Life

Back to school an anxious time for both pupils and parents especially in the aftermath of lock-down

Back to school is an anxious time for both pupils and parents especially in the aftermath of lock-down
Back to school is an anxious time for both pupils and parents especially in the aftermath of lock-down Back to school is an anxious time for both pupils and parents especially in the aftermath of lock-down

It just feels like it's all a big mess.

I know the start of any new school year can be a crazy time anyway, but throw Covid-19 into the mix and it all just becomes a shambles.

As a parent of two primary school children, I can tell you it is a very anxious time right now, for both them and and me.

On Monday, Abbie will return to school to begin her primary two school year.

On the same day, she will be joined by her little brother, James who will be entering primary one.

Their return to school comes after they have both spent the last 23 weeks with me.

From the middle of March, we have lived, breathed, laughed, cried, cuddled, huffed, vomited, celebrated and slept in each other's pockets.

All, while I have been working from home, at my kitchen table and I'll be honest, while there have some hard days, there have been more good because they both adapted so well to the lock-down and have continued to do so in the aftermath.

I know watching your youngest go off to school is always hard but after so much wonderful time spent together, my heart is just sinking.

Of course, I am concerned about how they will both get on but selfishly, I have found myself worrying about how I will cope.

It may come as a surprise to some but I am not at all looking forward to working in the kitchen on my own - no laughter, no smiles, no impromptu discos, no pop-up beauty salons or dinosaur battles.

Of course, beginning P1 will be a big challenge for James and moving into P2 for Abbie will be a little different but it all just feels so messy.

The school did send home a work book which highlighted some of the issues we should discuss with Abbie including trying to explain to her that she can't hug her friends and how classrooms may now look a little different.

But, at the end of the day, she's five and all she's excited about is meeting her new teacher and playing with her friends and who could blame her?

I expect my `Baby James' feels the same but I just can not fathom how he is going to cope starting `Big School' amid coronavirus - the thought just fills me with panic.

So, here I am, minus 48 hours to go and all I feel is sick.

The thought of dressing them in their school uniforms on Monday is enough to send me into spin but I must try and hold myself together.

All I can do now is put my faith and trust in the system but even thinking about that moment when those little hands will let go of mine fills me with overwhelming heartache - and I just don't know how I am going to cope.

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Baywatch star Zac Efron is set to star in a Disney+ remake of Three Men And A Baby.

According to media reports, the 32-year-old is the first actor to be attached to the new project, which will be a remake of the 1987 classic which starred Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg and Ted Danson.

The movie followed three bachelors who suddenly find themselves taking care of a baby.

The script for the Disney+ remake has been written by Will Reichel and will be produced by Gordon Gray.

I loved the original and am definitely opening to seeing the remake. Good luck to all involved.

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With the summer holidays drawing to a close, time is running out to spend some special time with the kids.

Despite Covid-19 restrictions still in place, many amenities have pulled out all the stops in a bid to keep staff and visitors safe.

If you're still hoping to fit in a family day out before autumn arrives, how about Mountpanther Farm Park in Co Down?

Established in 2017, the park, which is situated on the Dundrum Road, Clough, is the perfect place for kids and families with a large variety of animals on site for visitors to come and meet, cuddle and feed including rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, pigs, lambs, goats, a donkey, chicks, snakes and lizards.

Kids can also enjoy a climbing frame, go-karts, and quad barrel rides.

For an extra charge, visitors can also take in a deer safari which offers them the opportunity to explore the deer field and get up close and personal with the animals, and even feed them.

The visitor attraction has recently introduced some new procedures due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

These include a pre-booking ticket system, the use of face masks and the cafe being limited to teas, coffees, traybakes and confectionery though visitors are permitted to bring picnics.

Go on, check it out.