to think that this is really sad for the young children?

[PrettyLittleLiar20]

I’ve got a young child who is so so bored at home. Constantly asks if we can go to the playground. I say no the playground is closed. Can we go to the beach mummy? No because we’re not allowed. Mummy can we go to McDonald’s? No because it’s closed. I’m just so so sad for my DD and im constantly feeling bad because she doesn’t understand any of this.

[Candyfloss99]

It's no more sad for the young children than it is for anyone else. Especially frontline workers who may die because of their job.

[AnneLovesGilbert]

It’s sad for everyone. Especially those at higher risk of dying if they catch it, which thankfully most children are not.

[Doyoumind]

Little ones are quite resilient and probably won't remember that much about it down the line. Just try to make things as exciting and interesting as possible at home to keep her busy and don't worry too much about the effect on her as it will be over eventually.

[Nishky]

No. Young children will get over it.

[thedocisin]

I feel exactly like this. DD desperately wants to get back to normality. She misses friends family and her normal routines. At 3 she is still too young to understand why. She likely won't get the chance to say goodbye to all her nursery friends or keyworker all the people who have been a big part of her life before starting school. Also feeling sorry for my 1 year old - all baby classes baby sensory etc all been moved online and suddenly screen time is being promoted as the next best thing.

[CheshireDing]

Sorry but I don’t mean to be horrid but you need to look on the positive side when you answer them then.

‘No the playground isn’t open because of cv but it will be soon what would you like to do instead?’

I have 3 young children at home, honestly they are not sad (and they know their Dad is dealing with potentially very ill people), we are looking at the positives and of spending more time together

It is what it is unfortunately.

[coffeeandcreamer]

Won't somebody think of the children!

[Mlou32]

I think there are kids experiencing worse situations in the world than not getting to go to the park or get a happy meal.

[Lennonmc]

I have one young child, the other is older, they have been so much happier with less rushing about, more attention and they are starting to finally entertain themselves (pottering in the garden, insect finding etc) I’ll be sad when we have to go back to all the rushing about. AND I’m enjoying the help with the housework!!

[formerbabe]

I agree with you op...but I doubt many others will. Apparently if you're not dying, then stop complaining.

My dc have missed many things...my dd has missed her first camping trip, her school residential. She misses her school friends like mad. She has sn and is missing her therapy appointments too.

[WeAllHaveWings]

Stop saying no and start saying, let's paint, let's do something in the garden, let's make a den, there are thousands of things they can do in doors and young children are easily distracted.

[TeaSoakedDisasterMagnet]

What’s more sad for them is when their parent or grandparent or even their siblings die, from a virus.

They will learn to live with it the same way countless young children got through the sadness of world wars or famine.

[justanotherneighinparadise]

Honestly you need to get a grip. Our kids are EXTREMELY lucky and depending on how you handle this time it could actually be looked back at fondly.

[ARoseInHarlem]

It’s sad for everyone. Young children are probably the least disadvantaged by it, on the whole (with due respect and thought to those young children who are truly suffering because of the virus or its consequences). In fact, many will learn new things. Like how to deal with being bored for a long time.

Done right, under normal circumstances, childhood shouldn’t be an uninterrupted series of pleasures and getting to do good stuff. That’s my opinion.

[user1473878824]

If only someone would organise some sort of hand-banging event that no one wants to participate in.

[Starlightstarbright1]

In reality no . You have to put more effort into been at home in reality all these piles of toys done work , create adventures, spark imagination, messy play. I put in there if you are wfh much harder to do that and work.

[PrettyLittleLiar20]

I know @formerbabe it’s always a case if there are worst people out there. Yes I do know that there nurses working there butts off to save people and sadly there are people dieing but that still doesn’t stop me feeling bad for my child who doesn’t understand. We do painting daily, play dough daily, role play daily, garden play daily, but it gets repetitive and small children don’t understand why we can’t go to their friends house which we used to do weekly. Children don’t understand why the park has been closed everyday for the last week. It’s puzzling for them and it doesn’t make me a bad perosn to think of my child for a small minute and it doesn’t make me heartless because I’m not talking about the nhs workers 24/7.

[Marcipex]

Teach her to skip
Draw hopscotch on paving in chalk
A chalk snake to balance along
Flowerpot stilts
Improvise an obstacle course

[Pelleas]

It's sad for all of us.

[HoffiCoffi13]

I have three young children. I’m sad for everything they’re missing, but actually in the long run they’re going to be the ones least affected I think. If they remember anything, it will be that they spent a lot of time at home with mummy.
My 6 year old is struggling a bit as she’s very ‘aware’... she’s developed eczema from all the hand washing and she’s waking upset in the night when she hasn’t woken in the night since she was 2.
My 4 year old misses her friends and school a lot.
My 1 year old is pretty oblivious but is missing out on important socialisation.
But they’re safe at home with their family. It could be a lot worse.

[ghostyslovesheets]

yeah it's sad but you have the power to turn this into an adventure and make it less scary and sad - that's what us parents can do..

it's not just little kids - all children and young people are missing out - out on exams, proms, dates, seeing friends, birthdays, weddings, school trips - it's just the way life is at the moment - so distract them and make nice plans for when this is all over - because it will be over - reassure them of that

[DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult]

I am in lockdown with 7 dc at the moment.

We are focussing on what we can do rather than what we can't.

We are treating it like an adventure, and I'm just really happy that we are all safe and well here rather than sad they are missing out on chips and going to the beach.

This isnt sad at all. This is essential. Your dc will follow your mood and feelings about this so you need to flip it around.

There are loads of sites with activities to do at home, and you can make up your own games too, we have had loads of fun with just paper and pens. Time to get creative if things are getting repetitive op.

[Jellycatspyjamas]

Also feeling sorry for my 1 year old - all baby classes baby sensory etc all been moved online and suddenly screen time is being promoted as the next best thing.

Your one year old will have no memory whatsoever of not doing baby sensory or other baby classes - nor will their development be impaired in any way.

[formerbabe]

There's some horrible replies on this thread. Socialization is really important for children...even if you don't think its that bad a situation for children, why speak in such a vile way about them?