With six children at home, working remotely and caring for her 70-year-old mother from afar, the next few weeks in isolation will be a challenge for Noelani Hudson.
But it is a challenge the Rotorua mother is ready for if it means keeping Covid-19 away.
"I have already introduced themall to washing the windows, including my baby who is only one," she said. "And they really loved it."
Noelani Hudson's tamariki finding fun in cleaning the windows. Photo / Supplied
It was the family's first day in isolation and Hudson said her children were fascinated by the activity, which has led her to think of other odd jobs around the house that might need doing.
She has even got them involved in making breakfast in the mornings.
"It is the little things you think they might not know but they start to pick it up quickly, so this afternoon we are going to make pancakes."
Hudson's mother lives next door, but due to her age, the family were keeping their distance - while still doing her groceries.
Their playdates are now through the fence where she can watch her grandchildren from afar.
But it was Hudson's 4-year-old that was the most aware of the situation, she said, even questioning whether dropping off the grandmother's groceries at the door was safe enough.
"It is pretty cute, but in the other sense it is pretty serious as well."
Trying to help her children understand what was happening was difficult, but before the lockdown, the kindy had taught her children a song to sing while washing their hands so they were implementing good hygiene.
"I think we just have to take it day by day.
"Some of our families don't get to spend this much time with their families due to work, so it can be a huge adjustment."
For Kelly Albrecht's family, time will be spent together painting a new room, mowing the lawns and spending a day in the garden.
"When you have a family with lots of children. You don't have much time to have individual time with them so our plan is to do whatever they want to do."
It was a matter of doing the things you don't normally have time for with the children, Albrecht said.
Kelly Albrecht's children enjoying their time as a family which will be the case for four weeks or more. Photo / Supplied
Often you do those things as quickly as you could due to normal life-giving time restraints, she said, but she hoped the lockdown was an opportunity to slow down.
"Because we are not going anywhere it doesn't matter if it takes twice as long."
A highlight was watching her children connecting with their classmates through the digital classroom some schools have established.
"There are lots of new things they are learning and its not something you always get to teach your kids so it seems there is a blessing behind all of this as well - its not all doom and gloom."
Five boredom busters:
1. Practice a skill Learn a new song on the guitar, nail a new recipe, finish knitting that scarf
2. Get in the garden Bring your kids into the garden, take out the weeds, clean out the dead leaves or make them into a creative mud pie mess
3. Scavenger hunt Whether it be around the house, or you spot the items on your time outside, start hunting. Or even better, create a mini-putt course through your house with silly odd bits
4. Balcony zumba class Whether it is zumba, a wave, or leaving feijoas in your letterbox for the neighbours - make sure you are connecting with them
5. Create a board game championship Keep the tally and after four weeks see who really is the best at Monopoly. Make sure to celebrate it with a podium and DIY trophies too.
