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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have a mini lockdown this half term?

54 replies

picketingpanic · 25/10/2021 11:55

My kids have been on and off ill since the beginning of term, so this half term we are having a sort of mini lockdown to let them recover from the various ailments they've brought home, and give their systems a bit of a break.

I'm not confining them to the house, we have a big garden with lots of play equipment, we've been for a walk to the beach, we are going to a local wood tomorrow to explore. I'm just keeping them distant, but not totally isolating them from, other people.

Neither child is bothered by this, as the little one is only three and the bigger one is autistic and delighted by being home tbh. We've baked cupcakes, carved pumpkins, painted our hands and feet and made rainbows.

But I mentioned 'mini lockdown' to a friend and they sent a 😒 face and said 'Oh no, we have to socialise them, keeping them home isn't good for them AT ALL'

AIBU to think I know what's best for my small humans? Or am I a monster that has chained my children up unhumanely? They'll be back in nursery/classroom in less than a week now.

OP posts:
toomuchlaundry · 25/10/2021 11:58

Sounds good to me, especially as it sounds as if it would particularly suit your eldest DC

3cats4poniesandababy · 25/10/2021 12:01

Sounds like your plan suits your children where as your friends plans no doubt suits her and her children. Neither is right or better. We are all now in the situation (as it should be) where we can do what is best for our families.

StupidPhones · 25/10/2021 12:03

Sounds quite sensible for a week. I wouldn't name it a lockdown though as it has too many negative associations!

ElfDragon · 25/10/2021 12:06

You do you.

I have been doing the opposite (2 week half term, just starting the second week), as it works better for us.

My 3 are all ASD. They struggled with not being able to do the things they enjoy when they were closed during lockdown/restrictions. We have been busy with play dates (ha! 2 of them are teens, so friend meet ups), a trampoline park visit, lunch out, National trust property, bowling, some friends and relatives visiting.

I am not at all confident that all these options will be available over the winter, and so we are doing things while we can. It works for us. Nothing wrong with doing it your way either, it sounds as though your dc are happy.

home2012 · 25/10/2021 12:07

We are doing similar. Just having a quiet week, lots of home time. It feels like we have all been Ill constantly since they went back to school.

Row1n · 25/10/2021 12:07

I think it sounds lovely! I know what your friend means about needing to mix to a certain degree but having a week away from it all to get some fresh air and decent sleep etc sounds a perfect boost before heading back into the classrooms

QueenofKattegat · 25/10/2021 12:08

Well you chose the silly term "mini lockdown". If you'd just said, we're stopping at home and doing a bit of baking etc. as they've both been ill then your friend would've said oh ok sounds nice.

User527294627 · 25/10/2021 12:09

What you’re doing is absolutely fine. Calling it a ‘mini lockdown’ is needlessly dramatic and probably led your friend to get the wrong impression about what is, in fact, just a quiet half term.

Tiredout123 · 25/10/2021 12:10

Sounds perfect. It's been a tough term I think

Glitterblue · 25/10/2021 12:10

That's how we often spend our half terms, just walks, baking, crafts etc. I wouldn't go as far as calling it a mini lockdown though.

SiobhanSharpe · 25/10/2021 12:10

Sounds fine to me, it suits you and your family and you're having a lovely time.
I wondered if she's suggesting they might be more vulnerable to Covid on their return to school. Or that they'd be happier if they socialised with friends over half term.
Slightly weird in either case but anyway it's entirely up to you. Have a great week.

stalkersaga · 25/10/2021 12:12

Yeah, I agree. Calling it a "mini lockdown" was a bit melodramatic and gives the strong impression you're keeping them in against their will (that's rather the point and definition of a lockdown). If you'd just said "we're going to have a quiet week with plenty of fresh air" she would probably have said "how lovely, enjoy".

scully29 · 25/10/2021 12:13

we are doing this, just calling it a lazy week, lots of playing at home and in the garden, dog walking, just downsizing the activities as we are so busy in the school week now, the kids have asked for it and its been lovely so far!

BananaPB · 25/10/2021 12:13

I think the term mini lockdown was going to trigger some as it carries very negative associations.

Being outdoors definitely helped my kids during illness season and if not seeing anyone is what constitutes a break for the older child then why not? The autumn term is long and tough.

cricketmum84 · 25/10/2021 12:14

Gosh some people are so dramatic!!

My DC are also having a mini lockdown of sorts. This is my busiest week of the month so I'm working from home. DH can't get any time off work either. So we are all in the house all week.

I would be pretty pissed off if I got a response like that from one of my friends. I mean it's a week of not socialising! There's loads of us out there who have to do the same this week!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 25/10/2021 12:15

Do whatever you like ,you don't need to ask anyone.

I did similar years ago when ds kept getting I'll with back to back viruses. We stopped going to play group and didn't see friends for a bit just so he could recover .

DreamerSeven · 25/10/2021 12:17

Sounds like a normal half term to me, not sure it needs to be labeled as anything as emotive as a mini lockdown.

BananaPB · 25/10/2021 12:22

Your friend's reaction might be a defensive thing out of paranoia about being judged. Some parents aren't confident about their decisions and think that people doing other things is a judgement on them when nothing of the sort has been said. There might be an element of her enjoying socialising as much as the kids do or feeling obligated to organise social events. Sometimes on here you see posts about mothers feeling guilty that they "only" provided a boring break when some kids would enjoy pottering around baking etc

As a pp said maybe Lazy Week is a better term

Original poster
picketingpanic · 25/10/2021 12:24

@stalkersaga

Yeah, I agree. Calling it a "mini lockdown" was a bit melodramatic and gives the strong impression you're keeping them in against their will (that's rather the point and definition of a lockdown). If you'd just said "we're going to have a quiet week with plenty of fresh air" she would probably have said "how lovely, enjoy".
It is more of a joke tbh. Obviously we are not locked down.
OP posts:
Comedycook · 25/10/2021 12:26

Sounds absolutely pointless to me

MakkaPakkas · 25/10/2021 12:28

I think you need to rebrand it to 'chill half term'. Lockdown is an emotive word for a lot of people rn

Briony123 · 25/10/2021 12:29

It's not a lockdown, it's a quiet week at home, recharging. Many, many families have always done them.

WonderfulYou · 25/10/2021 12:30

We are exhausted and ill so we’re not having a mini lockdown as such but we are going to stay home and relax as much as possible.

LopsidedWombat · 25/10/2021 12:30

Agree that calling it a mini lockdown, even in jest, will rub some people the wrong way. Its too soon! Without the details of what you are getting up to she might have thought you're keeping them indoors. Just say you're having a quiet half term.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 25/10/2021 12:31

Quiet half term sounds much nicer than mini lockdown. What you’re actually doing sounds something we’d enjoy.