Six months ago, if someone had told me that my summer this year would not include a road trip in New Zealand, a visit to the pandas in Chengdu, or a few weeks in sunny Thailand, I would have laughed in disbelief.
In our family, summer vacations are an annual, well-manicured project consisting of ambitious weeks of travel to at least two must-see places in the world. Summer is always that time of year where we as parents consciously attempt to take a break from our normal routines. A typical holiday for us would include exploring new places, experimenting with new food, discovering new places and embarking on new experiences.
Changed circumstances
However, this year will be very different. The summer of 2020 will be devoid of almost all these things – the things that in hindsight we took for granted. For most of us around the world, this “break” will not include having grandparents visit, and it won’t feature physical playdates in each other’s houses. We won’t be over-extending our kids and enrolling them in after-school classes to build their physical fitness and other skills, preparing them for the year ahead. And yes, there will be no travel, not even to a staycation in a neighbourhood hotel.
As a working mother in the Circuit Breaker period, I just about managed to find the rhythm and routine of balancing distance learning with remote working, along with my other household responsibilities. Knowing that my 14- and 9-year-olds would be at home for eight weeks without the “usual” summer offerings made me extremely anxious. Like most mothers from this decade, I instantly reached out to all my trusted resources for help. This included classroom WhatsApp groups, girlfriend chat groups and, last but not the least, our almighty digital universe. My single-minded objective? To make sure my kids had a solid plan for their summer holidays.
Denne historien er fra August 2020-utgaven av EL Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra August 2020-utgaven av EL Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
6 Ways To A Super Smile!
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Physiotherapist HAN YEN has a special interest in helping people who suffer from scoliosis. Here she tells us more about the symptoms, causes and treatments she uses to ease the condition.
Why We Love This Holland V Salon
Holland Village is dotted with great salons, but The Hair Lounge stands out for offering not only super chic haircuts and colour but top-notch service that turns every visit into a treat. In fact, some of us here at EL have been going there for years!
A Spa scape
If you love to unwind with some pampering in a luxurious spa, this one could be for you! We head to one of our favourites here in Singapore.
Lookin' Sharp!
Gents, up your suave factor with a perfectly fitted bespoke suit from one of these four top tailors in Singapore. There's something for the ladies too!
Looking for a Push Present?
Buying jewellery as a push present has become popular recently. These gifts, often given by partners to new mums, are tokens of appreciation and reminders of the journey of bringing new life into the world.
East Coast Chic
With its green parks, glistening water and charming cafés, Singapore's East Coast is all about laidback tropical vibes. Here, KARA BENSLEY of Joo Chiat boutique The Wyld Shop styles two fabulous outfits-of-theday (OOTD) that will see you through exploring the best spots in the neighbourhood - and all around Singapore - in style!
