Hotel Family Quarantine: “We Are Stronger Than We Think, Especially My Kids”

Spending 14 days quarantined in a hotel room isn’t easy for anyone. For those with kids, it’s even more stressful to be spending so much time in a confined space. But, at least for now, that’s the reality for any foreign family returning to Beijing.

Beijing mom, Mimmie, shares her experience of not only spending 14 days in quarantine with her kids Clara (age 9), Molly (age 10), and Dennis (age 7), but also celebrating her daughter’s birthday in the confines of a hotel room. If there’s one thing for the kids to look forward to after leaving the hotel, it’s going home and seeing their dog Cooper again.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your family.

We are a family of five from Sweden. We have lived in Beijing for four years, thanks to my husband Jonas’ work at Scania. Before China, we lived in Sweden for two years, and the US for three years.

Where did you guys fly back from and what prompted your family to return to Beijing?

We flew in from Thailand. We were there for eight weeks, due to the Coronavirus situation in China.
As the situation in Thailand was getting more critical each day, we decided to return to China on March 28, but all flights were full that day so we had to leave on March 26. Knowing what we know now, that borders would close, we were very lucky to get on the 26th flight.

How many days have you been in quarantine (at time of interview)?

We got here on the 26th, so this is our fifth day, nine to go!

What’s an average day like for your family right now?

We eat breakfast, try to do some e-learning but the WiFi is very poor, so we can’t access everything we need, nor can we watch the instruction videos. Then we eat lunch, we play cards, watch movies, paint, and make up games. Then it’s dinner time, and then we shower and put on music and dance and sing loud. Our favorites right now are all the Coronavirus covers. Night time is the best time of the day when we can cross out one more day.

Is it better or worse than what you had expected?

We were expecting to do our quarantine at home, due to the children. In that perspective, it is worse, but the hotel is nice and clean. It opened just a few months ago. We have two connecting rooms and two bathrooms, big TVs with some Western channels, and food is getting better every day. The first few days were only Chinese food, but now they are bringing us a bigger variety of food. Today, we had mushroom soup, pasta bolognese, and fruit.

Your daughter Clara is celebrating her 9th birthday soon. How did she take the news that she’ll be spending her birthday in quarantine?

Clara was bummed when she realized her birthday will be in the hotel, but I brought balloons and decorations. I have tried to order a cake, we will see if it gets here, and perhaps we arrange a Zoom party for her (if we can get the WiFi to work).

What has been the most difficult thing for you during this time?

I think it has been most difficult for my husband Jonas, as he is not with us and he worries about us. He is supporting us as much as he can, and still has multiple people involved trying to get us a home quarantine. With help from someone he knows in Zhengzhou he managed for us to receive a big care package with drinks, fruits, and snacks.

What has been the biggest challenge for your family in quarantine?

The biggest challenge is that we can’t open any windows, so no fresh air for 14 days. The air conditioner is turned off so the germs can’t spread between the rooms, so on sunny days, it gets very hot in the room.

Another challenge is that the kids are unable to play and move around as they are used to. Clara has ADHD, so for her, this situation is extra challenging, as it is very important for her to be able to move a lot so she can focus and sleep well.

What are you looking forward to the most after you leave the hotel?

My husband, our dog, and fresh air!!! Also friends, wine and a visit to the hairdresser.

Are there any unexpected lessons you’ve learned during this time?

That we are stronger than we think, especially my kids. They have been so good with the whole situation. They are the ones keeping me strong, and when I break into tears they are telling me that everything will be fine. I am sorry for the kids having to quarantine in a hotel, but I am happy I have them here with me, as the days pass more quickly.

For families in a similar situation, do you have any hacks to make quarantine fun?

If you know you are going into quarantine, prepare and pack well. Tons of snacks, food, games, balls, toys, pens, and essentials, knife and fork, detergents, scissors, extensions cords, multiple chargers. If possible, your own WiFi device.

Once you are in quarantine, make a schedule each day so kids know what will happen, and what to look forward to. I have removed some of the rules we have at home, as nagging in a small place gets old very quickly.

Photos: Courtesy of Mimmie