We’ve been in self-isolation since Wednesday (when I found out that a friend maybe has Coronavirus), and my daughter Dot and I are watching perhaps too much Toy Story. I may never get “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” out of my head. I’ve read that fresh air is still recommended, so I’ve been taking Dot to a wide open field to run around. We’re keeping six feet away from everyone else and she gets to run off her energy.

We went to the same field yesterday, and it turns out that Dot’s coat fell out of the car. I was delighted to see that someone had hung it up on a branch to keep it safe. I am grateful for that stranger’s small kindness.

Image description: a pink coat hangs from a branch.

Having a toddler is the ultimate test of social isolation, especially when it comes to my toddler, who loves to touch everything. Don’t chase those ducks! Don’t pick up duck poop! Don’t put that stick in your mouth! Don’t put that duck poop in your mouth! Stay away from those cars! 

Still, it was lovely to walk in the sunshine with the toddler, who is so interested in small things: the ice patterns on the mud, the colours on the ducks in the pond, the softness of moss, the roughness of bark. 

Image description: A toy T-rex sits on top of a pyramid of green disposable cups.

Towards the end of the day, we’ve had to get creative about how to entertain each other. We painted, drew pictures, sang Old MacDonald, watched Big Hero 6, and spent 20 minutes putting Rex on top of cups and knocking him down. It has been a long day, but we’re lucky that we feel well, so we have the problem of having too much energy.