Day 7 isolation...this is what may help

[wecandothispeeps]

I am on day 7, and I am not going to lie, it has been tough but really not impossible. I have a vulnerable child, so we have been asked to completely isolate to keep her safe. I am fortunate to have a garden, I know many don't, but I thought I could share with you what I have learnt this week.

Things that really helped:

Getting showered and dressed every morning into something nice (no joggers or lounge wear it makes you feel ill) every morning up nice and early at your normal waking time, taking time to do things like shave legs and using good moisturisers (for once) so that you at least feel in a good place at the beginning of the day. Make up on every day if you normally wear it, hair brushed ready for the day

Food is prepped in the morning for the day whilst I still have energy and will. As the day wears on things get harder. Think newborn baby stage.

Children work better in the morning if they are of school age, the afternoon they tend to lose the will and motivation. Get them up also at the latest 8.15am, and get the beds made, breakfast done, proper clothes on. They need to stay mentally healthy and solid good routines really do help.

Be prepared for the meltdowns and arguments, and be much kinder to them when it happens. I have hugged rather than shouted, and shown kindness when they have flipped. This is hard for everyone.

We play heart FM all the time, the upbeat music really helps, and we are singing ALOT and dancing, and hugging. Everyone is up and down, so if your children are feeling tearful adjust to something more soothing. I have also spa music playing in the evenings on a loop, it definitely works, try it.

Every day we are outside for a while, when I failed to do this on two days they were pretty feral by 6pm. Outside for fresh air if you have the choice, for as long as possible. Your garden is your friend.

Make a timetable, of crafts, movie time, school work etc. I am not going to give you a list, but let your children design it and then they invested.

I have started planning things for the future when this is over, summer outfits, holidays I hope I will take, BBQs and friends I have missed more than anything.

I speak to friends or message them every day, this is cheered me up on end. If you don't have friends, then come online for support.

Things I can not recommend:

News channels make you feel much worse, I don't need to know this is rubbish on a loop because I am already living the dream.
Radio stations with people calling in endlessly
Corona anything is banned and I watch the news once a day, it raises my heart beat instantly
Eating junk food
Not getting dressed
Giving in too early, we have to play the long game
Not tidying the house, keep on top of the housework, even if everything is hitting the fan at least you can marvel at your clean surfaces.

I am taking breaks from everyone at certain times of the day, so I have the emotional reserves when they do need me. Early nights because I feel constantly tired.

I have had two wobbles (I have very good MH) because everything felt so out of kilter mid week. It felt almost surreal, like I was in some kind of hunger games movie feeling. It was horrible, but it did pass. Be prepared for to feel wobbly at times and take yourself off to the bath or watch a light box set that takes you away from the discomfort.

One day real life will return with bells on, focus on how great that will feel. Good luck peeps, we can do this!

PS Sorry for long msg :)

Good post. Second all of that. Especially rationing news / social media.

Good luck. We've found that baking really helps - lots of squidgy, sticky, messy stuff and then something to eat at the end of it.

Yes who doesn't like sugar in a crisis! :)
I should have added to my list that letting a few things go, is also going to be essential, keeping the house pristine is not going to happen, but focus on one room where it is calm and tidy is perhaps more realistic.

Are you isolating Andy? Please continue to add because I am sure we can all do with some good ideas.

If I had to listen to heart FM all day I'd stringing someone up, I prefer radio 4, I don't find the news anxiety inducing, I find trying to bury my head much worse. I've also enjoyed living in leggings, t shirts and no make up for a week! There's no rule, you do you, others will do what suits them

Excellent advice. We are a couple of days behind you. Take care. x

As I say Josh these things helped me with two children to consider, and for keeping things upbeat radio 4 apart from women's hours is unlikely to help your children feel more jolly :) I too used to listen to R4 much of the time, but have switched now because my children prefer to dance in the kitchen, and quite frankly this is more uplifting than anything else we have done to date!!

Thanks sick sun is forecast for most of the country next week, this will help us all no end.

