With the current Coronavirus situation escalating the U.K. are now on lockdown. It’s scary, it’s stressful and it’s lonely. Being a single mum is isolating at the best of times, hanging out with a baby/toddler who can’t really chat back about grown up things can make any mama go a bit crazy. We rely, as single parents, on heading out to baby groups and play dates and seeing friends and families but all that has been taken away. It’s scary to think if you get the virus, how are you going to take care of your little ones with no back up?
I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’ve found the past two weeks a bit overwhelming but here’s a few little tips I’ve found to help make lockdown with little ones a little bit easier.
Try and keep some routine/ rhythm to your day
It’s all too easy to wallow in sadness, stay in jammies and watch Disney movies all day but realistically this could go on for weeks. Having some sort of plan for you day will help to put the time in. Don’t force yourself to stick to a strict routine because lets be serious, toddlers don’t tend to stick to plan but getting up and ready for the day like normal and having a few activities planned for throughout the day will help put the time in.
Cut yourself some slack
It’s okay that your house is going to become a little (lot!) untidy over the next while, babies, toddlers and children just seem to breed mess! I swear the second I tidy up some of Theodore’s toys he comes behinds me and makes twice as much mess as there was to start with! An untidy house isn’t going to kill anyone, relax your standards a little to take the pressure off yourself, the housework will always be there when lockdown is eventually over.
Allow yourself some time for self care
The dishes can wait, the living room can be covered in toys a little longer, allow yourself some time in the evenings to relax because boy do you deserve it. Pop on a face mask, have a glass of wine, read a book or watch a show on Netflix, whatever you like to do to relax. You can’t pour from an empty cup and looking after littles singlehandedly is hard work, so reward yourself with a break.
Aim to get some fresh air each day
Whether it’s having a play in the garden or a small walk around the block, getting out and getting some fresh air each day will make all the difference to your mindset and to your little ones energy levels. Sometimes it’s hard to motivate yourself to get out but honestly once you’ve gone you’ll feel so much better for it!
