Life

Marie Louise McConville: The kids are back to school and I miss them already

Quiet house while kids at school - not all it's cracked up to be
Quiet house while kids at school - not all it's cracked up to be Quiet house while kids at school - not all it's cracked up to be

It's surprising how we still learn new things about ourselves - even at the ripe old age of 42.

You would think that after four decades walking this earth, I would know everything about who I am, inside and out, but I've found that's not always the case.

It's been a big week in the McConville household because James started P1 and Abbie went into P2.

Like many other families, new routines have come into play.

It's also been an anxious time amid the Covid-19 pandemic however, when the time came, off they skipped with big smiles on their faces, excited to begin the new chapters in their lives.

In the lead up, on social media, many parents had been posting details of the plans they had for themselves when the kids went back to school - lunch dates with friends, child-free shopping, and long, hot, uninterrupted baths.

I had my own treats planned too - curling up with a good book.

But when I returned home alone on Monday morning, I suddenly felt lost.

I had stupidly taken a few days off work and I soon realised I shouldn't have.

With Darren at work and the kids at school, I sat down in the kitchen and was immediately deafened by the silence in the house - no laughter, no shouting, no cartoons on telly.

I didn't know what to do with myself.

Turns out, I don't know who I am if I am not a mummy.

For the last almost six years, every second of every day has been devoted to Abbie and then James and suddenly, I found myself on temporary leave from the post.

So, I tried to busy myself with household chores but it did no good, I just wanted to hold my babies close.

Then I got comfy on the sofa and had a cup of tea - turns out I don't like it hot - and don't get me started about awful daytime television.

I didn't want to go out for coffee, see friends, get my hair done or go shopping.

Instead, I watched the clock.

I then got thinking about all the advice I had been given when I became a mother.

Over the years, I'd been told that with each stage, it gets easier.

Turns out, I was never warned that the hardest part is letting them go.

I can't honestly remember who I was before I became `mummy'.

Aside from work, what did I do with my time, where did I go, who did I see?

Was I always this needy?

Home on my own during the day is hard - even with my Place In The Sun family on hand to help.

I feel like I don't know myself at all and now I have to get to know `me' all over again.

But where to start?

Maybe wine?

Yes, let's start there and see where we go.

What's the worst that can happen?

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Publicity shots have been released this week for the the upcoming film adaptation of Agatha Christie's Death On The Nile and they look fabulous.

The movie, which stars and is directed by Kenneth Branagh, sees the Northern Ireland actor return as the legendary detective Hercule Poirot to suss out an all-new killer from a crop of famous faces travelling down the Nile.

The all star cast includes Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders.

Jennifer plays wealthy American socialite and kleptomaniac Marie van Schuyler while Dawn takes on the role of her nurse Mrs Bowers.

The film is set for release in October.

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Dear oh dear, what is with the weather?

The sun was splitting the trees earlier this week when the kids started school and within 24 hours, Storm Francis was causing mayhem with lashing rain.

It's hard to make any plans when the weather is so changeable especially when typically, it will rain when we book an outdoor activity.

So how about entertaining the kids indoors this week with a trip to the cinema to see new computer-animated film, 100% Wolf?

Directed by Alexs Stadermann and produced by Alexia Gates-Foale and Barbara Stephen, the film tells the story of a young boy called Freddy Lupin, who possesses a magical Moonstone, and is heir to the leadership of a family line of werewolves.

However, his first transformation on his 13th birthday doesn't go so well when he turns into a poodle instead and because dogs are looked down on by werewolves, Freddy has to prove he has the heart of a wolf or risk being banished.

And, just when he thinks life can't get any worse, he's groomed against his will, chased into the streets and thrown into dog prison.

Can Freddy and his new streetwise friend, Batty, escape? Who is the sinister man following his every move? Despite his pink and fluffy exterior, can Freddy prove he's still 100% Wolf?

100% Wolf is showing at cinemas now.