How to tell her Mummy has Corona Virus?

[MargotsMummy]

I have tested positive for Covid 19 and am looking for some advice on what to tell my 2.5YO DD. I picked it up working as a HCA on an NHS Covid ward. I've been in isolation from DH and DD, in a separate room at home since the symptoms first appeared. As I was almost sure the result of yesterdays test would be negative and I'd be out soon, my husband has just been telling her that I'm at work. This afternoon my test results came back positive. I feel like honesty is the best policy but not sure how to say it in a way a 2YO can understand and not get upset by. I just want to explain where I am and why she can't see me for a little while. I have at least another 5 days before I can see her again face to face. I've never been apart from her for more than a few days. Any words of wisdom?

Erm, that you are poorly with insert symptom here and will be keeping away so she doesn't get it? Surely a 2.5 year old won't have a grasp of a coronavirus nor a global pandemic nor respiratory infectuon so you could just... keep it simple?!

Surely at 2 a “Mummy is poorly and is resting to get better” will suffice?

You're not very well and you don't want her to catch your germs.

you're unwell and don't want her to be poorly either?

I'm sure she doesn't need to know beyond that

You're overthinking this. Her dad can tell her mummy is sleeping for a few days as you are unwell. Hope you're better soon.

just keep it simple, "mummy is poorly, and the germs she have could be caught quite easily so mummy is keeping out of everyone's way until she feels better"

Just tell her you're ill. She's two. She won't really understand much more than that. Not sure you need any more detail?

'I'm not very well, so I can't see you for a little while so that you don't catch it'. No need to mention coronavirus or make a big deal of it to her!

My 2.5 year old doesn't know what coronavirus even is. Just tell her you're not well. She doesn't need to know any more than that and I'm sure most children that age don't have the capacity to understand more than that.

There is an episode of Bing where he has a cold and isnt allowed to visit his friend so he doesnt give her the cold. Maybe you could show her that and tell her you are ill and cant see her for a little while so she doesn't get ill too.

Sorry you are unwell, you are way overthinking it though. Your dh can just tell her mummy isn’t well and needs to rest. She is too young to worry.

I'm not sure that you need to avoid seeing her? You all live together so it's likely that she and dh caught it from you before your symptoms presented. Is your dd clinically vulnerable or in a shielded group?

I read an article about mothers testing positive for cv who gave birth and the medical advice was to not distance from the baby or other children.
It is your decision though. I hope you feel better soon, it sounds miserable for you.

What an absolutely bizarre question. It’s pretty straightforward. It would be blooming weird to think there were any other answers available?
Covid does make thinking hard though. So be kind to yourself and rest up. Dh will just tell you are a bit poorly and don’t want her to get it so will see her soon. Talking to her yourself will make it worse tbh. If you let dh get on with it, he’ll be much better able to distract her. Out of sight and not teasing her with reminders will make it easier for him.
Where mummy? Having a rest darling. Bit poorly remember? She’ll be back soon. Want to play with the tea set? Ball in the garden? Shall we go for a walk? Let’s go!

The Bing idea is a really good one. Just tell her you’re ill and need to rest and don’t want to make her unwell.

You and your husband will have to coordinate on this, if you tell her you're going to be unwell for a few days and don't want her to catch it and be ill, and if your husband tells her it won't be long but you have to be sensible and stay away.

Is he leaving meals outside the door? Hope you don't get too bored with cabin fever, the odds are it shouldn't be severe.

You have Corona virus and look child you can see first hand it’s no big deal in someone fit and well. Job done

The Bing episode is on iPlayer - its season 1 episode 14 "Atchoo!"

Get well soon OP.

Just say you are ill and you don't want her to catch it. Unless you do want her to, as she is unlikely at her age to get ill, but will gain immunity and you can keep her home easily sonshe doesn't pass it on.

Just saw you're not well so you need to sleep etc. I have a similar aged child and wouldn't try anything more complex than that.

Why on earth do you need to tell her?? If you tell her mummy has CV this will scare her unnecessarily. She’s 2.5yrs old. Just say you are poorly. Also there is very little point self isolating from her at home, this will just cause her even more distress. It’s highly likely you already exposed her prior to developing symptoms and she will be absolutely fine. I didn’t isolate from my 4 month old or my 4 year old at all and fortunately they had no symptoms. Get well soon.

She will have no clue what coronavirus is. Just say you're ill and have to stay in bed and make sure she doesn't catch your germs.

Get well soon.

What would you usually tell her if you’re unwell?

"Mummy's not feeling well and resting, shall we go to the park?"

You really are over thinking this.

Err... is this a trick question? ‘Mummy is ill so she’s resting’.