Four year old DD - self isolation harder than lockdown

[Rainallnight]

DD is four, and starred Reception in September. There’s a Covid case in her bubble so she and her classmates all have to self isolate.

She seems to just be heartbroken about it. Finding it really tough not going out.

The thing is, we muddled through the first lockdown ok and she didn’t particularly seem to mind. Of course, she wasn’t in school then, but I think the big difference this time is that a lot is continuing as normal around her. She can see other kids going to school, DS is going to childcare etc. She would normally be absolutely thrilled to have time on her own at home with me, but she’s just miserable.

Has anyone else found this with self isolating DC?

Yup. Its why Id rather schools had better systems/part time if necessary so there would be less need for isolations.

I think there’d be less likelihood of being off of the bubble wasn’t so massive.

Any tips of helping DD get through this much appreciated!

Or helping me through it

Yeah I found this with my 5yo. Its horrible keeping them completely shut in. All I can say is take it one day at a time, or even one hour at a time. Some days when I was trying to rock the 8 week old to sleep while on a homeschooling live lesson I had to take it a minute at a time 😂🙈

No tips but I can offer a bit of solidarity- I'm stuck in with my 5 yo at the minute. My other kidshave had to isolate (he's the last one that's had to) and they weren't too bad, but this one is struggling. I know a few people whose kids have had to isolate, returned to school for a couple of days and then had another case so had to isolate again. I'm very worried about that happening!

Anyway it's shit and really fucking hard work keeping a kid stuck in doors for two weeks, so go easy on yourself .

I genuinely think it’s barbaric for young children. They can’t comprehend why & if they are anything like my kid, need to burn off their energy with some time outside every day. That’s why schools have breaks outdoors! It’s not easy on older kids either but can understand & also entertain themselves much more easily. And yes, it’s ‘just’ two weeks but as PP, this can happen multiple times & is doing. I’m hoping with rapid, mass testing we can start to avoid all this in schools..

@Rainallnight it's just awful. On our second two week block here. DD (9) is ok in the first week but it descends from there as the lack of fresh air and time with friends kicks in. She absolutely raged at me yesterday when we were homeschooling. I'm trying to work too. I am dreading today.

I know that's not a helpful post but I do sympathise.

Oh God, I hadn’t thought about this happening again. Am I thick or in denial?

This is going to sound weird.... but I bought dd an advent calendar so she count down, let her open 2 each day. Seemed to cheer her up

Xmas craft! Make paper chains; snowflakes; drawings. Go mad with glitter! Can she write her name yet? Get her to sign your Xmas cards. Any free leaflets from shops? Get he to cut out pictures (with safe paper scissors) to them glue on to paper to make a collage. Can you get her to help with housework? Such as pair socks? This is more fun / challenging with a variety of patterned etc.

And, yeah, if it’s an area with high cases it might happen again as soon as she is back...

You’re a genius

Totally sympathise. On day 12 of 14 with 4yo here and it’s utter torture and seems so unhealthy for her. There have been good days and bad days though, and she’s has said she’s glad for the extra time together so I wish you some good bits too. Go easy on yourselves.

Advent calendar is a fab idea- just wait and no doubt there will be isolation countdown calendars hitting a shop near you very soon!

Fwiw it’s ridiculous frankly that siblings can continue as normal and family too so I wasn’t strict with this type of isolation. No school or shops but still had outdoor time and playing outdoors etc and walks

Can you take her to a woodlands or somewhere open and quiet for a walk. It will do NO harm. She probably doesn't even have the virus anyway and 2 weeks is far too long for a child to be stuck indoors.

The lockdown calendar idea is genius @PrivateD00r - you need to market it!

Oh! And salt dough - the type you bake for hours on a low heat then can paint it. Make some tree decorations. (I know my suggestions have all been terrible if you hate craft.)

Completely sympathise with you OP, I'm on day 10 of 13 with 4 year old DD, counting down the hours til Saturday when we are free!!
Luckily she's been amazing through it all bar a couple of (understandable) melt downs.

My advice is, no matter the weather, as soon as she started to get antsy, I go out in the (postage stamp) garden, and run, or jump at least 25 times. I don't always even battle with a coat and shoes as my only rule is that she has to do the minimum, but mostly she ends up staying out longer so I make her put them on! She often comes in soaked, and filthy and the grass is turning to mud, but it's a price I'm willing to pay to get through it and changing clothes isn't that bad.
I just keep repeating a mucky child is a happy child 😂 (not trying to convince myself at all! No!)

Yes, I said this in September when DC1 was isolating after contact at school. It is much harder than the original lockdown because you can't go out for a walk or anywhere. I now have DC2, who is in year 1 off after a positive case somehow closed 2 bubbles at the same time, and it is harder because we can't even go out in the garden much as it is freezing cold and pouring with rain and she misses school and her friends. Having only 1 DC off at a time makes it easier to teach without having to split myself in 2, but harder for me to take a moment's break as DC2 won't do anything without me right next to her.

I hear you @badlydrawnbear. It sucks although teaching one (whilst still trying to work) is hard it's easier than two.

We had the same the first time we isolated. Positive case wasn't even in DD's class. We followed the rules but it is even more frustrating in those circumstances

Massive sympathies - I had 6yr old isolating due to a case in her bubble, then 4yr old got a case in his bubble on her day 12. Back to back isolations for me (single parent). It's been a million times harder than the initial lockdown ever was. Not going out for a walk has been so so difficult.

@Rainallnight

Oh God, I hadn’t thought about this happening again. Am I thick or in denial?

Friends children are on their fourth time since September. Goodness knows what January will be like.