SAFER INDOORS...
Week three
It's been another week indoors, enjoying life full of ups and downs. Although we have a reasonable big house, we are all, from time to time still treading on each others toes, particularly our youngest who is just so full of beans.
He is definitely a Tiger and a Roo.
How to keep Tim who has ASD occupied and calm? Truthfully it's challenging, however I'm glad I'm able to be at home and be part of his own journey and work together through it. World-autism- awareness-week, DAY THREE, Covid-19, stay-safe-indoors has opened new personal experiences with Tim. I get to be a complete stay-at-home-mum with all my kids. A few weeks back Tim was in a complete different space. He was visibly unsettled because of a few sudden changes occurring during this difficult time, however as of today, he is slowly finding his own two feet at home. It's obvious having me around at home, has made a positive difference in many ways, however Tim still misses having his Dad visibly around.
Yesterday, Tuesday the 31st of March we finally conquered school work, well at least an hour in between short breaks. I kind of found myself juggling in-between sitting room and kitchen and helping my teenage daughter with school work. Being in the evenings at home I enjoyed, putting Tim to bed on a regular routine and praying with him before putting the lights off. Tim's excitement seeing Mum around, was clearly visible to see, as he continuously rocked himself backwards and forwards as we slowly repeated together the Our Father's prayer... and then the last bit of the prayer he ended it on his own in his own way.
"Tim. Good night. Tim. Tim. Mummy loves you."
"For thy is the kingdom the power and the glory. Amen... "
My thoughts about putting Tim to bed and spending time with all my kids was something I missed while I was at work, particularly evenings. Being at home was an opportunity to create an ongoing routine, quality time with my kids particularly with Tim getting to understand him because of his SEN needs.
Something that came into my mind...
Hibernating indoors through those uncertain days, can bring a fair share of disagreements and complaints of this and that, in the midst of joyful moments happening at home. It is also an opportunity to examine our own personalities. Getting to know ourselves in a much deeper way in order to amend our flaws. It gives us time to question our own selfish attitudes. Stop and listen to each other and communicate in a more understanding way, even when you are tempted to disappear to your own hidden caves when you're angry. This off course gives us time to discover ways in order to process our own faulty attitudes with the ultimate goal of amending them.
The kids still haven't fully grasped this new routine yet. Very unsettling, particularly my teenage daughter who misses her new friends and school, from time to time. It's hard particularly for her because she's a teenager who just wants to go out.
"Mummy, why does it have to happen? I've been stuck indoors since last October and now I'm back indoors. Why?"
"Darn. It is hard."
"Mummy, it feels like I'll never be at school."
"You will. Once the pandemic is over. We're all in the same boat."
"I prefer being at school. It's fun."
"It can be fun at home also."
"Bored."
"What about your art? You love sketching."
"Don't feel like it."
"What about your timetable?"
"Not now."
"We could go to the park with Luna."
"Too cold. Can we go to the shops?"
"Not now. How about tomorrow. We'll need bread and milk then."
This week we made a couple of quick trips to Sainsbury's and Morrisons. My nerves were on edge because of the fear of catching Covid. For me particularly food shopping was not relaxed anymore. Covering our mouths, wearing gloves and queuing to do a bit of shopping felt very strange and not to forget no more than two people allowed in the shop.
It's been another week indoors, enjoying life full of ups and downs. Although we have a reasonable big house, we are all, from time to time still treading on each others toes, particularly our youngest who is just so full of beans.
He is definitely a Tiger and a Roo.
How to keep Tim who has ASD occupied and calm? Truthfully it's challenging, however I'm glad I'm able to be at home and be part of his own journey and work together through it. World-autism- awareness-week, DAY THREE, Covid-19, stay-safe-indoors has opened new personal experiences with Tim. I get to be a complete stay-at-home-mum with all my kids. A few weeks back Tim was in a complete different space. He was visibly unsettled because of a few sudden changes occurring during this difficult time, however as of today, he is slowly finding his own two feet at home. It's obvious having me around at home, has made a positive difference in many ways, however Tim still misses having his Dad visibly around.
