The 'Positive Mental Health' Corona virus thread Part III

[DaffodilThatch]

Think would be good to keep this thread going! Will link to the previous threads in a bit.

@tobee the postie will sign for her - they're no longer passing the pads to people, but if she opens the door/waves through the window there should be no bother

Thought you all might like this, in the newspaper today,

Sir, Deprived of physical contact with our grandchildren, most of whom live abroad and being unable to travel to see them, my sisters and I decided to set up an online “Grandma School” to help to deal with the school closures in their area. We put together lessons around our special areas of interest (I’m a retired geography teacher, one sister is an interior designer and the other a photographer) and connect every day for a Zoom conference with the whole group. We prepare worksheets and homework and email everything over to our families. This has proved to be a wonderful way to keep up the connections with our grandchildren in a fun and constructive manner and give our frazzled children, at home 24 hours a day with all their children, an hour off, which they truly appreciate. If school closures happen in the UK it might be an idea to adopt here.

I'm glad my name made some of you smile!

Just got back from a lovely breezy walk with one of the dogs (We can easily get to good walking country without encountering anybody else) - the other one has arthritis in his elbows and can only manage a short stroll. I have one of those Chuck-it things, and I channel all my frustration with the situation into it - I'm quite proud of how far the ball is going at the moment!

I keep terrifying myself looking at all the other threads in this section then come back here to reclaim my sanity .. my anxiety has gone through the roof in the last few days . My dd is ten in April .. we’ve accepted that her birthday is going to be somewhat different this year and I could use some ideas on how to still make it a special day

I'm find the thread on pp with symptoms oddly reassuring (most seem to be mild, and very similar) however trying to stay away from any of the "How dare you!" type threads or anything too obsessive as they make me feel worse.

@spacecadetagain a lot of restaurants in our area are doing take-out at a discount - maybe get her favourite food in, play some music, have a little indoor party?

spacecadet what does your dd enjoy maybe we can come up with some ideas for her birthday if it does have to be at home? Maybe do her an afternoon tea, you can make a cake for her (if you're into baking!) have a special movie and snacks night (about the only thing in supermarkets at the moment is treat food like chocolate!!)

My dc are handling things very well, my dd has had many things she was excited about cancelled but after the initial disappointment she has moved on and been positive - I need to learn from her!!

@chocolatesaltyballs22 unfortunately we live in what could be termed “the arse end of nowhere” 😂 so as I speak all the pubs and cafes in our village are sadly closing their doors ..,we live in a tourist area so it will hit hard .her birthday is over Easter and our original plan was to travel to visit DM in N Wales but that’s obviously not happening now . She goes to a tiny village school so last year we had a party with most of the school there (30) and I’m kind of glad we did that now but we are assuming even having a friend round would not be happening now ?

@foxessocks She recently got the all clear after recovering from a benign bone tumour in her leg . She’d been banned from any physical activity for two years and had it operated on in the autumn and now has titanium rods in and a bone graft so it feels like a real blow as I’d promised we were going trampoline and days out she couldn’t do before .. it’s a bit sad ..she’s still unicorn obsessed so I’m going to try and get everything together to make a cake at least but I hadn’t bought her presents yet and now feel a bit anxious about making the trip half an hour away into town so am going to try and order online I think . Good to hear your dcs are coping well at least . My 15 year old isn’t coping well but DD seems more upset about plans not going ahead which I’m a way is a blessing that she’s not worried about anything else

Ah that's a shame. No I wouldn't be having a friend of hers round unfortunately if I were you, maybe put that on hold for a bit.

Maybe plan a much bigger party for later in the year? Obviously with the caveat that you don't know exactly when that will be!

@HonestlyItsFine yes I told her we would have a belated party later in the year if it’s possible . We have a little party shop in the village and they are now offering to do balloon bouquet deliveries so I’m hoping that I can organise that at least if they are still open .

Ah I see, that's a shame, yes order presents online and maybe give her a great big IOU for lots of days outs to come! My kids are younger so I don't think they have the same worries really.

Morning all. Thanks to whoever alerted me to Frozen II on Prime (tiaramanager?) - I was considering buying it for something to do this weekend!

I have kids birthdays to think about too - one 8 and one 4 in April. Not sure yet what to do - can still do cake and presents and balloon and speak to friends and family on Skype, but one had been hoping for burger and cinema with 5 friends and the other a big party with nursery class... all I can think is to take a cake and nice stuff picnic out to somewhere fun and differnet to run around... and promise parties later on of course.

‘Homeschool’ went better this morning - we mostly played monopoly to practise calculating change and rent and so on.

Just back from a run through the woods. The coffee shop was virtually deserted, as you’d expect (I just popped in to use the loo), but the trails had plenty of people, walking, cycling and gasping for breath because they chose a completely unsuitable, far too warm top (alright, that last one was just me). Everyone maintaining a safe distance, but getting outdoors and getting a good dose of fresh air and chlorophyll. The birds were singing and the squirrels were squirrelling, and I got temporarily mislaid and saw a part of the forest I hadn’t seen before - I’ve been going there for years so seeing a new angle was both slightly disorientating and a bit exciting!

🌳🌲🌿

For those with Health Anxiety and symptoms - I do this too - mostly at the moment I am waking in the night and in my half awake state I tune in to something wrong with my body and the panic builds.

However, I’m doing pretty well in the day - I’m using a technique from a book I’m reading which suggested trying to separate out your anxiety inner voice from your logical voice, and giving your anxiety a name, so whenever you observe it you can think, “oh that’s just Jessamyn going bonkers again, what do I rationally think about this” etc. Sounds crazy but working for me. I’ll try and paste actual book bit later so it makes more sense.

Also agree with distraction. I always feel better outside too, so step out and just breathe a bit when totally overwhelmed.

Also, the village church has just posted that they are making up craft bags and will be leaving them outside houses where they know children live, which is so kind. I know this is a worrying time, but I think we can all take heart from some of the kindness being shown.

Sounds nice Spudlet. I love squirrels. Here is a little spring nature video for everyone.

@foxessocks yes the IOU is going to be huge ! 😂

@Callybrid apparently NT properties are opening their grounds for free obviously indoors and cafes etc will be shut but if weather is nice that could be something to do 😊

Unfortunately, having slept the best I've done in a while last night, ds tells me one of his shared house at university mates is symptomatic and he's got to self isolate for 14 days

Found this article which is reassuring from a GP who has had CV: www.pulsetoday.co.uk/views/blogs/as-a-gp-whos-overcome-coronavirus-heres-what-i-want-you-to-know/20040354.article

Urgh tobee, that is horrible. Does that mean you also have to SI for 14 days?

CaveMum it's very reassuring to hear all these cases.

I haven't caught up here yet but am very glad of a supportive space.

Have started a thread in the CV topic on food that I'm hoping can be a constructive/calmer one for meal ideas (in times where it is harder to buy some items) and tips to reduce food waste. If it's useful to anyone. So far a few replies are in the right spirit.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3852448-making-food-last-longer-cutting-waste