Half term anxiety

[mrsminiegg]

It feels like Xmas hols all over again. Will they, won't they go back? Why the hell couldn't they tell us before the break? Hard to concentrate on anything in this hell like limbo. Let alone enjoy a so called break. All comes down to the fact the people making the Comms decisions are MEN who are not the ones doing the day to day wrangling of kids and losing their minds slowly... AIBU to think they could have offered parents some more reassurance before half term? My nerves are in shreds.

Really? Most of us have fathers, brothers, sons... we don’t think they know nothing because they are men. Many (though not enough) in government or government advisors, are female.

“They” haven’t said whether we can go back after half term, because THEY DON’T KNOW.

How can the stop the limbo?

Would you prefer a date that changes, then another, then another? Would it really be easier? I don’t think so. They have given a date (for England, I’m not up on other U.K. countries) which is the earliest that it will be discussed. So we’re not in the stressful position of checking the news everyday, or having to iron school shirts on Sunday night 21st Feb just in case. They have said that school return will be at 2 week’s notice.

I’m sorry that you are anxious, but this has everything to do with it the impact of unavoidable uncertainty on you, and nothing to do with the fact the government has many “MEN” in it. If your personal experience is that you are doing the wrangling because men don’t bother, then that is your own relationship issue.

I am sorry you’re anxious, it’s really hard for everyone, and I hope you can get some support. But railing at men won’t help you. Looking closer to home for help and ways to manage your stress will. Look for the things inside your control.

I'm just assuming they won't be back until after easter, as I prefer to think negative and be pleasantly surprised. Not quite sure how I have managed to work and homeschool for so long, but I have, so will keep going I guess. I am on leave for half term. Part of me thought it better to take some leave after half term to focus on schoolwork, but I also have a disabled child who is very challenging. He has been in his special school this term and is extremely difficult to work around (again, not sure how I did it when he was off school as well as younger two). So I will take the time off and pray for the news I want to hear from Boris on 22nd.

Just to add: I do think the government are a bunch of arseholes - but not because they’re men!!

They’ve already said that schools won’t be back before 8th March and we will find out more in week of 22nd Feb. They have also committed to giving 2 weeks notice of schools returning

HTH

They’ve said all along it’ll be announced at the end of half term, I’d rather they waited until they had as much data as possible to make the right decision than give false hope and the day of return slips.

They won't go back before 8th March at the earliest. We'll know more on 22nd Feb.

I assumed they are waiting until 22nd to do an announcement to ensure families don't go berserk with meeting up etc. over half term if they know a date things will be relaxed.

Like a PP suggested (and I’ve been doing the same) assume they won’t be going back until after Easter snd that by October half term there will be rumblings about full lock down again.

The decisions are made based on data that isn't available yet. You must realise this?

Why would there be another lockdown in October? People are getting vaccinated now. Yes new strains are emerging but the vaccine does seem effective.
I'm not actually sure another lockdown will happen. I have stuck to the rules but am now thinking fuck it. Lots of people feel the same.

They have already said that they won’t be going back after half term. They’ve said 8th March at the earliest, with 2 weeks notice.

Nine days with nothing to do. Trying to keep bored teenager and stressed husband happy simultaneously. Horrible

I'm very glad we know they won't be back immediately afterwards, I didn't want another holiday with uncertainty.

I personally do not want a rushed return - Johnson tends to lock down two weeks too late and unlock two weeks too soon, so I am amazed he has held off this long!

I think we are allnow expecting some groups will be back on 8th March, although healthwise waiting until after Easter would of course be far better.

We will find out 22nd an earliest they will go back is 8th March. We have been hearing this for a few weeks now how have you missed it?

TBF, the government has said 8 March was the earliest possible return date, so no, they're not going back after half term, and I guess on 22nd we may have some indication. They have also said there will be 2-weeks' notice of when schools will be returning, so no sudden Friday night news of a Monday start.

teach the teenager to run a household?

Some of you are really fkg condescending. Of course I know what they've been saying re roadmap, but I am just beyond the pale
with everything. Depression, homeschooling children wjth SEN, isolation... Even half term feels utterly unmanageable right now. MPs have told BJ to sign the 8th in blood, R is under 1 and infections are halving each week so I can't really understand why he couldn't just throw us a bone to make the next week just a little easier. I'm telling you if it was a woman in charge we would know by now rather than this endless lack of proper planning and will they won't they communication.

Are women physic?

I’m relieved for my daughter having a week off as she’s been struggling with home schooling. It’s no break for me as I’m working and covering for everyone else who is off on leave

“I'm telling you if it was a woman in charge we would know by now rather than this endless lack of proper planning and will they won't they communication.”

I’m afraid I disagree. If we’re being stereotypical, women are generally considered to be more balanced and pragmatic, with, dare I say it, not such enormous egos or a desperate need to be liked by everyone. So, I suspect a female PM would be more inclined to follow scientific advice more closely and you’d be looking at a later return than 8th March.
Who knows, though?

I agree with you OP.
The book Invisible Women articulated the problem much more effectively than I ever could but basically men don’t prioritise or often even see women’s pov, and women are disproportionately affected by lockdown.

Hang in there for another bit. We’e getting through this even though it doesn’t feel like it. I’m so relieved to be able to step away from the horrors of homeschooling and just let them go properly feral for a week.

There’s no need for the unkind replies here.

OP i know it’s stressful, but I’m looking at half term as a chance to have a much needed break from the home schooling and a rest and trying not to tie myself up in knots over what will happen after. A bit at a time.

What will help right now? How old are your DC? Would some suggestions for low cost things to do with them help? Or just someone to listen?

It’s very tough right now. Everyone I speak to is extremely tired and stressed.

I'd love to know but would rather be in blissful ignorance if they're not going back!!

I also think it's good for the schools not to know so staff can actually have a proper break. Otherwise there would presumably be multiple planning scenarios in their heads.

It's not great but I'd rather know that there's nothing to know at the moment and nothing I can do about it - so can actually switch off.

I'll be refreshing every news update page going from 22nd, mind!!

OP, this is nothing like Xmas hols. The government refused to back down and sent kids back to school for one day, just to completely complete their work of telling every one to mix over xmas with a new super spreader variant of covid around.

So since then, with rates of infection and deaths totally eclipsing wave one, and almost a year later, Boris has changed from cavalier to non-comital.

Just follow reliable news sources who report the facts and actual science.

I know some people are really stressing and I've stopped watching the news. I figure if the schools go back or we open up someone will tell me about it. Until then I'll wander along in blissful ignorance.
I'm actually looking forward to it. I'm on annual leave too, so no alarm clock for a week, I will probably wake at 7am anyway.
We have tomorrow all planned. Just need things for another week.
I think there will be baking and eating and I have promised myself chippy tea at least once.