Having just recently shifted, I’ve become more aware of the importance of building strong neighbourly relations. Shortly after moving into our new home, my youngest son fractured his arm, and two weeks later, I suffered a bad ankle sprain. As he was off school for three weeks, we sometimes went downstairs together to grab lunch. We must have been quite a sight, as many neighbours – most of whom I’ve never met – stopped to ask if we needed help. At the same time, moving house in such an unprecedented historical moment has also made me realise how difficult it can be to make new friends. Part of this arises when safe distancing makes physical exchanges lumbering. I’ve had more than a few conversations in the lift with my new neighbours where I could barely make out what they were saying, and all I could muster was a nod and a smile. Sometimes children can show us the way on overcoming social awkwardness. Since we moved into a new neighbourhood, my boys have made firm friends with other peers in the area.... Continue Reading