Keep safe everyone

Love this post! Thank you so much! Xx

We're on day 8 and so far doing pretty much the opposite to you

DS gets in bed with me in the morning and we lounge about for an hour or 2 chatting and play fighting. Only got dressed a couple of times, pjs are comfier even in the garden.
No timetables or trying to fill every hour of the day just taking it easy and going with the flow
DS has to do an hour school work a day, up to him when he does it. Email from the school said they will be setting work to do but don't stress, it won't be marked, it's just to keep the kids hand in (Y6)

DS has ADHD so he is constantly moving and talking so he struggles with a strict routine. The ability to get up and move when he feels like it instead of having to contain his energy til a set time has actually been good for him

Day 11 of dh iso and me low anything. Tech I am not in iso but am vulnerable. Did had home for 5 days. We can currently still work did will have work from mon. We have not seen a lot of change other than less outside time. Have plans to grow veg with dad helping. She has baked watched films with some media studies work out of that plus some French I set her. So not a lot but I know will ramp up next week when school online hits. They are even sending pe classes.... We have good neighbours and had some window to garden chats which is nice. We are also dog walking but we are very rural. I have still been working we are self employed, but also managed to fit some sewing in. So we will have a new lap quilt for the sofa soon. We did have a brexit food cupboard and also I had 24hrs notice of iso very early on as dh travelled home so did a big shop and booked 2 online del. last one today, although not sure what we will get. No more slots but dh out of iso true so no biggie. Positive mental attitude helps as does having a laugh and daft convos and watching tv etc. We none of us have symptoms and I put this down to having to iso early

Thank you theresALight Are you doing this already or just about to?

Day 8 - congratulations firstly pyjama!!!! :)

Yes and it is all about doing what works for you. I have older dc, and one younger so we have to keep going, one has GCSEs next year, so we absolutely can not just do one hour a day, younger children can abandon school work altogether or just do what suits them. My dc found the routine of school work incredibly reassuring, and the a routine has been helpful for my ADHD dd who really struggles with her emotions when things abruptly change, but as you say being free to move at will has also been an added bonus, and she is happiest when she is able to move when she needs to.

There is no right or wrong way, and I am grateful that you have posted your ideas - they will help others in the same position.

We are keeping mornings in bed with the children and sleepovers together for the weekend as we would normally do, but we are definitely having more fun than usual, because in all of this stress, the silver lining is having more time to be able to play with dc and not having a ton of obligations.

I'm taking a break from make up so that this break can be a 'retreat' for my skin, but am using my nice moisturiser.

Much more exercise.

I might get the kids to make and keep a vase of flowers going, so pick fresh ones each day, remove old ones etc.

Great post, OP. I'm not self-isolating but work is closed and I'm at home. I'll be following your advice.

Thank you

rb The on line schooling really helps, because it takes the pressure off us. I have no idea where to start providing material every day. You will find this really helpful. It is great they are even doing PE lessons with the children. They def need to move. I need to move! Feeling more like a couch potato every day thinking about doing one of those you tube classes tomorrow to try and shift the pounds. I would be delighted if at the end of this we ended up fitter, maybe wishful thinking.

We are rural too, so used to it being quieter. It makes shopping for food more involved, and I have to plan carefully, to be honest I have to do that anyway (small shop is three miles away, big supermarket is a 15 min drive) Positive mental attitude is key as you say. I am over the initial panic, at the acceptance stage now, what comes next?

catting after three weeks of sleepless nights I am not sure I can even do a skin free day, I have the most awful bags atm, but it is such a good idea!

We can turn this time into whatever we want, so maybe now is the time to start exercising every day, do that meditation session, or clear our skin. Declutter the house, have a BBQ. I have mourned my old life for one week now, but now I have definitely moved into the next stage which is improving on what I can do. I am sure there are stages to this experience, that we will all go through at different times, but ultimately we will collectively experience it.

I LOVE the flowers idea, I am definitely pinching that one! We need things that will brighten the inside more than the outside right now.

Thank you for your post

We’re only on day 5 so far but we absolutely need a sanity walk everyday! Early morning or late at night we go to the conservation area behind our house, DD5 takes her bike or scooter and I just walk. Haven’t came across anyone else yet except in the distance and if we did, I’d about turn.

I’m not so strict on times so some days we’ve been up early and some days late. Ditto bedtime. We’ve painted my bedroom and dds is being done next. I don’t have to work constantly so I do it when she’s in bed, or she watches her iPad beside me, or plays with play dough, drawing, painting etc.

We have some dumbbells, a weighted hula hoop, skipping ropes etc so I’m going to set up an assault course in the postage stamp garden tomorrow. We’re getting married next year and I was doing well at the gym before all this so want to keep going.

DP works with gas services in London so his work are still as busy as ever. We won’t see him for a while 😔 but we still have daily video calls, sometimes more.

One good thing is spending lots of time just chatting with DD. Daily life is normally so busy we don’t get the chance to just sit and chat, colour, do jigsaws etc. So I’m enjoying that bit at least!

