Bonjour lecteurs! How are you surviving the winter lockdown? This time of the year is usually really quiet for us. After Christmas, we are always going back to routines slowly and there is not much to report back. But January 2021 was even quieter. If anything, the only big event was Baba’s birthday as he turned 5! And of course, our own homeschooling story! Time to share it all in my monthly highlights!
Going back to Routines Slowly
January 2021 started slowly for us. I imagine it is pretty much the same given the circumstances. After a lovely Christmas break with my boys, it was time to get back to routines.
As always, I reviewed last year and decided to work on new targets. But I lowered big time my expectations. I am not going to worry and get anxious over things I can not control!
Homeschooling!
Indeed, we are still in full swing with homeschooling! And teaching a 5-year-old to read and write have its challenges! Baba is a bright boy, but he is not keen on writing much sometimes!
The whole experience has actually been positive overall. The school sends us lots of resources to get going.
But we have days when we don’t achieve much. I suppose it is to be expected. Remote learning on the computer is definitely not the same!
But we still enjoy storytime and we try to make it fun.
May I even dare say that I even like teaching again?! It is so satisfying to see Baba making progress thanks to my help. Even it is quite slow at times! He is so little and I must always remember to keep drilling concepts and new things we learn together.
Enjoying Outdoors
But I have made sure to have a balance in our routine and we have also been lucky to enjoy some more walks. We still love a local adventure!
The frost was quite an exciting one for Baba and we also loved some cold but sunny walks at the weekends.
I have not been much on my bike as it needed repairs and the shops were closed. But Grumpy managed to fix it (hurrah!), so I am hoping to get back on it more regularly.
Friluftsliv – A Nordic Concept
There is nothing more relaxing than cycling on the snowy country paths! It is so pretty and fresh! I have been testing le concept nordique of Friluftsliv. L’idée est simple.
It is l’opposé of the hygge philosophy, that makes you turn your home into a cosy sanctuary.
The Norwegian concept of Friluftsliv basically encourages you to get out into the great outdoors, whatever the weather! And reconnect with nature. It literally means “free air life” in Norwegian. It has been so revigorating! The boys are not yet convinced, but I am on it! ?
Either way, it has helped me so much mentally to take some time off and really appreciate what nature has to offer.
Home, TV Shows and Relax!
Other than that, we spent a lot more time at home. I have read so many good books! Would you like me to write a post with my fave reads?
And we watched more series than usual too! I have been totally hooked to Scandi TV shows such as Rita and The Valhalla Murders.
With a bit of Frenchie food of course!
Baba Turned 5!
And the month ended with a blast with Baba’s birthday! It was party time!!!! In the Frenchie house, the three of us with loads of balloons!!
But also some cool presents for the little one. On another note, I ordered a stunning cake from Eat & Mess and it got us going for 3 days! I had so much sugar! But it was absolutely delicieux and all so worth it!
Your child’s birthday only happens once!
Winter Days
January 2021 was simple and slow. It was colder, so we went out less. Even less now everything is closed. Routines have changed.
I am truly acclimated to my country life and made a conscious choice to actually be closer to nature.
I want to observe what it has to offer us, even on dark days with its empty trees. I have been actively walking in our area to reach 10K steps a day. I am pretty good overall and the sun on my face, the cold fresh air against my skin feel amazing!
Sunnier Days & Hopes
Despite quite a bit of snow recently, it’s pretty obvious that the Spring is coming over soon. I don’t know about you, but I am so looking forward to a change.
I am dreaming of a sunny holiday. Or any adventure not local! I want to attempt more physical challenges and push myself even further!
Mentally, I am in a better place even if I have the odd day! It is all pretty intense, but I have made a very conscious decision to lower my expectations and concentrate on what really matters.
January 2021 – Lower Expectations
My top priorités are my family, Baba, keeping good health, taking care of my mental well-being, and support my friends. Plus, my income is too! Because we have to pay bills!
The rest is a plus. If it happens, great. If not, it is not a big deal! It is on hold for now because we are witnessing unpreceded times. I have no energy for worries when it is out of my control.
Reading this post, you might think that I am just a boring maman. Well, so be it! But it is only temporary 🙂
We have many exciting projects in the pipeline. I have high hopes for the future! I hope you too!
What will be the first thing you do when the lockdown is over and you can see your loved ones again? Have you too lowered your expectations so that you can manage it all?
Disclosure: This post might feature some sponsored content I recently published but it is merely a list of my highlights of the month! A post where I share some reflections as a mum in the country. I hope it will help you to reflect too and empower your decisions even more!
Please note: some pics in this post are pre-lockdown.
It must be really hard for this age, they’ve only had a couple of months of broken education and the rest has been at home, so they don’t have that foundation there for you to build on
Lovely to read such good family time during lockdown.
Happy Birthday to your son.
It is so important to get fresh air every day, especially now that we are in lockdown. We try to go for a 3 mile walk every morning, and although I am cold when we start, by the end I have warmed up nicely. I bought some new boots with fluffy lining which keep my feet toasty.
For me: I’ll be straight up to see our grandchildren together again. I used to look after them once a week.
This last year been hard as they come under a different council catchment to us. Whilst they live 20 minutes away its been different rules. Been awful.
