To have a mini lockdown this half term?

[picketingpanic]

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.

I think your plan seems fine for your kids, as it suits what they want to do and gives them a chance to recharge etc.

However, I think your mistake was in referring to it as a "mini-lockdown" - that's what your friend was reacting to!
If you'd said you were having some chilled out family time (which is what you are doing), I imagine she would not have responded as she did.
But calling it a lockdown does make it sound quite miserable, because of the connotations people have with that word.

Why do people feel the need to interfere?

I think it’s calling it lockdown that’s given her the wrong idea, I’d just call it a quiet week, or some time to recharge. Everyone needs that sometimes!

I can see why you are doing it, however I cant shake the feeling we are going to be back into restrictions soon, so have tried to pack this week with things we missed in the last few holidays.

They have had a year of quiet walks in the woods. Im sure we'll do a load more of those over winter.

Perhaps if your family quite liked lockdown, the negative connotations didn’t resonate with you?

Is she pushing for you to see her, and perhaps you used the word to show her it’s a definite boundary?

Yanbu, we are having a quiet one too.

It's like if we referred to half term holidays as "mini-expulsion from school".
It's not true, and sounds dramatic and horrible.

Why are you calling it a mini lockdown and not just “having a quiet week” or something? Calling it a mini lockdown sounds a bit smug and like it’s designed to get people’s backs up.

She probably doesn’t get your sense of humour, reading the update.

We’re in a bit of a mini lockdown today as I’m working from home with kids here (couldn’t get holiday club for today, and I only had two days left of leave which I’ve used later in the week). That’s what lockdown was for me and what I didn’t like about it!

But it’s not as big one can go out and about and please herself

I think I learnt early on in parenthood to just get on and do what we - DH and I - think is best for our kids.

Not that I don't listen but do fine people bring their own issues in, don't know our children as well as we do, may misinterpret what's meant and sometimes are just contrary creatures.

Your kids are happy - it's a rational plan - why do you need this friends or MN approval?

@DreamerSeven

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

I would have called it a ‘quiet family half term’ : sounds like a great idea to have a restful week tbh

Of course you do what you think is best. But no need to call it a lockdown, you're just having a quiet half term to.give the kids some down time.

That's a quiet half term at home isn't it? Calling it a lockdown sounds a bit paranoid and odd

That doesn’t sound like a lockdown to me, just normal mid term break. Mid term is a break! It’s for resting, relaxing, decompressing. I don’t know when it became a thing that mid terms had to be filled with family days out and clubs and holidays. Just take the break for what it is- a chance to rest.

Did I miss the memo that half terms have to be filled from sun up to sun down with activities outside the home

I don't even see how this is an issue, do what you suits you. It doesnt matter what your friend thinks but I do agree with others likening it to a lockdown is a bit silly. Have you really never spent time off school just pottering around?

It's foolish to call it a mini lockdown.

I had a quiet weekend where I stayed in and cleaned, watched some films, went for a walk by myself and took it easy. I wouldn't dream of referring to it as a "lockdown weekend".

That’s how lots of people spend their half term.

There's nothing wrong with keeping kids at home for a week. Your friend is being daft.

That's what we are doing! Fed up of the constant bugs and colds since they've been back at school. We are recharging this week. No clubs, no play dates. They can do what they like at home in the garden. We will go to the park. They don't need to be socialising every day or have activities or things to go to. Being alone and learning to relax are also skills needed to be learnt. Mine are allowed to zoom their friends so they aren't disconnected.

You're just being a bit dramatic, and that would raise my eyebrows. You're just staying at home for half term. Hardly a lockdown or worth mentioning to others!

Sounds lovely! Beach trips and wood walks sound great! Much cheaper than doing something big every day too so a win win. I wouldn't call it a mini lockdown, I would just call it a chilled out half term. We are trying to be similar! We went to the beach yesterday, it was still fairly busy not like summer day busy but plenty of room to distance. Staying home today and going to a park early tomorrow before it gets busy - my Ds is autistic too so he doesn't like busy places anyway b

No, it sounds perfect (and right up my street!).

If you try and explain yourself to people you will end up being judged so don't bother.

Have a lovely week!

We all have covid. We are serving an indeterminate prison sentence.

Sounds great, you do you. My neighbours kids are making a pebble snake out in the garden. They have painted and varnished pebbles in all sorts of colours and designs and seen to be having a great time. I bet if you asked them their favourite part they’d say making the snake.

It sounds like you got the attention you sought tbh!