To not understand clapping for kids

[VivienScott]

Why are we now doing this? The premise I’ve seen is that their lives have been turned upside down, no longer able to see family or friends. Isn’t that all of us? And surely if they don’t understand why we’re on lockdown, they’re not going to understand us clapping?
Hasn’t this gone a bit far?
I do have kids, and they are most definitely affected, but I don’t feel the need to clap for them especially and they don’t want me to.

The week after, it'll be clapping for the dogs who can't run around the park like they used to

Yep, clap for the hungry pigeons. Clap clap clap hands fall off

Well I think it is a lovely idea and will absolutely be doing it. My kids and all their friends understand this must be done and are being amazing. They are so, so bored. As for it being a permanent weekend. Not in our lives! They are usually out doing loads of activities and seeing their friends.

Perhaps if you had teenagers who never left their rooms things are different. Not the case here and not the case for anyone I know. Their lives have changed beyond recognition. They are far too young to just sit and play on a PlayStation all day. They miss their friends, their teachers, their lives. As I say, they know they have to do this and they just have to get on with it. But why is it so terrible to give them a little respect for doing it.

So damn right I will be clapping. I say this as NHS frontline who will be doing 12 hour shifts in all the full PPE you have seen on Facebook. I see my kids as making a far greater sacrifice than I am right now.

Mine has one job for lockdown, which is to behave. Given key performance indicators have been patchy at best, applause seems unlikely

I can think of a lot more people having a harder time thanthe majority of children at the moment.

Postmen/couriers
Food delivery drivers
Supermarket staff
Military
Civil servants/politicians trying to coordinate everything
Police
Farmers
Hospital cleaners
Funeral directors/mortuary staff
Clergy/religious leaders
Nursing home staff

Their lives have changed beyond recognition.

Everyone's lives have changed beyond recognition.

The week after, it'll be clapping for the dogs who can't run around the park like they used to

No dogs won't notice clapping. FIREWORKS FOR ROVER!! That'll get their attention, dogs love fireworks. Quick, to Amazon!

What can we do for the guinea pigs...

My kids haven't been "heroes", they've done minimal school work, chores or exercise, eaten their own weight in crisps and watched hours of Disney+

Pelleas yes they have, but it is harder for children to understand why. Plus as adults we usually have access to other adults through social media (MN anyone ). Kids (young ones anyway). Our worlds and friends just become more virtual. Theirs disappeared.

Yet another bandwagon for people to jump on.

To think that only a matter of months ago people were debating whether to replace clapping at events with Jazz hands as clapping noise stresses people out! Lol

@DisorganisedOrganiser

It's all getting a bit Big Brother. From the daily exercise, to the decorations in the windows, to the mass demonstrations (clapping).

The Orwell BB, not the C5 version

"Little heroes" how puketastic.

Can't we just have one big clap for everybody in the whole world and then be done with it?

Taken from the picture @SnowfallSnowball posted: “Clap for the little heroes”

I think I just threw up a bit.

I have young children @DisorganisedOrganiser
Their school and my husband and I have explained this to them, we talk about and reassure them its not forever.
Yes its difficult but as parents, we guide them through this. We factime friends and family and have a daily routine we use loosely.

I asked my kids 6 and 11 if we should clap for them?
Why? was the answer from my little heroes.

Ooo now Jazz hands i could manage

it is harder for children to understand why

Understanding why doesn't make living under lockdown any easier, nor will understanding why help those who are working on the front line.

Plus as adults we usually have access to other adults through social media

A huge generalisation - many adults don't. My elderly parents only have the vaguest idea what Facebook is, for example.

Usually very cynical about these things and do not have young children but I will be out clapping for our children. Yes adults have it tough too, but children have less of a capacity to understand. My ds cried and tried hard to hide his tears when it was announced his A levels were cancelled. I shall be clapping for all the teens in a similar predicament.

I know we tend to be all very stiff upper lip in this country, but I do think its nice to acknowledge the mental toll this will be having on our more vulnerable young people, and since everyone champions mental health, it's a great chance for us a nation to show how much we value our young people.

Happy to do it for seniors the following week.

Well that is great for all the children who are absolutely fine.

Perhaps this clap is just to give a bit of encouragement to those who are struggling. Bloody hell. If we can’t have some empathy and support for actual children then I despair.

Pretty sure lots will be clapping round here anyway. Lots of families in the neighbourhood.

My DD is 7 and is having the time off her life, she hates school so it loving this lockdown. Gets to watch what she wants on TV, a bit of school work, eating her own body weight in crisps and yoghurts, an hours exercise taking the dog out and bed time at 10pm.

Me and DP are both working from home so she is busy doing her own thing when we are working. She knows about the virus but we have talked about it and discussed it with her, she is not scared or worried about it but knows to wash her hands and why she cant go out with her friends

She is loving this lockdown.

Perhaps we could do a MN Jazz hands at 8pm on sunday the eleventybillionth of Aprmay?

Of course its only valid if you video it and post it to your social media

Fair enough about older people with social media. I would happily clap for anyone really, would love a clap for people staying at home in general but that won’t stop me clapping for kids.

I agree Catherine, I think it is that age group too that have it very hard.

Well yes, obviously if your children hated school they will like being off. Many children love school. Especially those where school was a place of safety / support.

This is so OTT.

Self serving idiots people are just coming up with these ridiculous ideas so they can say 'I thought of that' if it catches on. All trying to out do one another.

It's like if you're not seen to care then you don't. Social media has a lot to answer for!