10 Ways To Virtually Support Your Isolated Parents

With Mother’s Day around the corner, it looks unlikely that we can do our usual Sunday roast at the pub. If they are over 70 and in self isolation (‘self ice skating’ at a 6yr old was over heard at school) how can we support them? I have put together 10 practical ways that you can help them with no physical contact necessary.

1) Set up an online delivery for them. With up to 4 hours queue on Ocado, try the smaller supermarkets. I also recommend leaving the online shopping slots available fro people who CANT get to the supermarket.

2) Investigate local Facebook groups in their area. Are there any pubs doing home delivery?

3) Order some frozen meals from Cook.

4) Ring around their neighbours and ask if they can be an emergency telephone number for your parents should they need it.

5) Get the kids to do a voice or video message or even better set up a video call on Whatssapp (up to 4 people) and have tea together! FaceTime. Give them a lesson on how to use it! (Press the video option rather than the telephone option)

6) Is there a local support network in their village or community? Gather the details and post them. The post office is still running!

7) They need to keep moving. Find them a low level fitness video on YouTube! (Any ideas most welcome)

8) Send them a personalised card. Try moonpig. Send them a gift. It is Mothers Day on Sunday after all!

9) Add them to your Netflix account. (I think this is legal) and set them up with some films or series you think they might like. Or phone them to remind them that there is something on terrestrial they might like.

10) Promote a sense of purpose. Have a plan in place for when this passes. A holiday to talk about, a gathering or a party is a way to keep them focussed on the good things in the future.

Do you have any other ideas? Would love to hear hello@thelondonmummy.com
Lucinda xx