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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:
EmeraldShamrock · 15/04/2020 16:46

There was nothing I liked more than shutting myself in my room with my toys (mainly playmobile) and I disliked having to go round to friends houses
Did you find it harder to make friendships or enjoy outdoor activities as an adult.
I worry for my DD as she hates going out.

Desmondo2016 · 15/04/2020 16:48

Yeah we are all happier to be honest. Having said that we are both still going out to work but even so, we are definitely loving our downtime more.

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 15/04/2020 16:55

@emerald I wouldn't say I'm particularly outgoing as an adult but I do have friends and I also love being outdoors so I guess I turned out ok Smile

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
Unknown2020 · 15/04/2020 17:03

Yep! My DS (5) found school very difficult so he is loving the more relaxed lifestyle of being at home all the time. Like me he could happily just potter about the house and garden without interacting with anyone!

disorganisedsecretsquirrel · 15/04/2020 18:06

My 18yr old loves it... and so does my 24yr old . (Saves £480 a month WFH !!) so wants it to continue until show has saved deposit for own home !

EmeraldShamrock · 15/04/2020 20:01

@thatmustbenigelwiththebrie Smile

Ginfordinner · 15/04/2020 20:17

I feel that this thread doesn't have a balance of answers. It seems to have attracted the parents of children who find school challenging, and mainly parents of younger children.

On the higher education threads you will find a completely different set of answers. Returning students who have just gained their independence and freedom, who have made a raft of new friends and enjoying a great social life are really struggling with the constraints of the lockdown. They are also struggling to be motivated to revise for online exams, hand in assignments etc.

dyscalculicgal96 · 15/04/2020 20:17

We are a full time homeschooling family. I personally love it. All three DC do some schoolwork with me each day mostly in the mornings. They really love it when I bring home pine cones for them to decorate. I teach all three kids. One of them does a worksheet each day or plays math games on the computer as well. The other has a literacy lesson focused on grammar, reading, spelling exercises etc. We are planning to do art this weekend.
For subjects like art, music, geography, science and history, we watch videos, have discussions, do experiments etc. I like to take note of their interests. In geography now we are working on a map. In the weekly history lesson, we are doing a project on the history of books. Art mainly consists of skill development. I do a lot of drawing etc.

IndecentFeminist · 15/04/2020 20:20

Mine are infinitely more relaxed at times like this. They both love school, and have lots of friends that they miss, but they get on much better together when they're at home more. Like they're back on the same team. We used to home educate so this was our norm, and while I love that they are enjoying their lovely school and the freedom that in turn affords me, I have missed the dynamic that we had.

VenusClapTrap · 15/04/2020 20:20

@Ginfordinner I was thinking that too. Most kids I know can’t wait to get back to school and their friends. I’ve found the responses on here very surprising. There seem to be an alarming number of children with anxiety issues.

IndecentFeminist · 15/04/2020 20:24

Mine will be thrilled to go back to school. But they're very happy to be off as well, and the dynamic in the home is much easier.

ChandlerIsTheBestFriend · 15/04/2020 20:28

I feel that this thread doesn't have a balance of answers. It seems to have attracted the parents of children who find school challenging, and mainly parents of younger children.

It’s because of the question in the title.

It’s says “Anyone else’s children happier in lockdown?”

People who’s children are happier will say “ooh yes- that’s me!” and they’ll post, and people whose children aren’t happier will think “oh that’s not a thread for me” and wont post.

If the thread title said “are your Dc more happy or less happy in lockdown?” There’d be a better balance of responses.

There seem to be an alarming number of children with anxiety issues.

Yes there are. Very sad really that the world/life we have created makes such anxious children. Shutting down normal life brings them back to happy children. There’s a strong message in that.

Nettleskeins · 15/04/2020 20:52

My three loved school/university, but now seem very chilled and relaxed, and getting on a lot better. Sometimes house seems too small for us all, but they seem not to mind the physical limitations. One walk a day seems enough.

AnnaFiveTowns · 15/04/2020 21:03

My dc are both happier at home. Ds is just playing football and on his xbox and dd doing art and just doing nothing. It's made me realise how tired I've been and I think it's the same for them. It's so nice to just do nothing. To be honest, I'm dreading this ending.

JustaScratch · 15/04/2020 21:07

My 6yo is enjoying her virtual classes but missing her friends. The main thing however is that usually I travel a lot for work and she is LOVING having me at home for the last month. It's incredibly sweet and just a little heartbreaking.

Ginfordinner · 15/04/2020 21:09

People who’s children are happier will say “ooh yes- that’s me!” and they’ll post, and people whose children aren’t happier will think “oh that’s not a thread for me” and wont post.

Yes. You are probably right. I also find it worrying that there are too many children anxious about going to school, and I'm glad that this enforced time at home is helping them.

As others have already asked, will this lockdown result in more home schooled children when the schools reopen?

ChandlerIsTheBestFriend · 15/04/2020 21:13

I would love to homeschool DS2 and looked into it a few years ago. Unfortunately with me having to work FT (out of the house in normal times) there’s just no way I could do it.

ChandlerIsTheBestFriend · 15/04/2020 21:15

But I’m definitely going to take my/our foot off the gas wrt his extra curricular stuff and try and have more quality family time.

justanotherneighinparadise · 15/04/2020 21:16

I think my children are fine either way. They’re certainly not chomping at the bit to go back but equally I think they’d be happy to.

bettertimesarecomingnow · 15/04/2020 21:17

Mine are really happy too.

Playing together nicely hardly fighting
Sleeping well, eating well

Lots of fresh air

I'm loving it too. Not loving being stuck but having them at home and no rushing around is fab

givemeacall · 15/04/2020 21:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MarshaBradyo · 15/04/2020 21:23

My two year old is happy, although the garden is a huge factor, she needs to run around. I think she’d love to go out properly but loves that dh is wfh.

Ten year old says he likes it but has moments.

Teens says he’s ok but really relies on chatting with friends for a large part of the day.

So overall not too bad, luckily no anxiety issues.

IRememberSoIDo · 15/04/2020 21:23

I'm really taken aback at how happy mine are even though dh and I are both working from home and they are both extroverts. Dd1 is finishing primary and is sad to be missing the rituals but she recently got a phone and so is in touch with her friends. She misses her friends but she is really loving the slower pace. Dd2 doesn't give a monkeys. She does miss her friends but way prefers being at home! I rarely hear anyone say they're bored. As I said I'm quite shocked at how happy they are and while they will have to go back to school I am rethinking the volume of after school activities they normally do as I think this has confirmed what I suspected and that they are doing too many.

CalleighDoodle · 15/04/2020 21:23

My dc are also happy at home. Theyre not arguing. Theyre far less frequently emotional.

Normally we are out of the house 7.30 until 6pm. They dislike after school club. Theyre tired at breakfast club. we now have time for painting, reading, baking, games, even with wfh.

AddressLabel · 15/04/2020 21:38

My 18 month old is an effing nightmare. He has got much clingier than normal and constantly wants to breastfeed. Even if he doesn't want a drink. Sometimes I get them out and he just hugs them instead Hmm
Can't wait until he goes back to nursery!