Today as I sit and prepare for our first full week of home schooling alongside me being a registered childminder the feeling of dread looms high. I have £6 in my electric meter, I have 0 money to top it up, I have no coal for the fire and I'm burning my home heating oil to keep us warm, a source I try not to use all day because I can't just buy £20 of oil...

We’d already decided that we thought the Christmas bubbles were ridiculous so had decided to spend Christmas at home. Keeping the older people in our family safe was much more important to us...

Well I was NOT expecting that my Covid reality for my 1st EVER Covid Christmas was to have contracted Covid. I haven't seen my 7 year old son from Dec 18th and I haven't seen my 11 year old daughter since Dec 23rd when my test came back positive...

Really struggling this week emotionally. Since Christmas eve I've just been burnt out emotionally...

With help. During the summer I'd put extra money on the meter to try and give me some leeway, but it's been so cold that that was used up by early Dec...

Had so many ups and downs since my last diary entry. Almost felt like quitting entirely last week, not Covid Realities, just life in general (not in a suicidal type way, more in a 'I've got no energy left for anything anymore' type way)...

I don't think I have ever felt as anxious about Christmas as I do this year....

Feeling anxious and worried that Christmas is going to be whitewash this year. The kids don’t have a lot, I’ve not got any “Christmas” food/treats in and to be honest my mental health is suffering...

My girl is 9 so still believes in Santa. Don't we all...

'Christmas is here!!' Is the mantra of the moment. I have to be careful not to tag my child along to the shops else she'll want those toys so conspicuously displayed...