5 things we are doing differently for National lockdown number 2

Can you believe that we are already halfway through the (Covid-19) National lockdown number 2 in the UK?! It’s completely flying by for us, unlike the first time it hit back in March. In fact, it hardly even feels like we are in a lockdown at all – apart from not seeing friends and family of course – but generally speaking, it’s nowhere near as stressful as before. Here are 5 things we are doing differently for National lockdown number 2.

School is at school

Now, I wasn’t 100% sure about this at first, but actually, having school IN school during the National lockdown is EVERYTHING. Not just because it’s naturally going to be a heck of a lot easier balancing working from home without attempting to be a teacher as well. But mainly because the little is happier! She’s seeing her friends, being challenged by her teachers and getting back into a more ‘normal’ routine. What a difference it’s made. Throw in extended school days and sh*t loads of homework, and school has made absolutely sure that there is no time left, after all that, to miss anything other than their beds at the end of the day. #Exhausted #ButInAGoodWay

Our online food shopping is booked in advance

After seeing all the trolls out in force over Tesco’s Christmas online shopping booking opening the other day, I wasn’t sure I wanted to admit this. It seems like a dirty word now. But it’s true. We shop online. We have shopped online for at least 8 years now. And, we have one of those slot booking thingy’s where you pay to be able to, in theory, book a slot when you want one (within reason) – also something we’ve had for years. 

Because the system usually works so well, in the past we would book maybe a couple of days in advance. So, roll in the first lockdown, and what a blooming surprise I had when you could not get a slot (bearing in mind they had already been paid for) for love or money for weeks. Ekk!! STRESS!!! Mummy FREAK OUT!!! 

But this time round, I’ve been a lot more organised, and booked, as (newly) prompted in advance. Meaning we are literally covered for online shopping for the duration of the lockdown.

Because this is our normal way of shopping, it feels like we have some of our typical routine in place and one less thing to think about. Everyone’s happy.

We made sure we had toilet roll

I know… I couldn’t resist this one. But it’s true. We made sure we had the basics before the start of lockdown number 2. I’m not sure you can really call a normal week of shopping ‘stocking up’ exactly. But I do feel we are a lot more prepared than in the 1st lockdown with basic provisions. So again, one less thing to worry about.

via GIPHY

Our kitchen and bathroom renovations are still a go-go

It’s sods law isn’t it. You finally make an important decision, like a renovation project, and just as it’s about to start, something happens to stop everything in its tracks. This happened to us during the 1st lockdown. Just as our project was about to happen, it had to be put on hold. 

At the time it was moved to October, and we crossed our fingers that everything would be fine. But, partway into the renovations that started last month, we realised that lockdown number 2 was highly likely. Luckily, even though lockdown number 2 did happen, our renovations haven’t had to stop at all. What a relief! We are heading into week 7 next week and everything should be finished. Yippy! It’s been a rollercoaster ride with so many highs and lows, but if anything, it’s been such a big focus that the actual lockdown has sort of melted off into the background. #WinWin

We’ve been kinder to ourselves

If there’s one thing that we’ve learnt from the first lockdown, it’s to be kinder to ourselves. This time round there are more pajama Sundays. There have been plenty of ‘staying up late’ Friday and Saturday nights. There have also been even more days where Little Button has been in bed on time, and I’ve followed suit and have been tucked up by 8.30pm! Chatting for an hour or so on the phone happens a lot. And, we are sweating the small stuff less and noticing more when we need to take a break and relax.

How is lockdown number 2 going for you and are you doing anything different this time round? 

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