Weekly Wellbeing

Reflections from Julie, Student Wellbeing Officer and Working From Home Parent

As I sit at my kitchen table, around the corner from my Grade 5 son and only a few rooms away from my Year 8 son and Year 10 daughter, I am reminded of the privilege that comes from having children. Yes, their behavior frustrates me at times, yes, I struggle with the constant calls of “Muuum” and yes, I have found it hard to respond to the “I have nothing to do” comments that have been common in our household over the past few weeks. These are normal reactions to what is a very unique time. Despite this, I am reminded of all that we do have:

• Health
• An excellent health system, including online mental health services
• A roof over our heads
• Food to eat
• Access to technology
• Fresh air to breathe
• Games to play
• Bikes to ride
• Balls to throw
• DVD players to play past Grand finals so that we can have ‘footy days’ for those who are missing the footy
• Gardens to work in
• An excellent education system
• The opportunity to create memories
• Better connection with loved ones
• A postal system to surprise friends and family with hard copy cards and letters
• Coloured chalk to decorate our driveways
• Teddy bears to put in our windows
• The opportunity to care for and encourage our neighbours in some way
• The opportunity to slow down and appreciate special moments
• The opportunity to learn something new (I have just signed up to learn AUSLAN online)
• The opportunity to be creative
• Animals to care for and receive love from

I could go on and hope that although your circumstances are different to mine, you can identify with some of the above list.  Maybe tonight, you could connect with the people in your house and do a brainstorm of all of the positive things that you can celebrate at this time.

Below is a collection of photos of what my family have been getting up to. Maybe you could create an ‘At Home’ photo collage of all that you and your children are doing.

                                                              Tie Dying using empty UHT cartons for bottles  

'Chip’ arranging my hair!  

                                                                                           'Pokey’ and ‘Piper’ chillin’

                                               Fence painting to improve the view outside bedroom windows       

I climbed the lemon tree!           

Until next week, stay healthy and remember to visit the ‘Student Wellbeing’ tab on the CHPS Home Learning page.  Also, remember to keep in touch with teachers and if you would like to, Cheyenne and I.  We are all here for you and your children.

Julie Reid  -  Student Wellbeing Officer