Finding our way

It is 7.18am.  Sunday 29th March.  I am perched at the breakfast bar (we hadn’t yet ordered a dining table pre this).  A normal Sunday morning for me would be a few of hours of focused school work whilst the kids watched cartoons/What Now – for me it means Saturday and the rest of Sunday are back to whanau.  Now I’m at a slight odd. 

New Zealand went into lockdown pretty much Monday afternoon it felt.  We had spent the Friday prior as a TOD where we had time to sort out packs/learning/computers for our learners ‘just in case’ this happened.  I had thought we’d limp along till Easter and then maybe be told after the holidays they were extended.  How wrong I was!

Monday rolled around, my juniors (y9) and I had a couple of goes on Google Meet – just in case.  We had Social Studies after lunch, and a few asked if they could listen to the PMs speech.   Ok – but headphones and no blurting out stuff – call me over!  The others wanted to keep working on their projects (and a few with anxiety I didn’t want to elevate!).  Within about twenty mins I knew something as up.

The DP came around and we were briefed on next steps.  I was thankful I had made the paper packs with journals (for them to record this experience in) and novels and write on pages.  They all were able to take their issued school devices home as well. 

Over Tuesday/Wednesday we were able to be in school without them as we needed – so odd – finalising the last things we needed to teach from home.  Thursday and Friday have been Google Meet classes, touching base, ensuring they have the links (literally) they need to keep on learning. 

And now it’s holidays.

And somewhere between this has been my other life as a Mum … with five kids at home.  My big ones have a device from school – and have loved the classroom Meets and projects.  Their teachers have been stunning! The three younger (y6/5/3) have wanted more device time but been given heaps of awesome home activities that we can do.  So far the favorite has been Go Noodle, Mathletics/Maths Buddy and coloring.  PE is our walk around the block after lunch.  They are going to miss that interaction with their friends/teachers over the next couple of weeks.

However, I’m thankful.  I’m thankful that our family moved into our new whare literally two weeks ago.  It would have been harder at the old place.  I’m thankful work has been supportive as DH and I split Tuesday/Wednesday while he sorted clients as well.  I’m super thankful for internet friends and colleagues– where now that support and contact is even more important.  I’m thankful for crazy little things like a dishwasher. 

I’m not the best at sitting still and being – even at the best of times.  I will learn.  We will find a new normal.  We will be.