LETTER TO MY DAUGHTER – FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AFTER QUARANTINE

 

Zoe’ Outfit : Pippa and Julie Alice in Wonderland dress, Pediped mary-janes

Last week Zoe resumed her school, four months after the lockdown started. Getting to the decision of having her go back to school was a tough one. I’ve had many sleepless nights going over so many questions, reading numerous articles, talking to a lot of parents, even our doctor. Never in our wildest ideas had we thought that we would be in such a situation, where the entire world would be riddled with such a situation. Lockdown, quarantine, social distancing – these were words we had never encountered. And here we are, as parents taking decisions about whether your child should go to school or remain for another session at home. What about meeting so many people. Will kids wear masks? And how would office and house work be managed. Do online session even work for kids at this age ( less than 3 year olds ). And how do you keep a toddler away from their friends. How do you meet friends but ask kids to keep distance. SO many questions. Should we keep the children home one more session and see what happens. All valid and all tough ones.

After I shared last on social media that we were resuming school, there were numerous messages I received regarding the how, why, when, whats behind that decision. I completely get it – I spent four weeks, every minute of the the four weeks to get to that point. Knowing the state required measures and the school’s detailed plan was very helpful and that got us thinking about that we could explore going back to school.  We had numerous questions and went over every detail, every measure in depth with the school administration. The other factor that we considered was that we have started  meeting a few friends. Its a limited group – but that opens up the circle from what we were in the first  three months – i.e. completely quarantined / socially isolated. I also spoke to our doctor and took his advice. Although this is not a medical decision – I wanted to get the thoughts of someone  who I trust completely. His thoughts resonated with our thinking. Some families have resumed, it’s at half capacity than previously and it makes us so happy to see the kids having so much fun and being excited to be back.

This decision is different for each family. So many factors to consider. Every person has a different threshold for meeting people and everyone has a different situation. So it is a truly personal decision. Whatever decision you make – know that there are people doing this way or another way or a hybrid way. None of them are right or wrong. Just what works for each family.

The night before Zoe was going back to school, I was very emotional. And sat down to pour my heart from that moment.

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THE NIGHTS AND DAYS MIGHT SEEM LONG, BUT THE YEARS ARE SHORT

 

The drives are long, when you cry in the car seat
But the years are short, soon you’ll be at the wheel not needing to hold my hand in the car,

The days are long, when work is piling and you are being clingy
But the years are short, and you’ll soon be typing away your own,

The kitchen is messy and cooking is hard when you want to be held
But the years are short and you’ll be rushing away from the dinner table to be with your friends,

The nights are long when you refuse to sleep and want to be rocked
But the years are short and you won’t need my lullabies anymore,

The times are tough when you are sick and it hurts so much to see you in pain
But the years are short, so let me not complain
For you’ll grow up soon and will fly away.

Let me hold on these hugs
Let me take away your pain
Cook and work with you on my lap
Rock you all night, Till you feel like yourself again

 

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