Watching my girls have video conferences each morning to discuss the day's news and tasks is rather fascinating, given that's been my morning workflow for years now.

(Worth noting that I'm thankful for the decent internet service here in Bega that allows three simultaneous video conferences without a blink - I know not everyone has that 'luxury').

The tricky bit comes after they hang up on their teacher.

Then it falls to us parents to keep them occupied, motivated and on task. A tough ask given I find that a challenge just for myself!

The schools are doing what they can in challenging circumstances, providing a suite of printed and electronic classwork to complete.

As well as spelling lists and maths problems, we've also created insects out of old electronic parts and built a raft out of everyday craft materials.

I can only imagine how difficult is it for the teachers as well - particularly when their own child is crawling all over them as they try to lead Monday morning video meetings with 20-odd pupils all trying to talk at the same time.

More odd - if there can still be something odd in this crazy time - is watching my daughter have her piano lesson via a Zoom video call, or them both taking ballet lessons the same way. A brave new world indeed.

There are so many distractions - for the kids and me both.

A new puppy chief among them, but also we remain surrounded by attention-grabbers like an iPad, TV, trampoline, endless cups of coffee, or Nailed It on Netflix (highly recommended!).

"Cabin fever" also kicks in regularly.

However, one way to look at it is that everything is a potential lesson, from conflict resolution (usually over the iPad) or how to bake great cakes, to the caterpillars feeding and forming chrysalises on the backyard lemon tree.

The best I can do is to help lead them both through this chaotic period of their education - and life - sincerely hoping they are getting as much from it as possible.

The next challenge will be to do all this again next term when I'm back at work in front of my own computer and webcam as well.

Ben Smyth, editor