Back to school - again!

As part of the relaxation of lockdown in Cyprus primary age children (and those in their last year of high school) return to school today after the latest covid measures shut them all down again.   We saw it coming in December as our cases were rising so it was no surprise to anyone that they did not open as planned after Christmas. 

Home schooling was a 100% better for us this time round, although we are so glad to see them back in today.  Last year home school was a nightmare with tears and tantrums, and the kids weren't much better, but for a host of reasons this time was so much easier. 

I think main reason was that it was less of a shock for everyone, I wrote about getting up for school when I didn't have to and reading it again reminds me how strange everything felt back in March last year.   Of course schools were not prepared and there was so much uncertainty everywhere. 

This time round Leo had online lessons from 8 am till 10:30 am every day,  he didn't really like them but got on with it with few complaints and we didn't really have to get involved at all other than photographing his homework to send to the teachers, which to be honest he could have also done himself!

Louka, first time round was a different story but I discovered this time that if I totally dedicated my time to him while he worked, either talking him through it, or even just sitting right next to him, then there was hardly a moan from him.     It made no sense to me, and I felt he should be able to get on with it pretty much by himself - his teacher told me he was more
than capable,  but for whatever reason he wouldn't or couldn't   and once I accepted that our world was a much better place. 

The first week of back in January was hard going,  but once we got past that we found a new routine and it passed relatively painlessly.   Leo was over the moon to hear the news they were to go back,  Louka not so much but then again he hadn't had to put up with Teams lessons. 

Yesterday we repacked bags,  checked pencil cases an sanitizer and searched for uniform - we are still searching for Leo's long sleeve tops of which we could only find one for some reason. (my job for this morning is trying to locate the rest..... where the hell could they have gone since December?) 

They got a lift to school this morning due to the ridiculous weight of their bags as they had to return all their books that they had at home.  Both were a little tired at the early morning - who knows why as Louka was maybe up 10 minutes earlier than usual,  but they were ready without a fuss and excited to see their friends.  

Unlike last 'back to school' they were not nervous,  the teachers wearing masks and brandishing thermometers was not an alien sight to them.  They know what to expect with spaced out desks and no running about at break time.   They hated all that last year but are less bothered as they know it's better to have to put up with these restrictions than to not be able to go at all. 

We are hoping that they get to finish the school year this time with no more home school!

Normality is very slowly returning as shops can reopen today, along with the hairdressers and beauticians that opened last week.  We still have to text for permission to leave our homes  but hopefully that will also change too soon.    

Better days are coming..... eventually !