North East thread 4: Fingers crossed we catch the Angel bus!

[Someaddedsugar]

Just thought I'd start a new thread for the north east lot as number 3 is getting pretty full!

@PennyDreadfuI hope you're ok and hope you don't mind me picking the thread up!

@PickAChew I think you are so right, the constant leaking of plans, the changes at short notice and the uncertainty never knowing what we will be doing next week is stressful.

@myrtleWilson Unless forced, I think Boris will avoid lockdown because his judgement won’t stand up.

@myrtleWilson hope DD (and you) is ok.

@Someaddedsugar

I hope your job's ok *@Plussizejumpsuit* - that must be a worry. Is there a way you can alter the project to work around a lockdown?

Thanks. It's probably fine I just feel like how bad does school attendance have to get before the project is unviable.

Well we have already developed a digital delivery model. As we can't go into schools. But we do need for classes to be together really. Rather than something individual pupils do at home. Just from an equipment perspective really.

We could probably work something out to be done in a home learning way. But by the time we develop this schools could be back! So who knows right now....

I think he'll avoid it because Kier Starmer has asked for it. Nowt like a bit of party politicking where everyone needs to be working together.

Glad your DS gave that sneaky ice what for, @someaddedsugar!

I hope everything stays calm in your household for the forseeable, @myrtleWilson

DS1 is supposed to have a CAMHS home visit, next week - arranged for after DS2 goes back to school. That will be tricky, if it goes ahead. He stopped enaging with them long ago.

Both our schools are closed. The local one 2 of mine go to are closed ''initially for 2 weeks'' to all but critical workers and vulnerable children & remote learning for the rest tomorrow.

The special school DS1 goes to had inset day tomorrow planned. They've made tuesday another inset day with 'provision for remote learning as of Wednesday'. School is open to key worker & vulnerable children (with a social worker). They're 'hopeful it's a short term measure' whatever that means.

So. Back to home learning with 2 and apparently nursery will be setting activities for DS3. Will I survive this?

The uncertainty of all this is awful isn't it?
My sons school sent an email this afternoon basically saying they're planning to reopen tomorrow but can't guarantee it so we needed to plan for both eventualities.
Then we had another email this evening saying that DS1's class would be closed tomorrow as their teacher is off (non covid reasons) and the staff shortages mean they can't cover the class. Still not sure if DS2's class is in tomorrow or not!
I definitely feel for the head and all the school staff being put in this position. The uncertainty is awful for families though!

That's how DS2's school progressed, @shitfuckoh - text on NYE saying open as planned on the 5th, another on NYD saying, no, it's the 7th now because training and now the latest saying closed for 2 weeks. There's no wonder he's spent the day growling.

Yes we had the texts from both schools last week. Following the last press conference I think. After all the news since Friday, I had mentioned to the DC that the plan as of now is to go back but things change so quickly that it was possible schools may not reopen & if they do, they may need to close for a little while.
I didn't want to make them anxious but it helps DS1 cope better if he knows it's a possibility.
He was so excited that 2 members of teaching staff were going to be back Tuesday after they'd been off for so long with Covid

I hope DS2 has settled down a little @PickAChew so difficult for them isn't it.

He's quietened down a bit, so hopefully will drag his duvet into his room (we end up washing it most mornings, lately) and settle into bed, soon. (probably wishful thinking)

to everyone struggling.
The weather is awful, I wish it would stop hail stoning.
As we are in tier 4, if we go into lockdown, will it be the same as now, but with schools closed?
Anyone have any tips for sleeping? Because I have insomnia

Usually something medicinal for me.

Typically, the amitryptiline has kicked in and Ds2 is still dragging out his pre bedtime ritual which ends with putting his socks on. I popped my head in to chivvy him along and he said "back to school on Tuesday."

Me: no, not back to school on Tuesday.
Him: RRRRRHHUUUUAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHAAYYYYAAYYYAAAAYYYYY!!!

Hope you're all ok today, and that your DCs are ok @PickAChew and @Shitfuckoh - it must be extremely hard for you and them.

DS' nursery is open as far as I'm aware and so he's going in as planned. I just hope I'm doing the right thing. It's either that or he sits watching an iPad all day which doesn't seem right at all. Especially when he's been crying daily that he wants to see his friends.

I'm sure they'll be shut by the middle of the week so at least he'll get a day with his friends.

DP reminded me this morning that Boris has said no more lockdowns so he thinks we'll move to tier 5 which will essentially be the March lockdown by another name. Who knows anymore what's going on.

I know the first Monday back at work is always bad but this just feels horrific. I'm already looking at when I can take annual leave this month even though there's nothing to do!

DDs just gone off to her primary school but I’ll be really surprised if the school’s still open by the end of the week. Newcastle, Gateshead and Durham councils have all issued statements saying they support their headteachers making their own decisions but Sunderland council have been very quiet!

DS has an inset day today so psyching myself up to start home schooling tomorrow!

@MissEWeatherwax

To get to sleep I count backwards from 100 really spelling out the sounds in my head. I also do naming things from a to z. Like animals, films, boys/girls names etc.

It normally frees up my mind from thinking about stuff to get off to sleep.

I usually find putting on a podcast helps me get to sleep - but it does mean that I never ever complete a podcast episode. I tried listening to Dracula once and never got much further than Jonathan Harker meeting the Count for the first time

Had a brazing beach stroll this morning - I do underestimate how much I value living near the coast.

Happy New Year all. Not much happy in it this far though ey?

Sending hugs to those with school aged children who don't know what is going to happen & who will suffer without them open

My two are toddlers & I rely on Grandparents to do childcare so I'll be very stuck if the Government puts a stop to that in any new restrictions. Both me & DH can work from home but still need to go into the office sometimes & working & looking after toddlers just is not possible. I'm willing to go in weekends if need be but not sure it will be approved.

I'm scared about it all right now. Don't want to leave the house if I'm honest

Boris is doing an announcement at 8pm this eve.

I'm still waiting to hear from school as to whether they will be open tomorrow or not 🤯

You know when you send something back to the shop because it's faulty and the replacement they send out is even worse...

@MissEWeatherwax I sympathise but unfortunately have never found anything that helps. I've had insomnia on and off for 20+ years and my current bout has lasted over a year.

I'm going to be so pissed off if he announces tonight he's closing primary schools after sending DD to school today.

Thanks everyone, I have tried podcasts/ audiobooks. Will try the counting things, hopefully my brain won’t get sidetracked . I use to sleep really well until the menopause. Sorry TMI.
I’m really worried about what Boris is going to say tonight.

Hello, I'm new to the thread - North East and Angel caught my eye! May I join? I live near Stanley. No one's sure what's going to be happening about schools yet. A lot of people are feeling worried and uncertain, and not sure what to do. A clear answer would help.

Welcome @StellaAndCrow.
Yes, it’s the uncertainty that’s worrying me. Selfishly I’m glad my DD are teenagers.

Hi, @StellaAndCrow!

And, in the light of the uncertainty, dh has just bought us fish and chips from bell's.

Hello @StellaAndCrow a clear answer would definitely help!

I'm jealous of your chippy tea @PickAChew we're trying to reduce our take aways but I could use some comfort food this evening. Hoping my favourite chippy doesn't close again last in the first lockdown!

That's why we went for it, @noseringGirl - Ds2 needed cheering up and was asking for it and they're not on deliveroo or anything.

It's the only takeaway we ever have, apart from the rare Indian and was bloody delicious, as always!