Sometimes things just don’t go to plan. I started the New Year full hope and, dare I say, determination. I had a big plan to start us on a family routine of language learning. However, it looks like we might need to start in earnest in a few days instead!

A number of factors, including sickness by all and change in routine due to holidays means that it’s been difficult to get started.

It’s just one of those things that happen. You could say the stars were not quite aligned. And you know what happened? English TV happened. The girls have been poorly at home for four days and aside from the odd half an hour playing or story time, they’ve pretty much been on a diet of what they wanted: their favourite TV channel Cbeebies. I’m not proud of it. But I’m also not ashamed.

In the last four years I found that, for my sanity and wellbeing, and for that of everyone else around me, sometimes I need to relax, go with the flow, and spare myself so I can be there for my family.

The good news is…

We’re still enjoying the effects of the holiday back home. Both I and the girls are speaking more Portuguese than we were before the holiday. In fact, the 4 year old is being very dutiful, reminding me (!) to speak Portuguese. I am really enjoying seeing her enthusiasm.

So, on that note… not all is lost. Sometimes we just need to postpone things for a few days… but not give up. Ever.