Maggie, from Largs, sent in this great idea. Let’s take a look at it…

What did you do?

We joined in with the bear hunt for local kids by setting up our two very large teddies outside. They get up to all sorts and now have a large following both young and old all over the world.

It’s hard work, if you’ve ever done elf on the shelf I’m sure you’ll understand. I don’t buy or make props I just think of what I have lying around and use it, it’s caused a few sleepless nights not knowing what I’m doing the next day.

Every single, smile and lovely comment is worth every second and more plus my kids just LOVE it.

Do you have any other projects planned?

This project will continue until phase 3 begins and I can go back to work. They have recently got married and just had a baby so I now have three bears until then. There’s plans to release a photo book to raise money for charity when I stop and possibly a calendar soon as so many people keep asking me to make them.

Tell the Housebound With Kids community a bit about yourself…

My name’s Maggie. I’m 38 yrs old and married to Callum (38) our daughters Amiya (5) and Niamh (2) have bonded really well during lockdown which I’ll be ever thankful for. We live in a seaside town called Largs in the west of Scotland.

I’m a driving instructor and my husband a machine operator. We are both self employed and work stopped abruptly the moment lockdown was announced. We normally lead a very fast pace of life so really taken the time to appreciate staying at home, spending quality time with the kids and getting jobs done that would’ve taken years. Callum has just started back working basic hours and I’m enjoying getting to finally visit some friends and family with the girls.

How are you finding being housebound so far?

It’s been stressful and also wonderful. I’m so happy they are young enough to still want to be around me but also that they have bonded well enough to play with each other. We don’t set alarms or make plans we just see how things go and try and make each day different. I feel keeping busy makes the time pass faster but trying to stick to plans and routine just stresses you out when it doesn’t happen the way you wanted it to.

Do you have any tips for other parents?

You do you and I’ll do me. If none of you get washed or dressed in 3 days that’s ok. If you need to get up at 6am and have everyone washed and dressed by 6.45am to keep sane, that’s fine. As long as you and yours are fed, watered and happy then don’t worry about the outside world just yet, we will all need time to adjust when it reopens.

Has being part of our community helped you?

It’s just so nice to see other people in the same situation as you and to take ideas from other families to fill another day.