Hands up who fancies being on lockdown in a two bedroom flat with three kids and no garden?
Me neither – but that’s the situation we’ve found ourselves in at Crummy Mummy HQ. And funnily enough it’s taught me a thing or two about my family.
I’ll be honest: for the first time ever I’ve found myself questioning whether we’ve had too many kids. I’ve also eaten far too much chocolate, and am grateful for the fact I’m almost 40 weeks pregnant and can’t take the edge off with vats of wine, because if I could I would.
Of course, lockdown is tough for everyone and I don’t pretend we’re any different to anyone else (although I could cheerfully throttle the people with huge gardens still moaning about it on social media!)
So, in a bid to lighten the mood I thought I’d share a tongue-in-cheek post on things lockdown has taught me about my family – some good, some bad and some ugly!
10 things lockdown has taught me about my family
1. We’re not morning people
Not having to wake up with an alarm and get three kids out of the door by 8.15am is definitely a silver lining in all this. It’s been at least 10.30am before we’re up, fed, washed and dressed each day – and sometimes not even the last two.
2. Kids thrive on routine
And all hell breaks loose through lack of it. At first I balked at the daily schedules being shared on my school class WhatsApp groups, but three weeks in I’m starting to get it.
3. My kids couldn’t be more different
I cannot fathom how three children brought up in the same way under the same roof can be so different.
4. My eight-year-old knows more about grammar than me
And I’m a journalist, so really ought to know better.
5. Clarinets should be left at school
They shouldn’t be practised in two bedroom flats. Unless the player has already achieved some sort of grading. Trust me on this one.
6. Three kids are hard work
People often say ‘I don’t know how you do it’ when referencing the kids, but you just do, because that’s the way it is and always has been. The thing is it turns out having three kids at home 24 hours a day, seven days a week is actually bloody hard work. And we’re about to welcome a fourth – yikes!
7. I couldn’t be a teacher
Not in a million years. I simply don’t have the patience.
8. My five-year-old has a worrying fascination with bums
Anything bottom related is a constant source of amusement and fun. And if he can fit something in it, even better (I’ll spare you the gory details).
9. Dens have saved my sanity
They might result in an all almighty clear-up job at the end of the day and require the use of every soft furnishing in the house, but den-building is the only thing that entertains all three at the same time for any significant amount of time. And you can’t put a price on that.
10. We’re doing ok
We might not be up and about until 10.30am, we might not have super duper home schooling schedules and there might be far too much talk of bums, but we’re doing ok. We haven’t killed each other (yet) and as well as wondering if we’ve had too many kids, I’ve also found myself questioning what in our ‘old life’ I actually want to introduce back. But that’s a whole new blog post!
What has lockdown taught you about your family? Can you relate to any of the above? I’d love to know which ones!
My daughter in law told me that she was close to expelling her 3 children from the home school! #thatfridaylinky@_karendennis
We are definitely enjoying the more laid back mornings! Hope you are all safe and well. x
I too couldn’t be a teacher. In fact, i couldn’t think of anything worse. And we are also Den lovers – well, my 2-year-old is anyway. We have to do the best with what we have, don’t we? It sounds like your doing a great job. I wish you lots of luck for the birth of baby no.4 #KCACOLS
It takes me a whole day to clean (and disinfect all the touch points) the house and I walk into a bathroom I’ve just done and there’s dirt and towels on the floor. I have no idea how this happens! It drives me mad. We had our daughters partner for the first three weeks, making us a family of 6, and I do think in this case, more is better. He’s gone back to his family for a week and it’s a huge hole in the fun. However, we have a backyard and we’ve been making the most of it. Remember, it’s important for you to get through this too! Aim to live on a 6 not a 10. Everyone gets a 6 in the happiness dept.Hang in there!!! #KCACOLS
I feel for all of you having to do home schooling. Suddenly having my youngest, not quite take their GCSE’s this year feels a bonus. We are also learning a lot about each other in lockdown. #KCACOLS
Love your list! With just one (moody) teenager at home and one in the army, I am very grateful not to be entertaining or educating young kids! Sounds like you are doing great though! #MMBC
hahaha! We’re not morning people either. I am amazed that my two can make it out the door on time considering now we’re not getting up until about 9am. lol
I soon realised I couldn’t be a teacher either. After all of this they all deserve a pay rise! x
I’m glad you have a good sense of humor. Hang on! #MMBC
Firstly all the best with your imminent new adventure. Thinking of you. Much of your post made me smile and home education is tough – I have done it for 5 years and am still finding my way and wobbling an awful lot. I find myself separated from two of my children at this time and with no reunion date in site. I am learning that they can manage without me which is a bit scary but also shows how amazing they are too. I am also learning that we are not sure how to communicate with each other in this new reality so we are experimenting and finding out way. I am living with my brother and we are bonding again which is great. I am also learning that I have a valuable friendship with my oldest son who I now live with. We all wonder which aspects of our old life we wish to return to when all this passes. #MMBC
Ha ha. Good job you have a sense of humour about it all. Yes, we are all doing fine! Happy Mat Leave! #KCACOLS
I’m lucky to be at home with plenty of outdoor space in the countryside and two teens who don’t need home schooling (it’s already confirmed I’d be lucky to pass a SATS maths test let alone GCSE!) so I really feel for you. Best wishes for the very for the very imminent new arrival (just seen 41 weeks!!) #KCACOLS