Vynka is a friend of ours as well as a fellow business owner. When the lockdowns started happening we both lost big event jobs and it was devastating. Vynka relies on markets and events so this was a big blow to her and her little family. Lucky she still can post items. Earlier in the year we did some photos of her and her business Chase and Hide so I will share them throughout the blog.
How has COVID-19 affected your family?
I am a sole parent with a small business, very early as the events were unfolding, I felt a lot of impending financial pressure, we had a few bad days as a family as I took onboard the situation, not knowing what was going to happen or how I should be reacting and planning both from a business point of view but also making the health and educational decisions for my children alone.
What is one thing that has surprised you about this event?
I was surprised at the start of the virus arriving in Australia; that the people I spoke to were all on such different pages. Some were not worried and very dismissive, others more like myself felt like we were in a holding pattern waiting for everything to fall apart… others were buying toilet paper.
What is one thing you will always remember about this time?
I think the press releases at the start. The roller coaster of emotions and the guilt for not being able to help family and friends because of the risk of being a carrier.
What do you think is really important right now?
It seems right now where we live that we are all feeling much safer. I think its important to get back to work and school. While I was one who pulled their children out early end of first term, I am seeing my friends relationships and business suffer. As well as my children getting further and further behind as I am unable to send them to school, and just don’t have the time to sit down daily. A lot of people who are in similar owner operated business with younger children who are trying to work from home have had to employ a nanny or tutor on top of the normal school fees. My children are beginning to become anxious about not learning and being behind their classmates when they return and I think its important to get them back in routine as soon as is safe.
What have you done to stay in touch with others?
Fence visits, Zooms and phone calls… lots of phone calls
What is one thing that you miss right now?
My children being educated by someone other than me, a coffee with my friends and a hug from my family who live away.
What have you been doing to keep yourself and your family busy?
I am working from home so always something to be done. Keeping positive is more of an issue as my whole work calendar cleared with the first announcements of shut downs – no events (no markets or functions).
As a family we have gone on more bike rides and walks as the boys are really missing their sports, but also as we aren’t running around town for sporting commitments we have had alot more time to spend together as a family. My children have been surprised to see how much happens at home while they are at school during the day.
What is one good thing that you hope will happen after this is all over?
I hope when this is all over people will remember how quickly life can change and I hope we all just slow down a bit.
What is the first thing you are going to do when it is all over?
I really don’t know, buy our teachers a bottle of wine and a good luck card?
I definitely need to take the children to visit their great grandparents in Rockhampton….
Kinda annoying because we usually have school and sporting commitments. Now they are missing chunks of their education… maybe a little reminder about what is important in life.
School kids – Harper aged 7 – Year 3
How have you maintained your friendships? I have been chatting on kids messenger app.
What’s your thoughts on home schooling? Terrible, 100% terrible and 100 % boring because we don’t get to see our friends.
What do you think about the Corona Virus? Its really bad, I miss playing with my friends.
What is one thing you miss doing right now? I miss riding my bike to school and going to the bike jumps which are closed.
What is one thing you are enjoying about this time? I got an Ipad (for schoolwork) and dancing in the kitchen with mum.
School kids – Archer 8 years old. Grade 4
How have you maintained your friendships? We used face time and now kids messenger app, we have done fence visits and I’ve also been writing letters to my great grandparents who live in Rockhampton as they can’t leave the house now.
What’s your thoughts on home schooling? Its really hard because its all on computer and boring because you don’t get to see your friends.
What do you think about the Corona Virus? Its terrible it kills everyone.
What is one thing you miss doing right now? Seeing my friends, going to swimming and playing footy.
What is one thing you are enjoying about this time? Spending more time with my family.
