How are parents celebrating some free time and the relief of kids being back at school?

Parents across the country have taken to social media to share how they will be spending their week now that millions of children in England have gone back to school.

The move marks the first step of Boris Johnson’s “roadmap” out of lockdown, which he unveiled last month.

Most primary schools are expected to open for all pupils on Monday but secondary schools will have a phased return to give students enough time to take their Covid-19 tests.

But how are parents spending their first week without the children?

One mother, said: “I celebrated by hoovering and changing the bedding,” while another tweeted: “I’m really missing my little office buddy now that she’s gone back to school. Anyone else?”

British Actor and writer, Rufus Jones said he would be spending his day eating cheese.

“Twin girls go back to school on #InternationalWomensDay. But just to let you know, it’s International Sit In My Pants And Eat Cheese day in this house till 2:50,” he tweeted.

The Twitter account for BBC soap EastEnders shared a gif of its cast dancing the conga around Albert Square to express the newfound freedom of many parents.

While one father wrote this morning that he can finally hear the radio again.

“I can’t hear anything else other than the tippity-tap of my keyboard. This is a revelation. Parents of school-aged children, enjoy your day,” he added.

“Any other parents working from home feel slightly weird with an empty house? Not complaining,” another user tweeted.

A mother of two from Southampton posted: “Hand up who else is bunking off homeschool today.”

The children’s return to school was met with a series of memes and tiktok videos made by parents across the country but some did say Monday was a bittersweet day.

Using the hastag  #Schoolsreopening, one mother said: “Concern about the impacts on prevalence aside, I am very relieved the children are going back to school full-time next week.

“But I cannot imagine summoning the energy to catch up with my enormous backlog of work.”