Though do try and count my blessings we have Facetime etc to see them. I look forward to the school runs and my Grandson curling up on my lap and frequently nodding off as he is at pre-nursery full-time
We haven’t got any school aged kids so we don’t envy you! You do seem to be doing a good job with your lovely son!
Very good article!
We go out for a daily walk. My son is good at getting on his school work mostly.
So much fun ! Happy bithday too YOU – one that wont be forgotten
I don’t envy you having to home-school a 5 year old! We’re all doing more reading in lockdown so I’d be glad of any suggestions of good books to read- although I’ve had enough of crime and murder ones as the TV seems to be full of dramas about that too!
Great photos, happy Birthday! Love the cake!
Thank you for making this all so interesting. Baba is growing up and you are doing a great job!
Oh such a cutie! Happy Birthday little one!
You are doing a good job. Lovely to read of you both getting out in the fresh air.
Looks like you had a busy month!
It’s so nice for it to get lighter – I hope spring brings you what you’re looking for and makes the homeschooling a little easier!
they grow up so fast, you blink and you miss it! shame as you are so exhausted as a new parent just stumble from one day to the next and before you know it they are adults, and look back and realise they were magical years
Lovely Pics . Hopefully homeschooling ending soon
It looks like you have both had lots of fun! I hope he had a lovely birthday! The birthday cake is lovely ?
Looks like Baba had a great fifth Birthday!
I would love a post with your favourite reads as I am always looking for new books to read. I love a cold sunny walk with the children too.
Well done all mum’s
He is looking so grown up in the photos. Arlo had a lockdown birthday too, he wanted a big cake and a big party, He had a big cake, a Gruffalo one, but couldn’t have the party but he enjoyed his day
He is looking so grown up in the photos. Arlo had a lockdown birthday too, he wanted a big cake and a big party, He had a big cake, a Gruffalo one, couldn’t have the party but he enjoyed his day
Yt looks like you are doing a great job of home schooling! I hope your Son had a great 5th Birthday!
Happy birthday!
I can’t wait for lockdown to be over so I can see my friends and family, after being stuck indoors I am looking forward to planning a holiday once we are safe to travel again ?
such a lovely read about your fun family
Happy 5th birthday to baba.
What a lovely cake!
Such lovely family photos xx
Happy birthday Baba, my daughter is 5 in March
Looks like you’ve been having lots of fun and it’s a great cake!
Great post.
I really feel for children who have only just started school, they haven’t had chance to fully settle into school life so when they go back it will be like starting school all over again,
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Yes, I agree so much with that. On one hand, I really want him to go back to school ASAP. But on the other hand, I also feel worried about what it will be like when it happens 🙁
I think you are doing great
He seems to be keeping busy doing this which are both fun and educational – well done !
I hope he had a lovely birthday! I can’t wait to have a sunny holiday either ?
I think everyone with small children need a huge well done for home schooling as well as everything else that needs to be done. Your boys are gorgeous. x
Happy Birthday to your son. That cake looks delicious! It is great that you had a celebration at home for him as birthdays mean so much to young children.
This is so super cute. Wishing you many happy returns!
It looks like he enjoyed his lockdown birthday and lots of fun ?
It looks like he had a fun lockdown birthday ?
Sounds like fun and lots of learning. Well done to all mums
You are making fantastic memories. This will all be lovely to look back on.
awww! Happy birthday x
I hope he had a lovely lockdown birthday! I love the grey throw in your photos ?
Looks like you had a lovely celebration!
Those macarons look delicious!
It looks like he had a lovely lockdown birthday ? I live the birthday cake ?
It looks like he had a lovely lockdown birthday ? I love the birthday cake ?
i live on a fairly rough estate and “homeschooling” seems to consist of the kids riding there bikes and playing football!
Sounds like a very busy week! It looks like he had a lovely lockdown birthday ?
Oh cutie!
looks like Baba`s enjoyed his home schooling
I love the photos! It looks like he had a lovely lockdown birthday ?
I always find it difficult to get out walking when the weather is like this, I should set myself a 10k target to keep myself more motivated! I hope he had a lovely birthday ?
Great article liking the theme of getting closer to nature and enjoying the countryside
happy birthday!
Cute photos! I hope he had a lovely 5th birthday, his cake looks awesome ?
Looks like you’ve had some wonderful celebrations. My expectations of everything in life has just mellowed.
My son will be 5 in July time goes so quickly
I hope he had a lovely 5th lockdown birthday! I like the birthday cake ?
Such a cutie!
It must be so hard sometimes trying to homeschool children. Well done to all you parents out there trying to make it work 🙂
Can now see the light at the end of the tunnel for homeschooling, we are so happy
Have a great birthday little one.
I hope he had a lovely lockdown birthday, Children grow up too fast but it sounds like your enjoying every moment ?
As a retired teacher who had endless patience with my pupils but very little when it came to helping my own two children with school work I don’t envy anyone home-schooling!
Hope he had a lovely birthday
It’s very hard on children at the moment being away from school and their friends. Trying to home school must be very hard. My granddaughter age 7 went back to school on Wednesday she wasn’t keen as she’s been home for so long. At home time she and her best friend wanted to play together at home both were in tears as they couldn’t understand they can play together at school but not at home.
His birthday cake is lovely! I hope he had a great lockdown birthday ?
Looks like he had a great birthday at least.