taking out a child with chickenpox (and ideas for entertaining at home)

[pox11919]

Toddler has CP. Not super mild but not severe either. It doesn't seem to be bothering him at all aside from the odd itch so far.

Obviously it's good that so far he's not been bothered by it but at the same time I know he'll be climbing the walls spending a week indoors.

So what's the socially acceptable options with this? (My first DC). Can I take him to feed the ducks away from others? (Obviously not on any play equipment) or on a walk? Live out of the way so easy enough to find somewhere quiet especially mid week. Kids are back at school next week round here.

And any indoor ideas for entertaining him? Dh already been and bought some small fireworks for the garden tomorrow as we'll obviously be missing the local bonfire!

If he's feeling well enough and you can keep him away from anyone else, then going out for walks is fine.

Yes I think it’s fine to take him to feed the ducks.

You could also try a scavenger walk - let’s see how many cats we can see, red doors etc

Have you ever made a fort with blankets with him? I’d also do sone cooking every day.

Craft. Try “painting” with water outside. Collect leaves etc on a walk then stick to paper. Painting
Longer baths than normal where he just gets to play in the bath for a long time. Raid your plastics drawer for some different bath toys.

Hope he gets well soon

You do need to strictly stay away from other people.

Thank you, some great ideas!

I am obviously very glad that he's not unwell with it but at the same time it does make it difficult when he's raring to go still but can't go anywhere!!

Yes of course. And I wouldn't be letting him touch anything used by others either I.e. no going on the swings or anything.

I took my son to an empty playing field with a football when he had chickenpox. Fresh air is good

If you have space, a small toddler slide in the front room or something like a pikler triangle, you can usually get these cheaply second hand (less cheap the triangle, they just cost a lot) and often folding.

Ideas for home:

Making playdough. Simple recipe on bbc website. Fun making it and thenplaying g with it.

Baking is our goto. Make some simple sugar cookies..fun cutting out and making. But then lots of fun decorating too with aome icing and sprinkles.

If you have a garden. Wrao.him up and some normal gardne play. If you don't have a mud kitchen find an old pan or something and an old spoon and let his imagination do thd rest.

Depending on age, at 3 we've discovered snap. Snap cards are cheap and its fun for 30 mins.

If you have any ikea tofast trays fill thdm with old cereal/something else stick a digger and some animals in it.

I also do 'invitations to play' so build something up and put some figures there or shatever. Basimaiing a toy look interesting.

Hunt out some toys you may not have seen for a while if you rotate them. Or even if you don't. Do a toy clear out and you're bound to find something they've forgetten and want to play with.

Set up a sink, stool and some bubbly washing up liquid and some dirty cars/whatever on a tray to 'wash'.

Fiveminutemum has some.simple play ideas too.

You're also getting nearer christmas. Csn always write a letter to father christmas and go post it... thats an hour of the day gone.

When dd had cp we took her for walks in the evening away from others... luckily we found a empty playground so used that once... obviously would have left if any children appeared. As long as you keep away from anyone. Hope little one better soon

I kept DC home with chicken pox. Especially fun when DS and DD1 got them back to back late Nov/early Dec on year.

We used the garden for fresh air, played outdoor games like mini scavenger hunt, can you see/find. Hot chocolate in the garden.

Dmil was really unwell after finally catching chicken pox in her 70’s. Her friend was babysitting grandchild who she knew was infected but still took him along to a walk and coffee with friends as it was fine, he will sleep in his pushchair and everyone will have had it. No mention of it even after the child woke up grizzly in the coffer shop and had been handed around when someone saw a spot on his neck then one on his finger and said it looks a bit like chicken pox - only then did she say oh he’s on day such and such but only a mild dose… look, not a spot on his face!

Just wanted to share one of the best Mom hacks I've ever been told (alongside Calpol syringe to get splinters out) which is to put Head and Shoulders shampoo in the bath when they have chicken pox. It dries the spots right up and helps with the itching. I found it to be much better than calamine lotion, which just made the skin tight and more itchy.

Hope your DC is feeling much better soon.