Lockdown Week 6 (Mon)

MONDAY

We’re off to a flying start, with all three children dressed by 9.15am. This feels like a positive step, as the eight-year-old would spend all day wearing just his pants given half the chance. At weekends he often does.

When schools first closed in March, I devised an excellent daily Home School routine which was certain to see us through the chaotic times ahead:

9am            Seated at work station (kitchen table). 

                   Look through the day’s Home School assignments.

                   Read a couple of chapters from new and challenging book 

                   (not just Calvin and Hobbes again).

9.30am       Begin school work.

11am          Morning break – fresh air & healthy snack.

11.30am     Resume school work.

1pm            Lunch & fresh air.

2pm            Resume school work (flexible).

3.30pm       Home School day ends (flexible).

I showed it to the husband over a glass of wine on Lockdown Eve. He made encouraging noises at the time, but now admits he had doubts and didn’t want to burst my bubble of optimism.

I realised early on that following any sort of daily plan was a pipe dream. Today is no exception; it's now 10.30am, and there’s been nothing but scuffling and bickering since they started. 

At 11.30am the 12-year-old tells me she’s been watching the same two pigeons pecking at the lawn for the last hour and a half. Time well spent.