Also avoiding news except bojo press conference daily.

Keep calm and carry on, as they say.

I’m just beginning my 12 weeks of social distancing as I’m 30 weeks pregnant. My 4 year old is having his last day at pre school today and then will be staying home with me. I’m a nurse, all my friends are nurses so I won’t be having any contact with them. My family don’t live near and my parents are 70 so will be keeping away from them as well.

So I love this post. I agree it’s so important to get up and going in the morning, it would be easy to slip into a habit of staying in pyjamas and watching tv but that’s not going to help either of us. I’m planning on doing our music group session on a Monday at home which has been cancelled, and then planning an activity every day, and either garden or a walk out avoiding the public as much as possible.

I’m so grateful for Facetime, that will get me through on the tougher days. A structured day is what is going to help and most importantly to stay safe and keep others safe too. Just wish everyone would follow the advice x

What a great post OP, thank you and well done.

Day 4 here.
The kids are happier with the windows open - so open they are from about 8 til 4 or 5 in the evening. And we get out into the garden every day too.
I've chilled on screen time. It's not the end of the world if they gave more than I'd like.
DH and I get dressed. Kids are staying in PJs all day.
We are doing maths, English and something every day. It's not taking up masses of time. We are playing in the garden, doing household chores together (its quicker on my own!!), playing games, and yes retreating into books or screen time.

I'm working from home. In the office we usually have 'dress down friday' where we wear jeans etc. As I've been in my jeans all week I put a suit on today. Posted a pic on the work group chat and got a great reaction. They want to see me in drag next Friday!

yaba By day 5 you are really understanding the meaning of 12 weeks plus when they say how long it is going to last!! Do you find that?
After feeling I just couldn't do it, and a rising panic of what felt like endless time ahead, I decided just to take one day at a time. At least it is spring and we will be going into summer months (we are going to have the best tans ever!) and I don't need to worry about what I will do in May or June, I just need to make today as happy as possible, and keep it together.

My Chinese friend said hold your children tightly, make the most of every minute and she is right, that piece of advice really resonated me.

You will be super fit for your wedding at least, as you can work out every single day now :)

Emma Feeling for you and your medical friends, you are all on the front line and must be mentally preparing for the worst. At least now you are in isolation, you will be safe, and hopefully this will all be over by the time your baby is here. Do you have any neighbours to chat to at a distance? I am just getting to know mine, we have lived here for 7 years!!!! I am ashamed beyond a cheery hello that I did not know how interesting and nice they were to now

There is going to be many good things that come out of this I feel, its not all going to be awful (even though much of it will be)

Water thank you everyone will have their own ideas for their own lives, and will know how to manage, I have just made so many mistakes the first few days that I thought it might be nice to share. Like the night I spent watching the news for four solid horrifying hours in the middle of the night, or the rainy day I thought we could skip the walk - wrong!

kitten opening every window is something I have been doing too, not only because it is spring but because it makes us all feel better. If we watching more tv/reading/screen time then so be it, it won't hurt anyone. There will be many days when we won't have the energy to do anything more, and maybe we should just go with the flow.

Best post I've seen in ages, OP ! Thanks x

We are on day 2 of 14 as DH and DD are both ill with all the symptoms (DH ill enough for bed, DD not). Have 3 DCs 14,13 an 11 who will be set school work from next week but have been home since yesterday.

We are still trying to find our routine, I'm also finding it hard how much of me they want/need (help with google classroom, food etc etc) - along with trying to keep the house going and work full time. I'm the only one of my colleagues with kids at home, and so I'm finding I'm having to excuse the interruptions etc even though my Boss and team fully realise I'm at home with them (and our physical office is shut so couldn't be in if I wanted to).

Our garden isn't big enough to play in but I'm taking the DS' who aren't ill for walks in open space daily just for our own MH - I checked and it's OK. The boys do have asthma though so I'm dreading them coming down with it, DH and DD are wheezy/struggling to breathe as it is and neither of them is asthmatic

I need to sort out/plain daily food in the morning so we are eking supplies out for as long as possible

Excellent post. We're on day 6 of complete lockdown in northern Spain. Cant go out at all unless straight to food shop or pharmacy. No waking etc. We're retired, so used to being at home but it's so hard not seeing friends etc. The house is spick and span, all the little jobs done etc. I'm now rationing my knitting as my hands are sore. We holiday a lot, but that wont be happening and we cant even go on our own beach. We're both trying hard to look on the bright side, whatever that is.