It’s a small step for a child, but a giant leap for mumkind

I’ve just dropped my six year old son at school. I was apprehensive about how he’d feel but he bounded up the school steps like Rocky, two teachers cheering him on at the gates. After everything we’ve all been through, it was an emotional moment.

“Back to school” always feels like a wee turning point in the year, but it feels even more significant this time because it’s a big step back to normality. Speaking to the other mums and dads, we joked about how we are free at last! But the look on everyone’s face is one of genuine relief.

Working from home with kids under foot has taught us the true meaning of multitasking. Remember how we all laughed at that clip of professor Robert Kelly being interrupted by his kids during a live BBC interview? Well, none of us are laughing now.

In many ways it’s been a great bonding experience but it’s wearing thin.

Of course, working mums are no strangers to the struggle for work/life balance, including this week’s cover star Liv Tyler. The Hollywood actress took a break from acting while she raised her three children but is now enjoying a return to her career.

She tells us on pages 6&7: “You are all over the place and conducting this huge orchestra at home so when I go to work, it’s a like a vacation.” How many of us have said the same thing?

As I sit at my kitchen table, writing in peace and quiet, I feel a deep sense of gratitude to the brave staff and teachers who are enabing our children to restart their education this week – and helping frazzled parents to reclaim our sanity.