Realistic shopping

[IronNeonClasp]

Single mum of 2 work full time kids juniors.

Thankfully I have a good flexible job and can WfH. IF we have to be home realistically should I buy long life milk and shit? I have some frozen stuff and veg, pasta, basic crap. My house is too tiny to bulk up but what do people think is realistic?

I've bought flu meds from Poundland etc. Should I be buying 6 4 pinters and freezing them down? 🤷‍♀️

I think you need to be prepared for at least two weeks isolation.

While the "get people to shop for you " idea might seem like a fix-all solution, it isn't.
Jack Monroe's Tin Can Cook has some good ideas - Corned beef chilli recipe in that is really nice (tried it out and got asked to make it again. So I did.)
If yet another cookbook isn't for you, her website has some free recipes. cookingonabootstrap.com/

No suggestion that power and utilities would go out but there is only so much room in anyone's freezer. Save that space for crowd pleasers like chips and chicken nuggets (maybe that's just us). Get tinned veggies to save space in the freezer.
And breakfast stuff - pancake mix is a good one.

But even in Italy where the country is in lockdown, shops are still open and people are still able to do their grocery shopping (with queues, I know).

Am I missing something or being too blasé about it all? Do we really need to stock up on two weeks worth of food?

@theneverendinglaundry

No. But it would be sensible to do so, if you can.

Iron if tomorrow you start w a high temperature and a cough, what is your plan?

I'm in Italy and I currently have enough to stay in for a week - at a push two weeks if I can get the DC to eat some weird food combinations. I have an online shopping order set to be delivered next week - if it doesn't get cancelled! I don't really want to go out unless absolutely necessary so bought a few extra bags of pasta, frozen veg, UHT milk but not excessive amounts.

I haven't stockpiled anything. None of the four of us are in an at risk group and I don't want to contribute to the panic buying and make things more difficult for genuinely vulnerable people.

I have a baby who is breastfed. If she were formula fed I would possibly buy an extra tub of formula. I would also buy calpol if I didn't already have any in the cupboard (but I do).

Other than that if we are quarantined I just plan on eating whatever we have in stock until we can go out again, and getting friends/family to drop food on our doorstep if needed. Seems a bit controversial on mumsnet but I'm happy with that approach.

I've bought a couple of extra calpols and we probably have enough food for about 10 days. I'm starting to think I should probably have 2 weeks worth of everything, so will be going to a supermarket at some point today for a few extras. Including tinned soup, lucozade and tissues in case we do get ill. On pay day I always buy enough nappies/wipes/cleaning products for a month anyway, so have plenty of those.

What I'm most worried about at the moment is how to care for our 3 and 1 year olds if both DH and I get sick. I had flu when my eldest was 18 months and it was a total fucking nightmare. I've never been so sick and tired in all my life.

Wow - genuine thanks for not calling me out for panicking. Staying jovial and optimistic.

@EmotionalEllie I wish I could still breastfeed !

Will pop into town later

Maybe imagine if you were poorly. What could your children manage to eat? I’d buy some easy things like crackers; bread sticks; oat bars as well as your usual food. Also, maybe look at having some drawing paper / puzzle books etc. Think about the boredom factor!

Have people not considered using Wiltshire Farm Foods. Meals delivered to your door ready made up and frozen? We use them a lot.

I have stocked up in case of shortages, in case we get ill, in case we are quarantined. My freezer is full, I have bought loads of toiletries, tinned goods, dried goods, and yes even toilet roll. I am trying to get as organised as I can really. I am very scared, I have underlying health problems and am trying to avoid the news atm. I am also worried for my family too.

I totally get why those with health conditions are preparing so that you wont need to leave the house, if necessary.

We are all low risk. I think on payday I may consider getting a few more basics than usual, until then I cant really afford to buy more than we need.

Does your freezer have all that space?

Just get enough basic food for two weeks (bearing in mind mild to moderate flu doesn’t go hand in hand with big appetite and exotic tastes) and some paracetamol for you and children

Nothing excessive. Just two weeks

I’m in same boat as you - like parent with two juniors and that’s what I’ve done and feel fine about any prospect of 2 weeks quarantine

Key for me is children comfortable if feel poorly