Across the world right now, millions of people with weakened immune systems are in self-isolation to protect themselves from the coronavirus outbreak. While quarantine is the best way to prevent the spread of the virus, it’s definitely not easy — especially when you have young children.
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Parents around the world are facing new challenges while they navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the majority of schools and child care centers closed, many parents are figuring out how to keep their children safe, healthy, and happy at home.
The disruption in routine can be scary for some kids.
Many kids miss their friends and teachers from school. It can be difficult for children to understand why we all suddenly have to stay inside.
Any parent knows that keeping a toddler inside all day long is a recipe for disaster.
Many kids thrive on being outdoors, having social interaction, and moving around. However, with the state of the world and the virus, sometimes this just isn’t in the cards for many families.
It’s no secret that, like adults, kids get cabin fever.
Not only do they want to go outside, they want to run around and be in the sun. It’s hard when you have a family or parents with compromised immune systems who cannot risk that challenge.
One mom is struggling with just that.
Lauren McCabe, 26, is a mom in the U.K. She has asthma and a low immune system after catching shingles, and has been in quarantine with her two-year-old son, Leo.
She and her son live in the upper unit of an apartment.
While being inside with your toddler is tough, having neighbors who are rude is even worse.
McCabe received a note pushed through her front door from her neighbors in the lower unit urging her to “reduce the running around.”
This referred to her two-year-old son who was playing in the morning.
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The neighbors said the noise woke them up.
“Can we please ask that you try and reduce the running around as this is really loud. Especially early in the mornings where it wakes us up most days. Thanks in advance,” the note said .
McCabe admitted that, at first, the note made her cry.
Can you imagine having to stay inside at all times to keep yourself safe, but also find ways to entertain your two-year-old toddler 24/7? It’s a lot of stress.
Instead of confronting them, McCabe decided to write back in her “son’s voice.”
She wrote :
“I no longer go to nursery or get to see the people I’m used to spending time with. My mummy isn’t very well, she said we have to stay home ’til she is better.”
She continued to let them know this is a hard time for everyone, especially kids.
“My mummy doesn’t want me to feel anxious or upset with these changes to my normal routine,” the note said.
The note outlined some of the ways this mom and son spend their days self-isolating.
“So she’s finding ways for me to feel happy, like running around my living room, dancing in my living room, playing with my favorite toys in my living room,” the note went on to say.
And, she even said sorry.
“I’m sorry you’re finding this hard. I just want my mummy to be better and things to be normal.”
Before we do things, let’s try and practice kindness first.
Be kind because everyone is fighting a battle we don’t know about— sure, the two-year-old may run around early, but be knowledgable that people may be going through some things right now.
