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?

My two are not missing nursery in the slightest, and are loving having both mum and dad at home during the day.

Although we are both office workers, we take it in shifts to look after them and spend time with then, which is now working really well.

Pre CoViD, we saw them for a maximum of 4 hours a day, the rest of the time they were either with grandparents, or at nursery. That's all going to change when lockdown is over.

@ginfordinnner the thread is about children, not students. Of course it will be limiting for students and those in their late teens and early twenties. For children, however, I think a slower pace of life and more time at home with family is proving beneficial.

And yes, mental health issues among children and young people are at epidemic levels. It does make you think about our modern lifestyle. Taking off the social pressures will be freeing for so many.

@AddressLabel Awh how cute. 😂
I think many will change their schedule where possible after this.

Interesting re older kids. DS2 is pretty extrovert (15) but has never really liked his secondary school and is having the time of his life at home. DS1 is 17 and I’d have said less reliant on social contact but actually is missing his friends and girlfriend much more. I think he feels like his independent life was just taking off and now it’s been snatched away. Haven’t had any trouble from either of them when it comes to sticking to the rules though - they both understand how serious it is and I think they’re as shocked as teenage boys ever are. Oh and they’re both fully nocturnal now

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.

Yes - my oldest is a university student and although she's hiding it well, she's devastated not to be at university with her friends, doing all the fun things she had planned. It really sucks for them.