Practical advice how to cope with further restrictions

[Napqueen1234]

Sorry if you’re sick of me I’ve posted before.

We are in a high risk area under local restrictions which aren’t working - levels increasing. Seems safe to say when they introduce these three tiers we will be three (or highest level restrictions).

Does anyone have ideas of things to do with a baby (10 months) and small child (3) both in the week with just baby or on a weekend as a family is everything is closed? Can’t book in swimming, soft play is closed. Soon won’t be able to meet anyone else even outdoors I think. I’m terrified of spending all winter inside as my coping mechanism through PND was always get out and see people as much as possible.

Buy thermals and waterproofs for everyone, go outside every day. A change of scene and fresh air really helps you to stop going mad.

Buy some toys for the children to clamber on at home, like a crawling tunnel, ride ons.

Baking for the older child. Fairy cakes, flapjacks. Get in craft supplies!

Beach ball to help your older one catch, make up throwing and catching games.

Are there any online classes for baby? Not ideal for baby but at least it would give some structure to the week for you

Yes, decent clothing, close study of the sky and weather forecast and aim to get outside every day.

Nothing wrong with 'accidentally' bumping into friends and family in the park etc if you can manage not to hug and kiss everyone.

Keeping apart and good hand hygiene, quite literally hands, face, space is what reduces the spread, not strict adherence to rules that make no sense.

But make sure that you know the actual rules, not all the bonkers over-interpretations on the internet so you don't get yourself in a knot because you were in the park for 68 minutes or whatever.

I think children cope fine, but adults who suffers more. So make sure you find some me time for yourself.

As for children's activity, like pp said, making your house into some interesting place making tunnels and fort etc using cardboard etc. Get a lot of craft activity sets. Go out for walks. get some dvd/videos to watch. Find some sites with resources for children.

Look on maps of the local area (Ordnance Survey layer on bing maps or OS app for about £20 a year) for footpaths, woods etc. Google for country parks etc. Or season tickets for city farms etc. Many will have Halloween, Bonfire, winter, Christmas etc themed events like woodland trails.

I've been walking in the local area pretty much every day since mid March, and I'm still finding new footpaths.

Making plans are always good, you know where you’re at when you make plans, they help to focus and you can share the looking forward with the three year old. So Monday could be water play, so you all get involved in water activities, blowing bubbles, pouring one cup to the other etc. Tuesday could be messy play, Wednesday try new foods play, Thursday out and about animal spotting etc.

Im in an area that would be going into the highest level of restrictions as well. Sadly I think to see people outside out own households we will have to see them outdoors.

There are some good weather radar sites online. Netweather radar is one. They update every 5 minutes, so it's usually possible to see precipitation (rain/ snow) on it's way and to guess how long it will last.

I know winter can be grim but even though cold, it can be bright and sunny sometimes and not too bad if you wrap up warm

I'd say do stuff to make you happy and healthy - eg a workout that 3 yr old can "join in with". Even if you only get ten mins a day.

If you're feeling OK, they will feel OK.

Thermals and waterproof all-in-ones and wellies for the kids and let them crawl around and get muddy if they want.
Large cardboard boxes for indoor den building.
Do you have anyone who can interact with your children on Skype, maybe read the older one stories?
Lots of phoning and Skype/zooming, not just online things where you type.
You will get through it x

I’m terrified of spending all winter inside as my coping mechanism through PND was always get out and see people as much as possible.

So do that. There's zero chance of any rules preventing people from seeing each other at all actually being enforced. I don't know if you're in the same local lockdown area I am, but as a Greater Manchester resident I am not under any delusions that it would even be possible to prevent those who want to see each other discreetly from doing so. The irony is, a ban on outside meeting too would just drive even more socialising indoors.

Den building is good with blankets & sofa cushions. Going out every day whatever the weather

Home orchestra can be fun. Playing music and get your little ones to join in with base drum (saucepan and spoon) etc.

Colouring, painting, model making, stickers, icing biscuits, bath fun, matching games like snap, watching films, teaching them songs.

Video calls with nana, set up a bird table & watch the birds.

Check your council site for on-line games, children's audio books etc.

You'll be fine