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This time last year we were starting to hear on the news about possible school closures.  There were rumours circulating at every school gate, on social media and in what’s app groups.  Rumours of schools closing for an extra two weeks over Easter. Rumours that someone had passed away from this unknown disease in our local hospital. 

Humours. Whispers. Gossip.

Everyone I spoke to knew an expert with inside information about what was happening - none of which turned out to be true! 

Could we ever have foreseen what lay ahead?

We were going about our lives as normal. Travelling to work, swimming lessons, after school activities, trips to the cinema or the trampoline park, meeting friends for dinner, going to the theatre, drinks in the pub, going to events with potentially hundreds of other people! 

As a family, we had plans. Plans for the Easter holiday. Flights booked to visit family, tickets for events paid for. My diary was full! 

And then it all changed. 

We heard new words and terms that seemed alien to us. Most of us had never heard of ‘zoom’. Most of us had no idea what ‘furlough’ was all about. We had heard terms like ‘key worker’ and ‘global pandemic’ but I don’t think we ever thought our children would be using these phrases in their daily conversations. 

I think it’s fair to say that none of us could have foreseen the future and how the next 12 months would play out. 

The world came to a standstill - for most us at least. Obviously there were many people who had to keep working, keep the world turning. We owe them all a great debt. 

As a parent I was terrified wondering how I could keep my family safe from this ‘thing’. I couldn't see my mum or my parent's in law as they were too far away. I feared for their health. I didn't anticipate the helplessness I would feel. The worries and fears were tenfold.

And here we are 12 months down the line, sending our children back to school for what we hope will be the start of normal service being resumed permanently. 

I’ve learned in this past year who I can lean on, who will be there for me and my family and who is really just all talk!  I've realised how much I need my friends - but also that I enjoy my own company! I’ve learned a lot about myself as a person, and my husband. Let’s face it, there’s nothing in the rule book that says you might just have to spend every hour of every day with the same person for the best part of a year!  I’ve learned that we don’t need big ticket days out to have quality family time. I’ve learned that I can teach a class of 30 children with confidence, calmness and patience - but teaching my own child is a different ball game! I know now that while I’ve spent years trying to reduce screen time, that technology has given us a lifeline to family and friends, both near and far that we wouldn’t have coped without. 

I could go on. 

It’s been a massive learning curve for us all. 

Some families have faced terrible hardships, loss and trauma which will take time to recover from and heal from.  We’ve all lost a lot in one way or another in the last year - but we have gained too. 

What have you learnt in the last 12 months? 

You can share with us here.

Jane x