Got the dreaded email from school

[Clarabellawilliamson]

Isolation for our 5 year old for 10 days from Friday. Shit. I'm devastated. Not sure why really because we didn't really have big plans anyway, just a coffee in the garden on Xmas day with my parents. I don't know how we will cope without being able to burn off energy outside! Top tips for isolating with little ones please!

You have a garden at least! I’d feel much better if I had one. Day 10 with 2 primary school aged children in the flat with no access to outside space!

No tips! Lots of food, lots of tv time (I tried to show something educational/scientific), PE with Joe (I don’t like him, but children do!), arts and crafts. I’m so tired!

True @Piwlyfbicsly I am counting my blessings for that- we didn't have one for the first lockdown (moved in the summer) and it made things much harder. Enjoy your freedom when it comes!!

Solidarity OP I’m in exactly the same boat

Instigate a rest hour! He is old enough to understand it, saved us through the forest lockdown and will be doing it again in this one!

First*

@Clarabellawilliamson
Congratulations on your new home and good luck with isolation! Will definitely enjoy soon!!

So far I’ve put all the craft stuff out, looks like Christmas exploded in the dining room - two little Ones are in the garden As it’s not cold, just drizzling. Sitting down for a cuppa and contemplating my next move, perhaps baking...

Garden.

We've had 6 weeks this term with 3yo and we did go for isolated walks in places I knew there wouldn't be any other people.

Only 4 days left!

We are in the same boat with 2 self isolating DC although it’s backdated to Wednesday due to last contact so we are free from Boxing Day
So far we had done baking cupcakes, making Christmas decorations, slime making, scavenger hunt, putting items in a pillowcase and guessing what they are without looking, later today we are going to be doing face painting on each other. If it stops raining we can go in the garden. Bored to tears though!!

What helped us is to have done structure to the day. We did the following -
YouTube kids exercise or dance videos to burn off energy.
Some learning. This is anything they’re interested in not necessarily school stuff. Dd learnt facts about tigers and got interested in all the various gemstones.
Some arts, crafts or baking.
Then it was just films or gadgets

Split toys up into separate boxes when they are in bed. Rotate the boxes every few days so that it's interesting.

We bought some cheap colouring books and sticker books as a new item they had that new fascination

"help" with stuff around the house, baking sessions (especially useful for Xmas based bake santa cookies etc)

When all else fails the Disney service - we bought it on the second day of isolation with our toddler!

Basically varying things. We did a afternoon of Fort building!

Thanks everyone, there are some really lovely suggestions here. I think I need to reframe my thinking to 'how lovely to have a snuggly family Christmas at home'. I'm going to bugger the heating bills and keep the house nice and warm and do things like bake, and try not to drink too much festive booze!

Cosmic kids,no noodle, zumba kids- keep them active in living room. I did a structured day- after breakfast into garden for an hour, then snack- play/puzzles etc. Until lunch. After lunch outside again- we have trampoline and swing so always stuff to do but otherwise bubbles, toys in the mud etc. Then another play, then cosmic kids etc before a bit of telly.... and repeat!

I know it's a long shot, but if you have a room that needs decorating let the kids do a xmas mural .

I have older teens, so their efforts are amazing, think Bob Ross, but as someone who was always so precious about my house, it has been very cathartic letting go. DH will sand off in the New Year.

Honestly, if you live anywhere where you can go for a walk without having any sort of prolonged close contact with people then just take them out for a walk. There is literally zero risk if you do this and it's better than them being cooped up for 10 days.

@Passmeabottlemrjones

Honestly, if you live anywhere where you can go for a walk without having any sort of prolonged close contact with people then just take them out for a walk. There is literally zero risk if you do this and it's better than them being cooped up for 10 days.

and you wonder why the virus is spreading. Most parents are doing exactly just that -including when visiting playgrounds etc.

in the same boat her my eldest has to isolate , we are baking , art, games and watching movies plus eating lots

Lots of low input tasks that last ages for example making paper chains, cutting out pictures from Christmas cards, dressing all the dolls etc. Kids seem to love setting stuff up more than actually playing it. Play dough is also a good one for lots of play value. Good luck.

NO!!!! drink allllll the festive booze

Heating on, Christmas TV and snacks galore. There's loads of fun things for kids on YouTube, there's something called cosmic yoga (or something like that) which is really good. You'll probably look back on this as one of your favourite Christmas's in years to come

Same here. 7 year old and 4 year old. The house looks like a box of hot wheels met a box of magic tracks woth some lego mixed in and then exploded...

We were isolating the week before last and we burned a remarkable amount of energy in the garden raking up leaves - bonus that it will be great for our grass (i never normally get round to raking the leaves off the grass).

@museumum

We were isolating the week before last and we burned a remarkable amount of energy in the garden raking up leaves - bonus that it will be great for our grass (i never normally get round to raking the leaves off the grass).

What an excellent idea! I could use this with my 2.5 year old on a standard day! He’d love it!

I’ve had to self isolate with my toddler and all I can send you is a massive hug!

Salt dough is great for Xmas decorations www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-make-salt-dough-recipe. Its just flour, salt and water to make a kind of clay. Shape and bake.
You can also add food dye and have used ordinary poster paint to decorate.