letter was something else though, I wonder if the head approved it as it's absolutely not her style.

'There is such inequality in being able to access education at the moment'

I completely agree @GarlandaChynoweth I was saying this to my friend yesterday. Online provision is not the same and I'm very aware that DS's place relies on my job. Fortunately my hours are back to what they should be and I know he's very lucky. Never did I think his entitlement to a school place would rely on my job.

I'm currently worrying about Easter (I know this sounds ridiculous) because if there's no holiday clubs I've got no childcare. I've booked half term and a week at Easter off but realistically I can't book off every school holiday. I'll run out by the first week of summer! I'm hoping I might be able to get 2 days at Easter covered by friends and possibly move the other days into term time and work them back that way. I haven't asked work yet though. The uncertainty is really stressing me out.

I took the plunge last night and booked not one, but two trips to visit family this year (2 different islands).
We never do this, but I feel like after the emotional and mental toll this last year has taken on us all, I want to see EVERYONE.
So here is to spending the next however many months with the world and his dog telling me I'm ridiculous, they'll never go ahead, foreign travel won't happen this year and I'm being a selfish dick.....

I fully accept that we are in a changing situation and things may change but I need this to look forward to. Also....we made it last year....

I feel like this is the only place I can be excited about this, where you won't judge me or call me stupid or selfish.

I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Thank you so much for the welcome!

💐 to everyone struggling. Life is so tough at the moment for so many people, and I really feel for those of you who have having to manage home schooling on top of all this. I don’t have my own kids, but I was home schooled for much of my education along with my siblings, and it was definitely a full-time job for my mum.

Hope you all manage to have a good day today. It’s supposed to snow here today, and I am desperately hoping it does!

From what I can gather, proper home education is totally different to this anyway. You don't have to worry about keeping up and slotting back in with an archaic education system that pivots around teaching tonthe test. While my DCs are not the best sit at a desk learners, they have great general knowledge because my strength is getting out of the house and doing things. When we went to play football on the scrubby rec last week, we parked by the flood defences and talked about the river, riding flood waters and how the defences work. Normally they'd do a lot with scouting and that's great for some of the things they resist with me.
This is so hard because you have all the pressure of the school system with none of the freedom and social aspects home learning.

We have snow! DCs have already been out in it in their pjs!

@BogRollBOGOF

From what I can gather, proper home education is totally different to this anyway. You don't have to worry about keeping up and slotting back in with an archaic education system that pivots around teaching tonthe test. While my DCs are not the best sit at a desk learners, they have great general knowledge because my strength is getting out of the house and doing things. When we went to play football on the scrubby rec last week, we parked by the flood defences and talked about the river, riding flood waters and how the defences work. Normally they'd do a lot with scouting and that's great for some of the things they resist with me. This is so hard because you have all the pressure of the school system with none of the freedom and social aspects home learning.

I'd totally agree with you there. Part of my work involves post-graduate education, and I think regardless of who or what is being taught, the whole point of education should be focused towards life. The point is not to pass a test! Sounds like your DC are being well-prepared for life, but trying to satisfy the school requirements through all of this must be really tough.

Morning all. Please no one leave the thread, I would miss you terribly.

@LivinLaVidaLoki I don't blame you for booking holidays to see your family, I absolutely would in your shoes! Will cross my fingers for you.

I've managed a good night's sleep and my jaw /teeth aren't as painful this morning so I've at least been a bit less tense over night. Trying to consciously relax it now that I'm awake which is actually really difficult! Seems so stupid.

Going to eat a peanut butter bagel for breakfast and a big cup of sweet tea and continue my slide into mega fatness. I only have so much energy right now and I have none spare to think / care about healthy eating!

Love to all. This little corner of sanity is really important to me and I am thinking of all of you. Never realised I could care about people this much who I only know through a screen name!

We have snow too. DD is too young to appreciate it but is looking out of the window wide-eyed.

Oh wow @Jourdain11, that’s brilliant news! Hooray Glad you like your new hair too.

DD is still distraught that DS is getting to go to school tomorrow and she’s not I was hoping that the prospect of having me to herself would make up for it, but obviously I’ve overestimated my appeal...

I hope that everyone who was struggling yesterday at least slept well and can feel a little more hopeful today. It’s probably corny as hell, but I keep thinking of that MLK quote about when you can’t fly / run / walk you must crawl to keep moving. I definitely feel like I’m crawling!

Why are they prepping us for schools not returning until after Easter and what happens when we reach Easter? We are prepped for no return until summer? September? 2022?

This can surely not continue long term, how are people supposed to work?!

I think I go between crawling and being carried to be fair! (At least on part by these threads)

I don't think anyone should leave the thread either! All chat matters!

@LivinLaVidaLoki Hooray for booking a holiday! I've booked a few days away in the UK for Easter which I think is looking doubtful. However, if that fails I'll book something else later in the year. If I had any spare cash I'd do it now!