Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Surely young children should not be isolating in their rooms with covid?

159 replies

CA0932017 · 17/01/2022 19:41

I get that all families are in different situations and many teens would be happy to isolate in their room for days. But young kids? surely it's too young?

There's been an outbreak in both DC's class. There are class group chats and Facebook groups etc and I'm amazed how many people are saying they are isolating their 6/7 year olds in their rooms. Also in ds's son at 10, I feel is too young still.

We all had covid last month. Dp first then all
of us next. We didn't isolate away from each other. Our house is too small, we have one bathroom. Kids have sen, it wouldn't be an option for mine. They don't leave my side. They weren't overly poorly either.

I feel sad for kids that are expected to stay in their room for 10 days? I don't think I would cope in my room for 10 days, let alone a child.

One poor kid has done a full 10 days in his room according to his mum.

I'm not sure what the point of this post is. Nothing to do with me and people can make their own choices but I feel so sad for them.

I was asked by test and trace which room my kids were in when we had it and they seemed relieved when I said in the same room as me.

It just feels sad when covid is mild in most people!

To add, Dd has tested positive again. I just couldn't imagine making her stay in one room!

[Title edited by MNHQ at OP's request]

OP posts:
Original poster
CA0932017 · 17/01/2022 19:41

Shouldn't **

OP posts:
becca3210 · 17/01/2022 19:43

I agree. I wouldn't make my young child stay in a room by themselves.

Comedycook · 17/01/2022 19:44

Agree. I would never do that to my DC.

minipie · 17/01/2022 19:44

My guess is that people are saying they are doing this so that there is less chance of criticism for the rest of the family going out and about.

Hopefully nobody is actually doing this to a child Sad

BrambleRoses · 17/01/2022 19:45

I find it rather horrible to do to any family member, I must admit.

I suppose it is just about understandable if there is someone with cancer or similar in the same household, but I do think it is awful and really quite abusive.

Original poster
CA0932017 · 17/01/2022 19:46

A friend was appalled because I wasn't isolating them away to stop the spread too. Made me feel like it was guidance that had to be followed. It's recommend positive adults isolate but not necessary or do-able in many cases!

OP posts:
RedCandyApple · 17/01/2022 19:46

Yes I am on a Facebook page and people have mentioned that they do it I find it very odd

HeadToToesNo · 17/01/2022 19:47

Not a chance, when my two young children had it we all isolated together, I think it's beyond cruel to trap a young child in a room like that.

Exhausteddog · 17/01/2022 19:47

Agree. My DS had just turned 12 when he got it and he didn't want to stay in his room. None of us caught it from him. I definitely wouldn't have insisted on it, and think it would be really mean to do that to younger kids (very possibly unless there were very vulnerable people living in the house or other extenuating circumstances ) DD (15) might have isolated in her room but she , DH and I all had it at the same time so there was no need.

Northsoutheastwest76 · 17/01/2022 19:48

My dd1 would happily stay in her room but she is 17. My younger SEN kids are huggers so no they won't be isolating. They may not hug their Dad as immunosupressed though.

Original poster
CA0932017 · 17/01/2022 19:48

@BrambleRoses

I find it rather horrible to do to any family member, I must admit.

I suppose it is just about understandable if there is someone with cancer or similar in the same household, but I do think it is awful and really quite abusive.

I think if there was someone vulnerable, it would change things for sure. But in the instances I know of, it's just because the parents don't want to catch it. None of us want covid but I'd risk us all catching it over isolating us all away!
OP posts:
Original poster
CA0932017 · 17/01/2022 19:49

@Northsoutheastwest76

My dd1 would happily stay in her room but she is 17. My younger SEN kids are huggers so no they won't be isolating. They may not hug their Dad as immunosupressed though.
If this happened when I was 17, I probably would have been cool with it too to be honest 😅 left alone without younger siblings bugging me would have been bliss in my house growing up!
OP posts:
Suzi888 · 17/01/2022 19:49

Not a cats chance is hell would I stay away from my DD. Is she was vulnerable and I had it then I would stay away, but it would break my heart.

pumpkinpie01 · 17/01/2022 19:50

No chance would I do that to my 8 ds

SpinningTheSeedsOfLove · 17/01/2022 19:52

No way would I isolate a younger child for days on end.

I'd be cleaning the house a lot more, Dettol spraying the pants out of it, getting hands washed regularly and opening windows a lot. But we'd have to still function as a family. The young DC would need more love and comfort than ever, surely?

MakkaPakkas · 17/01/2022 19:53

Madness! Or more likely lies.

Original poster
CA0932017 · 17/01/2022 19:53

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels like this. I was almost questioning myself! If our kids had some like noro or a normal cold we wouldn't would we? - I now covid is serious but for us it's been very mild!

Questioning myself as Dd has tested positive again with new symptoms - one month after we all had it last time! Hopefully we won't all get it this time but no way I'm putting my 6 year old in her room for potentially 10 days! I even 5 days wouldn't be right to me!

OP posts:
Original poster
CA0932017 · 17/01/2022 19:54

Know *

OP posts:
lemonadesoda · 17/01/2022 19:57

My DD isolated when she had it, but she's 17, and even then, I was very clear to her that if she was struggling being alone she was to come out and join us. As it happens, with the TV, her phone, her ipad, no chores and food delivered to her bedroom door, she was having a great time!

Caspianberg · 17/01/2022 19:58

I guess it’s about reducing the chances. Not isolation 24/7 for children. But if an 8 year old is watching film in own room v on sofa next to siblings then it will mean less chance of everyone else catching. Even if they are in contact around house as 5 min contact v 2hr contact makes a difference

Original poster
CA0932017 · 17/01/2022 19:59

@lemonadesoda

My DD isolated when she had it, but she's 17, and even then, I was very clear to her that if she was struggling being alone she was to come out and join us. As it happens, with the TV, her phone, her ipad, no chores and food delivered to her bedroom door, she was having a great time!
I can imagine at that age it's probably enjoyable 😅 I would go stir crazy as an adult only because I would be constantly thinking about how messy my house is getting without me doing it all!!
OP posts:
Original poster
CA0932017 · 17/01/2022 20:03

@Caspianberg

I guess it’s about reducing the chances. Not isolation 24/7 for children. But if an 8 year old is watching film in own room v on sofa next to siblings then it will mean less chance of everyone else catching. Even if they are in contact around house as 5 min contact v 2hr contact makes a difference
I'm not against children watching a film in their room and spending time in it whilst poorly. That's totally fine. My issue is kids doing the full 10 day isolation in their room. I couldn't cope with it myself. It's probably because my kids have sen too, they can't manage 10 minutes alone in their room 🤯 I can't even wee in peace without them following me 🤦‍♀️
OP posts:
FflosFfantastig · 17/01/2022 20:12

I agree, no way would I keep my 6 yo in their room. People are taking things to the extremes.

charliebear78 · 17/01/2022 20:15

We have all had it and none of us isolated(two children 7 and 14)from each other.
I go into peoples homes for work and I know that a lot of these did isolate from others in the family, the youngest being 13, I highly doubt it is really possible to make children under 10 do this, and I do not think anyone should. (personally do not see the need and think life should just return to normal now anyway-especially as the majority if folk have had it-some twice!)

mummywithtwokidsplusdog · 17/01/2022 20:17

I think until you are in the situation it’s difficult to know how you would respond. When my child (12) got it they did isolate because my husband is vulnerable health wise. I sat at their door and chatted with mask on etc it was horrible and went against every bone in my body but we couldn’t do anything else. Our house is too small to have separate areas. It was an awful time- really stressful. Only plus side was none of us caught it.