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Original poster

Anyone else’s children happier in lockdown?

155 replies

Santasunhelpfulhelper · 14/04/2020 15:43

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?

OP posts:

Potterspotter · 14/04/2020 16:32

mine are both happier - if we had a garden, they'd never, ever want to go back!

Spirali · 14/04/2020 16:33

Yes! My 2 year old is loving having her Dad home all the time and since lockdown started we’ve been in the garden all the time.. so she’s not really showing any signs of missing being out and about. We FaceTime family everyday too which she enjoys

BlueJava · 14/04/2020 16:34

One of my DS is loving it, the other not so much!

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MummyJasmin · 14/04/2020 16:35

I've a 2 yo. My husband and I are grateful we've been able to spend more time with him. I feel like we've really seen him grow and develop recently as well.

Ginfordinner · 14/04/2020 16:36

No. DD is an only child and misses her university friends. She is currently sat in the conservatory watching an online lecture.

Beamur · 14/04/2020 16:43

My DD is very happy. She's quite anxious about the virus, but isn't missing school or school friends much. I think she's enjoying having a prolonged period of time to recharge and relax.

Bookrat · 14/04/2020 16:49

Mixed bag here. Two of my DDs are autistic. Studying from home they are happier and relaxed. Middle daughter will miss her A'levels and end of school rituals, she is a bit sad and rudderless.

Punxsutawney · 14/04/2020 16:49

Ds is 15 and was diagnosed with ASD last year. He is in year 11 and has been terribly stressed for months with school and exam anxiety.

He says he likes lockdown. He is less anxious although he is isolating himself away in his room and is very rigid about how much time he spends out of it.

Even if schools go back this academic year he won't because he is year 11. So it will definitely be September for him. I'm concerned though about how anxious he will be going back to sixth form after six months off school. He hasn't decided if he will be returning to his school or moving to another school he has applied for.

He has been very isolated for years and unfortunately will continue to be isolated once the majority return back to some kind of normality.

Casino218 · 14/04/2020 16:51

My daughter is happier and much less stressed.

CarolineIngalls · 14/04/2020 16:52

All three of mine love it - especially the 3 year old. The teens are turning into vampires, up all night, never see sun, but they are happy vampires. They are all introverted. I am not, I am the only restless person in my house. I wish they could donate their one outside exercise to me.

I have become lazy pandemic mom. Today I wanted them to go for a walk, they didn't want to so I caved. I wanted the 3 year old to eat the table, she didn't want to, so I caved.

Lazy pandemic mom is going to have a hard time when this is over. But at the moment we're a very happy pandemic household.

Casino218 · 14/04/2020 16:52

DD is 14 with a big friendship group but she's still happier.

BiarritzCrackers · 14/04/2020 16:57

DS10 loves it. He enjoys being out and doing stuff, but is equally happy lolling and lazing, so it's suited him very well so far. He gets on with his lego projects, chats with friends online, stays up late, extra gaming and telly time, and we do stuff together like baking, gardening, board games and walks.

Luckystar1 · 14/04/2020 17:00

Yes my DS is 5 and is in P1 (equivalent to reception but we are in NI). He had been absolutely loving being at home. DD is 3 and nothing has really changed for her, except she has less 1:1 time with me which she struggled with initially.

I am also enjoying it I must admit. No stressing about how he’s doing at school (he really struggled to settle in, and constantly complains about one boy in particular), not having to race to all the extra curricular stuff. I think I’ll struggle once school starts back, never mind them!!

HoldMyLobster · 14/04/2020 17:01

My 14 yo who has ADD and slow processing issues has scored straight As since they switched to online schooling - for some reason it's really suiting him.

I'm wondering what we can learn from this to apply to regular school. I wonder if part of it is that he has to actually concentrate during class and has no one to chat to.

Other than that he's actually quite an extrovert and misses his friends.

fizzandchips · 14/04/2020 17:05

My teenage daughter has had a really awful time with friendships recently. Suffice to say she’s been miserable; made much worse by seeing her “friends” together on social media whilst purposefully leaving her out. It’s been heartbreaking to watch. School have been very supportive, but the bullying has been very subtle yet insidious.
My usually cheerful, outgoing teen became withdrawn and tetchy.
Lockdown is the best thing that could ever have happened for her. It’s been like a mental health break for her. The others can’t get together and leave her out. No one is on holidays or at events that we can’t afford. Everyone is at home with their parents and siblings and my daughter hasn’t been this relaxed or happy for at least a year.

MinnieMountain · 14/04/2020 17:10

6yo DS really enjoys being at home. It helps that MIL, who gets on very well with, has moved in for the duration.

I did worry that he'd miss his friends as he's an only child but he's not bothered.

Firecarrier · 14/04/2020 17:19

Yes! And so are we. I would have absolutely loved it as a child too!

Womenwotlunch · 14/04/2020 17:20

I am surprised at how much my three are enjoying being at home.
My dd2 is an extrovert with many friends. However, she is loving the lockdown and seems to be quite happy

Littlefish · 14/04/2020 17:23

15 year old Dd is probably autistic (just started the assessment process).

She has been so much calmer since this all started. She doesn't have to mask all the time like she does at school. She doesn't have to spend time with people who are generally unkind to her.

It's really helping her to recognise who her real friends are.

I would really like her to stay off school for the whole summer term!

Gammeldragz · 14/04/2020 17:26

Yes! Mine are 10,12 and 13. I was worried about DS1 as he has depression and had started self harming (once, barely), was having counselling at school and waiting for proper Camhs counselling. I expected him to be really down without his GF and friends. He's loving it!
All eating better and sleeping better, as others said.
I suppose I just don't notice in the school holidays because that's normal, I mean this is no longer than summer holidays so far so not that crazy really.

Gammeldragz · 14/04/2020 17:28

My DD(10) is quite extroverted with friends but quiet otherwise and nor ethan happy to have her cats for company, she can chat to friends through video chat or online messaging and is more than happy to bot go anywhere.
We aren't a particularly social family and they all have only one activity a week outside of school (their choice). No one has said they miss anything yet...

Gammeldragz · 14/04/2020 17:29

*more than happy, not nor ethan, obvs

EmeraldShamrock · 14/04/2020 17:29

Yes enjoying it to much. I'm worried how they'll adapt to school and outdoors again. DD is a hermit at the best of times, this is her happy place.

oldwhyno · 14/04/2020 17:30

yes to an extent, but there are many other things they're NOT loving about lockdown. They desperately want to just go swimming and have a Maccy D's! They'll understand they can't have their cake and eat it.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 14/04/2020 17:30

Yes my teen's autistic and has just pointed out that she hasn't had a panic attack in weeks.

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