Sheffield mum opens up on ‘pressure’ of homeschooling in lockdown as kids return to school

Mum-of-three, Amy Rhodes said she felt a sense of relief of having two of her elder children in school as she believed that they were safe enough to do so.

She said the school where her children - Isabella, 8 and Harrison, 6 go to - Ecclesall Primary School, has stringent safety measures in place to keep everyone safe by enforcing the 2-metre social distancing rule and wearing the face covering.

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The 32-year-old stay-at-home-mum said: "It's been hard for me especially as I have a baby being born in February last year and we had a few weeks before we went into (the first) lockdown.

"Homeschooling was fine then, but as the baby got older, it has been a lot of pressure for me so I've had good days and I've got bad days.

"So I am a bit relieved they have gone back to school and it took some pressure off me...it makes a huge difference."

Mum-of-four Murni Mokhtar, 49 of Woodhouse said two of her children, Musaddiq, 17 and Muhriz, 15, will return to their secondary schools in King Edward VII and Aston Academy on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.

And taking the lateral flow tests organised by the schools for her children helps keep her mind at ease, she added.

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"I am not that concerned anymore, first, because a lot more people are vaccinated now and the Covid positive cases continue to fall.

"It's a matter of time the kids returned to school and I'm a lot happier. I'm not anxious or anything because more adults are vaccinated now so I wouldn't worry about them getting on the bus."

She however hopes that lateral flow testing is made mandatory instead of voluntary.

"If parents are being responsible, they should do it. Imagine, everybody gets a test and they all test negative, everybody is safe and can be happy in school," she said.

Most secondary schools have started with a staggered return this week, as pupils take Covid tests called lateral flow tests and face masks are required to be worn in classrooms.

Primary schools have opened for all pupils on Monday.

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.