Anyone else’s children happier in lockdown?

[Santasunhelpfulhelper]

I don’t feel like I can say anything on all my school WhatsApp groups as everyone else’s children don’t seem to be happy about the schools being closed, but mine are loving not being at school.

They’re eating better, sleeping better, calmer, happier. They’re enjoying the relaxed pace of life. Anyone else enjoying this silver lining?

Oh god yes. Going back is going to be incredibly hard. My dc love school but love being at home more!

My kids love it too OP. A more relaxed pace of life.

Mine are also enjoying it. They are also sleeping a lot better.

Mine are really happy they’re loving the time at home, they do enjoy school also when they’re there I should add

My 7 year old who has autism and learning disabilities is sleeping the best he’s ever slept. School (complex needs school) is a huge source of stress for him. He LOVES being at home. I know it’s not the same for many children with special needs who love routine but I am actually dreading the return to school!

Yes. I’m really surprised! It’s made me reflect on how we spend our time. Normally during school holidays I wouldn’t even consider staying in all day as assume it would be hellish but my kids are enjoying the slower pace and behaviour is better. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t wait to go out but it’s an eye opener!!

DD is an extrovert but is loving it. School is shit for her. She doesn't like her teacher. And she does love her family (mainly the dog).

We do have a good routine and she is learning. I worry about some of her friends with very chaotic lives at home, though.

We have a 16 month old. She’s like a caged puppy, despite spending a lot of time in the garden and a daily walk.

Yeah my 5 year old. Has really struggled in school, outbursts the whole lot. We have had to get the school therapist in, the whole 9 yards. Eventually the therapist decided that it came down to emotional immaturity, basically he wasn't ready for school.

Since the schools closed, he's basically been an angel. Very helpful and polite and just HAPPY!

This has been a bit of good luck for him, no question.

I'm really hoping that when he goes back in September, he'll have grown up enough that he'll be better equipped to handle it.

He's having a delightful time pottering about, he doesn't even really miss his friends that much. He's thriving.

We've noticed this with DS, he seems to really love not being at nursery.

He starts school this year and I really hope the nursery will reopen at some point so we can get him used to being back in a full time setting.

DS1 has autism so is perfectly happy with his own company and extra minecraft time.

Getting him back to normality could be interesting... but it might help flag up that he will need an EHCP to cope with secondary school.

Yes, one much happier at not having to manage friendships, which she found tricky.

The other one - really missing her friends.

My kids are loving every minute! Friends have told me their children are worried or depressed and I haven't seen anything like that in my children.

DD was struggling in Reception, a combination of additional support for her ASD not being adequate as well as her being constantly unwell with reoccurring tonsillitis (probably linked to lack of support making her stressed and run down!). She loves not having to go to school. She does miss her teacher though but was otherwise overwhelmed by the noise and chaos that 30 children bring.

I think mine would be happier if we had a decent garden, were allowed out, able to see friends and go to parks and swimming. But they cant so they're bored and fractious and cooped up.

Yes mine are. Particularly DS2. Although He’s staring secondary school in September with none of his classmates and I’m dreading how hard he will find the change from all this child time. He found primary school social expectations hard as it was. I’m hoping all this relaxation time will get him into a lovely headspace where he’s anxiety free and better able to cope with the changes.

My DC love school but are also loving being at home.

My 6 year old has not complained about tummy ache since the last day of school. Every school morning she would cry she had tummy ache and beg me not to send her. She’d go to school and come home in such a foul mood.

She’s happier, more helpful, doesn’t shout at me or get easily irritated about stuff. She’s been an absolute angel.

I’m dreading her going back.

Yes, my 3DC love it. I don’t know how I’m ever going to be able to get them up ready for school when they reopen!

My DCs are introverts and home bodies. They miss their friends slightly but not too much. They need a lot of downtime which they're getting at the moment!

My middle one (9) is loving it he is quite happy playing with lego & his army set, a bit of reading. He is really a home body. The other 2 not so much.

My DD misses grandparents /playgroups /nursery but loves having her parents home 24/7. We are both WFH full time which has been challenging but she is happy enough.

Think my DS enjoying being at home.

DS2 (10) is loving it! His school haven't set much structured work beyond a weekly maths sheet and a guideline of how long a day should ideally be spent reading, writing, spelling etc. How they choose to do that writing is up to them, 'pick and mix' activities or making their own projects. DS is doing a project about the Tube (big train geek!) researching some of the stations and drawing his own abbreviated tube map.

Lovely to see other children are finding some joy in this situation. It’s really highlighted to me that school doesn’t suit some children at all. DD hasn’t said she feels sick or had a headache since the last day of school.