How I plan to survive coronavirus self isolation with children

A week ago I really wasn’t too worried about the coronavirus. As this week has gone on though I have got more and more worried. Working in the early year sector my week has been taken up by putting together documents to ensure everywhere is cleaned multiple time a day . What staff can do if we have to close and contingency plans.

It’s really been a full on week . I know it’s going to be like this for a few weeks. By which time I will need a holiday or even just a break . A darkened room by myself is pretty appealing at the moment.

One of the main thing that’s staring to worry me is what the hell am I going to do with the children . I could be at home with them for 14 days ! Now that’s a lot . My two get real cabin fever if they are in the house for more than 2 days straight let alone 14 days!

So I thought maybe it’s time I put a plan in place of things we can do if this does happen . Make sure I have things in the house to occupy them buy all the craft and baking bits now . As I know I will be thanking myself later on.

Working in a nursery I know that children love a routine. They like to know what’s going to happen next . So as sad as it sounds I would like to continue to have a routine like they do at nursery at home. So my day would go a bit like this

• 7.00-9.00 – breakfast and free play
• 9.00-9.30- turn the telly off and sing some song and read some books together.
• 9-30-10.30- activity ( I will share some with you later on in the post)
• 10.30-11.00- snack ( get the children involved in the prep.
• 11.00-12.00 – playing in the garden
• 12.00-12.30-lunch

I would then repeat the same structure in the afternoon . Along with Alby having a sleep around 1.00. During this time Ava would have some free time on the tablet.

I like to think that having a routine would not only help them it would also help me. My mind would be busy . I would be thinking of the next things were going to do . Not sitting on the sofa loosing the will as I have had to shout please share at them for the 100th time.

Some of the activities I would be thinking of doing with them would be

• Crafts around a theme so animals , cars, unicorns.
• Gardening – planting their seeds in the vegetable patch.
• Water play
• Messy play – shaving foam, gloup etc
• Cooking
• Listening walks in the garden
• Loose parts play – so letting them explore everyday objects
• Treasure hunt around the house
• Make a role play area – hairdressers , doctors
• Den building
• Movie time
• Bubble play
• Make a bubble snake maker

So there’s a just a few ideas . My kids are 2 and 4 so there is a limit to what I can do . Tobyandroo have a fab post with lots of ideas for children older than mine. Including lots of websites you can use for educational activities. I have also seen that twinkl are offering a months free subscription just use the code UKTWINKLHELPS which could come in handy . Just remember you will need a printer to print things off so maybe worth doing some now in preparation.

It’s not going to be all fun and games I know . It’s going to be really hard but I think having a structure to your day will make it easier . The days won’t drag out too much and hopefully the kids will be entertained.

I am really lucky that there would be two of us in the house to occupy the kids . We can share the activities between the two of us . Also my work are really understanding so I can do my job from home. I would just spread it out over the week meaning I could still be paid and not loosing out on money.

What plans have you got for it you have to self isolate due to coronavirus with your children?