Surviving or Thriving This Lockdown?

How are you doing? I'm not asking to receive the smile that does not reach the eyes and the answer

"I'm good!"

Really, how are you doing?

I ask this, because there are times when I don't know how to answer this for myself, and I’m hoping I am not alone.

Some days I fancy myself a Pinterest Mom who's got it altogether home schooling my 7-year-old like yeah, I was born for this.  Juggling being a full-time teacher and running exercise classes out of my dining room like a boss...

Truth be told when we were first told the kids would be off school, I felt an immense amount of responsibility.  I was overwhelmed.  Instantly transported back to when he was 4 1/2 (he's the eldest in his year) when I was so grateful he was going off to school as  I honestly couldn't entertain him enough. He needed that stimulation of friendships and a learning environment that was not just seeing my face for hours on end! We do not have family nearby, so I threw myself into baby groups for my own sanity!

Back to reality....Is this reality or an alternate universe we seem to have been transported to?

I am feeling so many things!

I am horribly scared I'm not going to be the teacher my son needs me to be and he'll end up behind trying to catch up on Maths lessons for the next 18 years of life.

I am deeply saddened that our trip to America is postponed.  Who knows when we will next be able to see my parents, when it’s already been over a year and bordering on two since our last visit?

I am anxious for vulnerable family members and friends, whom it would be unbelievably bad if they got this virus.  Not only are we now alienated from our American family but our UK family as well! 

I am disappointed that the World Championship Masters tournament I was selected for the GB squad is cancelled.

Then I remember my New Year's Resolution....

To make the most of the opportunities given to me.

I think to myself I need to start looking at this as an opportunity and see what I can give and take away from this experience.

My other half is working from home and the fact that we see each other throughout the day is amazing.  The amount of family time we've had is irreplaceable.

I've tried not to be too strict with school.  Sometimes we try stuff and it goes great and other times we have days that are completely unfocused, and he can't be asked. As long as we are giving it our best shot.  Hopefully, he's taking away more life lessons...

It's made me think outside the box when it comes to birthday celebrations, and ways of keeping in contact with family members.  I think our UK family might have a new appreciation for how we keep in touch and spend time with our American family.

We have taken the time to get to know each other better though family interviews, playing games in the garden, learning new skills, challenging our friends, and passing down skills that have been neglected in the passing of everyday life.  

The greatest lesson I hope my 7-year-old takes away from this is adversity may come our way but that doesn't mean it stops us in our tracks.  We are allowed days to come to grips with what needs to be done, but then we can get on with it making the most out of any situation. 

So, surviving or thriving? I guess I'm somewhere in the middle. I have days when it gets to me and all I want to do is have a nice cup of tea and a cuddle. There are other days where the 7-year-old responds well to a challenge and I think yeah we've got this!

One thing remains in the background.  A little voice telling me “make the most of the opportunities given,” this is an opportunity.  We are living in a moment that will be written in history books. I want the stories told of this time to be one of hard but fond memories.

What about you? Are you surviving or thriving this lockdown?