WENDY - LOCKDOWN MUM

In all honesty I have dealt with a real mix of emotions during the past 5 weeks. Initially, it was the fear factor of keeping my family safe and trying to make sure everyone was happy, which is not always easy when you have 3 children aged 6,8,10, as their tendencies are to bicker. Although, even they are starting to realise the importance of all working together and looking out for one another.

In all honesty I have dealt with a real mix of emotions during the past 5 weeks. Initially, it was the fear factor of keeping my family safe and trying to make sure everyone was happy, which is not always easy when you have 3 children aged 6,8,10, as their tendencies are to bicker.

Although, even they are starting to realise the importance of all working together and looking out for one another. There was also the worry of not keeping up with the school work, but above all, was an underlying thankfulness to be safe and well and the appreciation of ‘the little things’ in life that we are all guilty of taking for granted.

I work for both Bradford & Howley Estate Agents and Biggar Financial Planning, and although I have currently been furloughed by Bradford & Howley, I am still working for Biggar Financial Planning on the mortgage side of the business, so trying to juggle work and home schooling has been somewhat of a challenge, especially trying to maintain some sort of sanity. I find a little bit of mummy juice in the evening helps at the end of the day 😊 Over the past couple of days I have drafted in the grandparents online to give them spelling and arithmetic tests.

The upside to all of this, is that as a family we have enjoyed the ‘free time’ we have spent together, in activities such as walking our 2 energetic spaniels and exploring the beautiful countryside we have on our doorstep. My 6 year old’s ability to walk 10KM and cycle 12KM has blown me away. Her Fitbit challenge peaked at 24,000 steps one day!!

We have also camped out for a couple of nights in our back garden, attempted the Joe Wicks workouts, which are harder than they look!! Enjoyed countless days in the garden playing in the paddling pool and the children spending hours bouncing on their trampoline. Thank goodness the weather has been kind to us, I’m sure life would have been a lot more difficult without the sunshine.

We have done an enormous amount of baking and the children take it in turns to prepare dinner with me in the evening. Their favourite bakes, I think, have to be the gingerbread men. I will post the recipe at the bottom for you to try with your little ones!

Every Thursday we go out as a family and clap for the amazing NHS and Key workers. It is so lovely to see all our neighbours join in and we give them a big wave and blow kisses to each other. It makes you appreciate the neighbourhood we live in even more and feel the togetherness.

One thing I have found myself increasingly thankful for is the use of technology at the moment. The children keep in contact with their friends daily and play with them virtually. We have even continued their beaver, cubs and scout sessions by connecting by zoom – an amazing discovery. We also check in with the rest of the family on a regular basis. For myself, being able to connect with others when feeling the loneliness, definitely helps to pick myself up and carry on. I feel very grateful to have such lovely friends, family and work colleagues.

Gingerbread Men

Ingredients

· 350g/12oz Plain Flour

· 1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda

· 2 tsp Ground Ginger

· 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon

· 125g/4½ oz Butter

· 175g/6oz Light Soft Brown Sugar

· 1 Free-Range Egg

· 4 tbsp Golden Syrup

To Decorate

· Icing Sugar

· Smarties

Preparation Method

1. Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and cinnamon and pour into the bowl of a food processor. Add the butter and blend until the mix looks like breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar.

2. Lightly beat the egg and golden syrup together, add to the food processor and pulse until the mixture clumps together. Tip the dough out, knead briefly until smooth, wrap in clingfilm and leave to chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 180c/350f/Gas 4 Line two baking trays with greaseproof paper.

4. Roll the dough out to 0.5cm/¼¼ thickness on a lightly floured surface. Using cutters, cut out the gingerbread men shapes and place on the baking tray, leaving a gap between them.

5. Bake for 10mins, or until lightly golden-brown. Leave on the tray for 10mins and then move to a wire rack to finish cooling. When cooled decorate with the icing and smarties.