Life with two kids: Trapped with both of them

[andrewducker]

On Wednesday evening we got a text from the nursery telling us that there was a confirmed case of Covid-19 in Sophia's room. Which means that she (along with all of the carers and children from that room) have to isolate for the next two weeks.

Jane, Gideon, and I only have to isolate if she actually develops symptoms, which seems very unlikely from my understanding. But as she can't leave the house, that means one of us has to be at home with her at all times, so our daily wanders have come to a pause.

I'm not actually that worried, it's just frustrating, and of course while having Sophia at home for four months because nursery was closed merely kept us on our toes, not being able to take her out to run off her energy, while simultaneously not being able to explain it to her, is much harder.

On Thursday night a bunch of local kids (aged 3-6) were playing football in the street. And it's only about a week since she started showing an interest in hanging out in proximity to them. So telling her that she couldn't go out to watch was heartbreaking.

If anyone has any advice, or materials, for explaining this kind of thing to a two year old then please do let me know. I've had a go, but I'm fairly sure it just bounced off. And I'm also pretty sure she doesn't have a good enough grasp of time to understand how long it's going to be.

Comments

[andrewducker]

I'm not sure much can be done except to power through. We've gotten into a bit of a rhythm. The weather isn't helping though - we haven't been able to spend much time in the garden.

[danieldwilliam]

Does she have a good enough concept of time that she can understand and wait for "a few day's time"?

[andrewducker]

Nope. I tried a calendar, but she didn't really understand.
Doesn't help much that she doesn't actually want to go back to nursery, and is actually happy to be at home with her family.

(Although she would like to go for a walk)

[danieldwilliam]

Do you use the concept of "sleeps" for things that are happening in a few days time?

[andrewducker]

Tried that. It seems to lead to her then mostly forgetting that it's happening, and occasionally saying "that thing - is it happening now?"

(Doesn't help that she can't count, of course)

[danieldwilliam]

I think then just focusing on making inside the boundaries of your home as much fun and as comfortable as possible so she want to go out less is the best I can offer you.

Are you about a week in now?

[andrewducker]

Yeah, I think you're right.

And yes, today is day 1 of the second week.