Communicate Frequently. The Flint and Flint Smith ladies are all doing this as far as we are able. As I mentioned, it is much harder for mum and dad than the rest of us. Dad’s sight is too poor for him to easily use a phone and the carers are in the home are very busy, so we don’t want to be a nuisance by continually taking the careworkers away from the residents. I am able to ring Mick. I like to chat whilst I am doing my daily ‘isolated’ walk. This is heading towards Mick’s headtime where he is very ready for some interaction after a day of isolation in Bangkok. The girls, communicate late into the night. Their communication techniques are far more advanced than ours and include playing online games, watching shared films and series as well as good old fashioned chatting.

Complete Tasks. This is something that I try to do anyway when feeling anxious and the current situation is certainly anxiety inducing. In our household we have our days divided up into ‘tasks’  time and ‘chilling out’ time. (Betsy hates the word ‘jobs’, but that’s what ‘tasks’ are!) and goals. Our jobs include regular day-t0-day stuff like washing, hoovering, folding laundry etc. (but the iron has NOT been out!). In addition Annie has been keeping busy by painting the fence and garden bench, I’ve sorted out the garage and Betsy has become a dab-hand at bathroom cleaning! We have all agreed to be mindful that tasks do need doing so as to live harmoniously together! 

Remember to be Grateful and Kind. In recent times it has felt, occasionally, that the cards are stacked against the Flints and Flint Smiths. There is, though, a lot to be grateful for. We ladies, at least, can be together; Dad is being well-cared for; the weather is good so we are not completely confined to the house, but can get out in the garden. There’s loads more things too. My strategy is to write three different things down every morning which sets the day off positively.

Take a Challenge. I like nothing better than ticking things off a list and tracking my achievements, however small they might be. (I’ve been doing the Goodreads Reading Challenge for several years now and it still gives me a thrill when I complete it.) Annie has a similar mindset to me regarding challenges. She has made a ‘goal calendar for April where we tick off daily the things we accomplish. My own goals are to improve on the piano, do some exercise and either read or blog daily. Betsy has also ‘allowed’ her name to be added to the April challenge, but I’m not so sure that it is quite her thing. ‘Lists’ are another one of her taboo words along with ‘jobs’ and this particular challenge does include an element of ticking off and recording what we’ve done.