Isolating away from my child

[LonelyDadBod]

Hi all

Due to a complicated scenario, and following the Government advise from last night, I now find myself in the unenviable position of being isolated away from my 6 year old ds. This isn't because any of us are sick.

To say I'm shattered by this is an understatement, and kissing him goodbye last night whilst he was asleep in bed was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

However it is what it is, it won't be forever, and hopefully no more than the three weeks mentioned last night. Everything crossed.

So I ask your advise. I will of course be Facetiming him on a regular basis, and other than the normal chit chat you expect from a 6yo, I want something more, something I can engage him with remotely whilst we're apart temporarily.

I need ideas of games we can play over Facetime. These don't have to be mind games only, I have absolutely no issue in running around the house like a loon.

One I've thought of is recruiting his mum to hide a bag of treats somewhere and me coming up with a set of elaborate clues, telling him the next clue only when he has completed / worked out the previous.

But I need more. And hopefully this will help those people who, for whatever reason, find themselves in this horrendous position.

What are the circumstances of your isolation?

Why are the circumstances important?

I spy? Making up funny stories? The one where you think of a word and the other person says the first word that comes to mind (can't remember the name of it)

Because maybe they dont really need to isolate for 3 weeks away from their child

Why are you isolating you say you are not ill I don't understand.

I'm guessing doctor or similar perhaps. I've seen a few posts on Facebook from medical professionals that are choosing to isolate because they are in constant contact with people carrying the virus.

Scavenger hunts are a good idea. Eye Spy? Word association games? True or false? Find some weird facts and your son has to guess what ones are real and which aren't. Number game, where you start with a number, then the other person adds it subtracts a number, and you work it out and then add or subtract your own etc.

Hoping this situation hasn't even suggested by your ex op...

Ah right ok. You could tell him you miss him what you are doing "that day" it is ok for him to not be happy and upbeat all the time.

Also you can maybe watch a film or favourite show at the same time and talk about it? Both do some baking at the same time and see whose comes out better?

Love the idea of hiding sweets and giving clues, that's very cute.

What about an ongoing story. They get to name say 3 things which the story will be about. You then come up with a little story and tell them in before bedtime, they then get to either name another thing you have to incorporate into the story or you end the story on a choice - like those choose your own adventure books - the child picks and they get the next part on the next bed time e.g. Does the rabbit go into the forest to go to the seaside?

It would depend on post but could you do half a drawing or craft and send it to them and they fill in the second part so you are colouring together?

There are games you can play from afar, I know Ellen has a heads up game but not sure if that would be too old for a six year old. You can play simple board games like snacks and ladders over face time.

Dress up in a silly costume and set them a task for the week. The wizard wants you to draw the best magical animal in the world! Perhaps you could then be sent the craft or drawing. It gives the at home parent a task they can do with the kid and you get a momento while away.

Could you do Joe Wicks PE lesson together? Do little competitions to see who can do the most star jumps etc to play together?

It's heartbreaking but at that age they can't really sit and talk for extended periods so often and short even though you just want to spend hours with them. I don't know your relationship with the mum and whether or not this would be intrusive but could you get a Facebook portal so you are vaguely on in the background during dinner time and can speak.

Good luck - you're doing the right thing and keeping your child safe

Charades? Hang man?

You could read a book together, scavenger hunt, exercise class, dancing or singing together on facetime.

Whatever you do it should be something personal to you. Think about what you would do if you were together and see if you can adapt to facetime.

Sorry you find yourself in this situation, I hope it passes quickly.

If he wanted to share the circumstances he would have!

@LonelyDadBod My OH went through this when he and his ex split up and he wanted to find a way to keep his son on the phone. He invented a game with him where they both have to predict the scores of their favourite sport. Obviously you can't do that at the moment but maybe something along those lines?

We're also isolating from my step daughter due to another child in my household having health conditions and me being pregnant. Her mum has been very understanding and supportive. It's been a horrible decision to have had to make.

I've also been thinking about this OP and thought that it would he fun to do an easter egg hunt with step daughter reading out clues and her siblings here following them.

Lonelydadbod I can so empathise! 😢

Our only dc is mid 20's but has severe learning difficulties. She lives in a small supported living complex, has her own apartment but fantastic 24 hour care.

We had to say goodby to her on Sunday as the centre is now on 12 week lockdown, (Unless anything changes before then). Also, we can't speak with her directly as it would cause her terrible distress. (She has the speech and understanding of a toddler and doesn't understand any of this at all.). We are able to speak with her staff each day who are amazing. I know she will be cared for really well but we normally see her 4-5 times per week and it is devastating not knowing when we will have any contact with her again. (Although completely agree with the lockdown of course.)

FaceTime is a fabulous tool! Please make the most of it! I feel sure your son would love it too. Wish we could make use of it!(Sorry for projecting.) 😥

Goodbye 🙄

If you both have the same board game you could play a game. Battle ships is a good one.

My dc's grandma has been facetiming to read the dc a bedtime story. She's also been doing PE with Joe Wicks at the same time as us with FaceTime on.

I am having to isolate away from my twin toddlers and feel as if my heart has been ripped in two.

Dipi79 😥