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Hey guys. Feel free to get started. How has your week been? Good, bad or completely horrific?

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I've had the most intense few weeks. My son's childminder got Covid, then my husband, now me. Fortunately we've all been well but I've been in isolation for getting on for 2 weeks - with a toddler in a small apartment and a full workload. For the first week, we were trying to avoid my husband so I did all childcare and nights. It's been a huge challenge, my son has seen a lot of Peter Rabbit, but honestly it was about getting through it and I *think* we managed it. I'm really reluctant to share personal stuff with clients, even though I know I probably should, I'm sure they'd understand. Well done to everyone, this is tough!

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The struggle to balance my daughter's homeschooling/general parenting and my work is immense right now. Either my daughter is engaged and her work is getting done, but then my work is piling up. Or I'm working and she's just playing the Nintendo Switch. I get that I can't do EVERYTHING but having to pick between child's education/future/parent guilt and being able to keep an even keel with work is HARD.

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God that sounds really tough Danielle and so many conflicting emotions. First of all, you shouldn't feel guilty. What's being asked of parents right now is ridiculous so if you're all fed, watered and work is still getting done, you're nailing it imho. Brilliant to hear that your clients are being supportive though. That's half the battle when they get how hard it is.

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Thanks Cat. <3 How are you doing this week?

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I feel a lot better than last week thank you. The sunshine has helped a lot today too! Made sure I got out in it first thing this morning for a walk which made so much difference. The endless rainy days have been horrible.

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It's still raining down in Hampshire sadly. This week has definitely felt better though. I've got both kids at home tomorrow so it'll be wellies and puddles for us I think.

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I think when you prepare for it and make the rain into an event, it helps. I've bought Leo a tea set in preparation for some indoor picnics.

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Haha! Love this. <3

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You've just described my current life as well! It is so hard to pick but I'm just recovering from COVID and that's given me a much better perspective on it all. My son is 10 and his education will recover so I'm concentrating on work and then just trying to weave educational aspects into home life - baking, talking to my dad about the war, using Minecraft to build something relevant to what they're studying. It's about all I can give at the moment. Kids are super resilient though and as my son says, 'Why do we have to study history when we're living through history right now?' I mean he also refuses to do RE as 'Jesus was just a dude with a beard' but I'm picking my battles...

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wow your son's point about history is so dead on. He sounds really smart! Sorry to hear that you've had Covid but good that you're recovering well. I think that's a good way to look at things too - your son's education will recover. You just have to get through this time as best we can while maintaining some level of happiness and normality.

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Haha! Love it. Hope you're doing ok and on the mend. Animal Crossing is awesome for reading practice and budgeting (though the 5-year-old is spending all her bells on nonsense. She's definitely mine, haha!) We made some ice-cream today and watched YouTube videos about the 1980s during my lunch break. I think so many people are trying to teach in the traditional sense when actually we really should just be doing what you suggest. :)

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OMG, love that idea about 1980s videos! Adding to my list of things to 'teach' the child about.

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Though credit where credit is due to my clients. They've been brilliant. I just hate not being in control. Eeek

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