How families can deal with enforced home isolation on Government Advice

Rachel Spencer Robb is a partner and head of LCF Law's Family Law team. She has almost 20 years' experience dealing exclusively with family law issues.

These are difficult times for us all - never before in peacetime have we seen such restrictions placed upon the freedoms we take for granted. Most families are now all under one roof, with very limited ability to go anywhere but for essential shopping and emergencies.

Whole families are trying to work and study together and, whether you live in a spacious house with gardens, or a small flat or house, these situations challenge us all. Many of us fear for our jobs and incomes and ability to feed or look after our families, including possibly elderly relatives or those with special health needs, whilst juggling everything else.

This will pass.

For those whose relationships are, or have been strained for some time, these are particularly difficult times. The advice is to focus on the basic needs of your family and the most vulnerable in your community. Offer or accept help if needed with shopping or just keeping the chat going on-line with our family, friends and loved ones to keep your mind from dwelling on the negatives. If relations are very strained now might be time to agree a truce for the sake of the children and/or keeping mentally and physically well. Draw up rotas for shopping, home schooling, getting out for exercise to keep busy. Maintain routines as far as possible. This crisis will pass.

In the meantime, remember all the examples of strangers showing kindness to others. Join in, and encourage others to do so.

Supporting you.

Whilst most businesses have closed their doors, our family lawyers are still here at the end of the phone to listen and advice, if you need it. If you have any relationship issues at all, or just need to talk something through call Rachel Spencer Robb on 01423 501122