28th March 2020
On Tuesday we pulled our two eldest out of school. The bible college which my husband is studying at put a pause on lectures and classes while they scramble to organise online lectures for next week, and we commenced our social isolation along with most of the country, trying to stay at home as much as possible – the five of us – in our two bedroom home.
So, how has it been?
The first three days were tense. Feelings of confusion, uncertainty, shock and worry initially dominated the landscape of our home. All of us, even the littlest, were out of sorts; we were not quite ourselves. We were cranky, and there were many, many little fights and arguments, usually over nothing. We found we were so much more tired than normal.
Then, on Thursday the climate on our home changed. Things calmed. We began to establish our new routine, our new normal:
Music practice; a morning walk with one parent; an hour of “compulsory school” which mainly consisted of maths; recess/fitness/outdoor play break; hour or so of “free choice school” which is a hands on activity around the kids personal interests e.g. art, history, STEM activity; lunch; read out loud to Mum or Dad time; silent reading time or movie; then arvo tea and outdoor play with “free-choice iPAD” time up our sleeve to get us through to dinner!
And by last night, some smiles and some laughter had returned.
This is not going to be easy, by any stretch of the imagination, but we will try to take things easy. We will try to give each other more grace and kindness than perhaps we have ever had to before. We will take one day at a time, remembering what Jesus says:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body or what you will wear? Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?….
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” Matthew 7:25-27, 33-34
Take care everyone! Comment below with reflections on your week and please share what’s working for you at the moment!
My isle of serenity 
Well done! Isolating with young children is among the more difficult things at this time, so you have got on top of it well. Having a program seems very sensible (says he who hasn’t any young children any more!). I think the other challenges are (1) getting out safely in busy shopping centres to buy necessary food (we have started wearing masks and gloves) and (2) finding other ways to keep contact with friends and relatives (the internet and video conferencing software are our friends). All the very best for the next few weeks/months.
Thanks! I think we’ll manage ok! Heck, we might even end up enjoying some extra time together!