If I were to sum up half term using just one word, it would be ‘bored’.
Before half term I was leaning towards it being extended by an extra week. After all, here in Wales we’re currently under a two week fire break lockdown so I just assumed half term would be extended a week in line with the lockdown.
Now that half term has finished, I have to admit I’m glad it wasn’t extended. The school my children attend is excellent in terms of PPE, ensuring drop offs and pick ups are easy with no crowding of parents, cleaning facilities and hand washing is also second to none etc, so I have no doubts at all that they’re doing everything they can to ensure they keep our children and staff safe during these strange, unprecedented times. For this reason I am more than comfortable with my children going to school.
The reasons I am glad half term wasn’t extended are many. For starters, the weather has been awful all week. It’s rained every single day. When there was a short, dry spell we made the most of it with a bike ride one day and a walk another day. We even managed two walks on Halloween! The highlight of my week!
Despite parks remaining open during the fire-break lockdown, the council have taken away facilities leaving the bare minimum for children to play on. This has meant that our local park, which by the way, is also limited to just 10 people (adults and children), means that when it has been dry, the park has been too busy for us to enter.
When we’ve been home, and bear in mind that I’m also trying to work from home during half term as well, the word ‘bored’ has been spoken many times. As I am sure it has in many households across Wales, and not just by the children! I often told my girls that I too am also bored! They’re not alone in how they’re feeling, but sometimes we just have to find our own entertainment. Yes, it’s boring, so go find something to entertain yourself!
If the weather had been better then I may have felt differently about half term, as we would have been able to play in our garden, which now currently resembles a pond, or gone for daily walks, bike rides etc. As it happens, it rained all week and I for one am more than ready for the girls to return to school. They’ve missed their friends, but it’ll also be a nice change of scenery for them, and some peace and quiet for mum and dad too!
It’s certainly been a difficult year for everyone. That’s why it’s more important than ever before to look for those silver linings and try to make the best of what you have.
How was your half term?
