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There is lots of talk about what children have missed and what they need to catch up with. Of course they have missed a lot of formal school time, and for those children in exam years who were planning to do their GCSEs or A-Levels, the time away from traditionally schooling will most certainly have had a huge impact. 

For me, there are so many more things to catch up on which carry just as much importance. Things that are important to emotional wellbeing and good mental health. 

• Our children need to catch up with their grandparents, many of whom they haven’t had any real contact with for almost a year

• Our children need to catch up with their aunts and uncles

• Our children need to catch up with with their cousins

• Our children need to catch up with their friends

• Our children need to catch up with their drama group, dance lessons, cricket matches, football, rugby, tennis, swimming and every other sporting activity.

• Our children need to catch up with face to face music lessons

• Our children need to catch up with guides, scouts, beavers, girls brigade, boys brigade & other youth clubs

• Our children need to catch up with play dates

• Our children need to catch up on trips to the cinema and the theatre again

• Our children need to catch up with day trips to the beach

• Our children need to catch up with trips to theme parks and amusements

• Our children need to catch up with trips to the sea life centre or the zoo

• Our children need to catch up with birthday parties

• Our children need to catch up with sleepovers

• Our children need to catch up with visiting forts and castles, museums and galleries

• Our children need to catch up with having a holiday

• Our children need to catch up with people, face to face, in person, actual real people

For lots of us, young and old, seeing people face to face and having closer contact with family and friends may still bring some anxiety. It could take time to readjust to the 'new normal'. 

It's going to take time to catch up - with everything. We won't be able to do it all at once, or in the first few weeks of restrictions easing. 

It's going to take time to catch up - and that's OK.