Sarah and her family caught COVID-19 this winter
Don’t try and work through – I tried to do this at the very beginning and it soon became unmanageable. I had sick children who needed their Mum and a partner who needed help, so I had to make the decision that work had to come second.
Get outside and go for a daily walk, it doesn’t have to be strenuous (and it probably shouldn’t be – take it easy!). Fresh air is good, the children get to expend a bit of energy and it makes the days go a little quicker.
Some boredom busters we tried with my 4-year-old were: Puzzles, baking cupcakes, writing letters to family members. We also received a lovely ‘care package’ from my sister that had lots of things for him to do in it to keep him busy – it was really appreciated!
Take the time to talk to your children about what’s going on. It can be scary for them, so explaining that you are here to look after them, talking about what the symptoms are and how they’re feeling, as well as talking about what isolation means (what the family can and can’t do) means there is less of the ‘unknown’.
Caring for young children while you’re sick yourself is one of the hardest thing you’ll do as a parent – don’t underestimate that. Take it easy, don’t beat yourself up if you rely on screens and serve up baked beans on toast for dinner 3 nights in a row (there is nothing wrong with baked beans, they are easy and nutritious!)
Don’t go back to work too early – ease back in if you can, work from home for a bit if you can.