Yesterday, Tuesday the 31st of March we finally conquered school work, well at least an hour in between short breaks. I kind of found myself juggling in-between sitting room and kitchen and helping my teenage daughter with school work. Being in the evenings at home I enjoyed, putting Tim to bed on a regular routine and praying with him before putting the lights off. Tim's excitement seeing Mum around, was clearly visible to see, as he continuously rocked himself backwards and forwards as we slowly repeated together the Our Father's prayer... and then the last bit of the prayer he ended it on his own in his own way.
"Tim. Good night. Tim. Tim. Mummy loves you."
"For thy is the kingdom the power and the glory. Amen... "
My thoughts about putting Tim to bed and spending time with all my kids was something I missed while I was at work, particularly evenings. Being at home was an opportunity to create an ongoing routine, quality time with my kids particularly with Tim getting to understand him because of his SEN needs.
Something that came into my mind...
Hibernating indoors through those uncertain days, can bring a fair share of disagreements and complaints of this and that, in the midst of joyful moments happening at home. It is also an opportunity to examine our own personalities. Getting to know ourselves in a much deeper way in order to amend our flaws. It gives us time to question our own selfish attitudes. Stop and listen to each other and communicate in a more understanding way, even when you are tempted to disappear to your own hidden caves when you're angry. This off course gives us time to discover ways in order to process our own faulty attitudes with the ultimate goal of amending them.
The kids still haven't fully grasped this new routine yet. Very unsettling, particularly my teenage daughter who misses her new friends and school, from time to time. It's hard particularly for her because she's a teenager who just wants to go out.
"Mummy, why does it have to happen? I've been stuck indoors since last October and now I'm back indoors. Why?"
"Darn. It is hard."
"Mummy, it feels like I'll never be at school."
"You will. Once the pandemic is over. We're all in the same boat."
"I prefer being at school. It's fun."
"It can be fun at home also."
"Bored."
"What about your art? You love sketching."
"Don't feel like it."
"What about your timetable?"
"Not now."
"We could go to the park with Luna."
"Too cold. Can we go to the shops?"
"Not now. How about tomorrow. We'll need bread and milk then."
This week we made a couple of quick trips to Sainsbury's and Morrisons. My nerves were on edge because of the fear of catching Covid. For me particularly food shopping was not relaxed anymore. Covering our mouths, wearing gloves and queuing to do a bit of shopping felt very strange and not to forget no more than two people allowed in the shop.
There were times I just used my scarf to cover my mouth and nose and used small picnic bags to protect my hands. Disposable masks and gloves were expensive and hard to get. My imaginative ruler, was always handy as I constantly reminded myself, the word social distancing, keeping the two meter rule from people around us was all you heard. I still can't believe how controlled it had become, queuing minimum 10 minutes to go into the shops and then you are only allowed to take home two small bags of food. We were definitely on rations. My shopping list was always handy.
Useful tips...
WRITTEN BY IRENE KATHERINE/KATHERINE'S LASTING MEMORIES 2020
Useful tips...
- Create a shopping list beginning with the most basic things you need.
- My motto, don't waste time wondering along isles looking for stuff.
- Plan and read the signs where exactly your goods are and head straight to them.
- Touch only what you need. Talk only if you have to.
- Keep always a safe distance from people. Two meters.
- Use picnic plastic bags to cover your hands if you don't have disposable gloves, when touching goods and holding shopping baskets.
 |
Since Mothering Sunday I've been happily spending my own time
doing a bit of gardening.
|
 |
| Looking so pretty. The small pebbles seen here are mementos of our trip to Scotland 2019. My kids picked them up from #Loch Ness |
WRITTEN BY IRENE KATHERINE/KATHERINE'S LASTING MEMORIES 2020
Comments