to think that this is really sad for the young children?

[PrettyLittleLiar20]

I’ve got a young child who is so so bored at home. Constantly asks if we can go to the playground. I say no the playground is closed. Can we go to the beach mummy? No because we’re not allowed. Mummy can we go to McDonald’s? No because it’s closed. I’m just so so sad for my DD and im constantly feeling bad because she doesn’t understand any of this.

Thing is, the situation for our kids can not be optimal, but if we work hard, they can still thrive. It's just harder work for us.

I have a 2 and a 5 year old. I have had the 5 year old in tears because she can't see her friends, she misses her teachers, she wants to give Nanna a hug and misses her and because she wont be able to have a Birthday party. My 2 year, who has a slight speech delay, asks me the same questions everyday, Daddy at work? No, Playgroup? No its closed, Nanna's house? No, Car? No. Just because we are doing the right thing, saving lives etc doesn't make it any less heartbreaking as a mother and just because we dare to feel sad for our children for 2 minutes and not be thinking about the NHS workers and other key workers 24/7 doesn't make us heartless.

I get you. My kid is fine per se but I'm sad for him as he's always asking after his best friend from nursery and the sad fact is we may never see the best friend again. As in September they start school and we have no details of the parents of said kid. Due to nursery and school being different areas we just won't ever bump into them... it does make me sad :(

It definitely is mbosnz.

It’s going to be even harder when you have to send them all back to school after they have got used to this new setup. It’s sad for everyone though, we’re all screwed right now whichever way you look at it, so I feel sorry for us all.

Let’s hope there is light on the horizon. 🌥

People on MN for YEARS have been bemoaning how children don't play out, how they spend time on screens, not human interaction, should be out with their mates on bikes etc etc

All of a sudden it's a positive that life is this way for them. Seeing no one outside the family at all for weeks possibly months on end?

We're social animals. In the sense of how we live, what makes us happy, what makes our nearest animal relations happy.

In photos of hard times through the years many of them are of groups of children playing in the middle of whatever the terrible thing was.

Yes children are resilient but this is a different sort of thing.

I remember being a teen from 14 I wanted to get as far away as poss from my family. I wanted to get out into the world. This is a normal developmental stage. It's going to be really difficult for kids. Not to say it's not difficult for others. But this dismissal of the idea this might impact them at all bothers me.

I've seen, since this started, and commented a few times on other threads, that this situation seems to be hardening attitudes against children and those with MH issues.

We'll have to see how it all pans out.

My 3yo is bearing up really well, all things considered. She understands that coronavirus is out there and we don't want to let it in the house (OK, maybe she's confusing it with next door's cat, but haway, she's 3) so she accepts that we have to do some things differently. I think she enjoys getting more time with both parents at home, and likes the fact that she can do different activities with each of us. So, all things considered, we're doing OK.

But, it's still heartbreaking to see how much she misses other people. One of our cookery groups is doing some online classes, which are great. But as soon as she recognises the tutor she's wanting to chat away and tell her what she's up to, commentate on the baking, just like when we're in class. And she doesn't really get why the tutor can't hear her and play like they do in class. I'd underestimated just how important the other people in her life are, and it's hard to watch her struggling to process these restrictions.

We'll get through it, she'll come away with positive memories as well (I hope), but inevitably we'll all have a wobble or two along the way.

Stanski in Ireland we were all given two free post post cards. My dc4 wanted to send his to his preschool pal. I messaged the owner and asked for her to ok it with the child's mum for me to have address and we posted it. Would that bean option? Turns out he lives half a mile away so it might actually increase the meetups long term.

It is sad. It’s also sad for 15 year olds who have had the exams they have worked for for 2 years cancelled. It’s also sad for 11 year olds who don’t get the fun of finishing off primary school. It’s also sad for 7 year old......and so on. It’s no sadder for a 3 year old than any other age group. At least at that age it’s not actually going to affect her life chances, unlike a final year uni student or a final year school student. By all means feel sad for your own child, but understand it’s happening to every child in some way or other.

I don't think focusing on the things children cant do at the moment is helpful and just sends them and their parents into a spiral of negativity. Just concentrate on keeping them safe and focus on the things you can still do with them and promise them when this is over things will go back to normal. In the main children in this country are privileged even under the partial lockdown. Make a pretend beach in the garden and make them burgers for lunch and be grateful they are safe and well.

At least you have each other, i would give anything to stay home with my LO instead of being physically and mentally drained in A&E fighting this vile illness, terrified that I may bring it home and endanger her.

But hey ho, so is life. McDonald’s will be back open for you soon enough and your life will return to normal. Many people’s will not.

mbosnz my 4yo is definitely thriving. Makes me really sad to think that when this is all over he'll have to go to nursery 5 days a week. I'd genuinely consider part time if he wasn't going to school in September.

I'm finding it incredibly hard, as is DH. Both working full time, child care for a 4yo and 13month old, housework, relationship, trying to get something educational in. But we cannot dispute that DS is absolutely thriving.

BeetrootRocks I agree for older children but babies and toddlers,no. I'm not saying the change not huge for them but I think our handling of it key for them.

@Snaketime apparently you need to sit them down, tell them the oy thing anyone should worry about is if they might die, that life is hard and everything we know can be taken a way in seconds and they need to suck it up and stop being babies.

I think it is sad for everyone, young and old, but if we're talking specifically about children then I feel more sad for the those in Year 11 who had to finish to school suddenly and with the possibility of not returning and being able to say their goodbyes. I feel sad that they've spent years studying for their GCSE's and won't be sitting them this year or ever. I feel sorry for those also who won't also be sitting their A levels.

I had quite bad PND for a long time and the kids didn't get out much past a walk a day with me.

But they went to pre school at 2 and loved it, and as they get older they really enjoy playing with others. It's what children do isn't it. It bothers me, and teens as well. Being with family all the time will simply feel untenable to quite a few teens. It goes against the natural distancing thing that happens though puberty. I do feel for them a lot tbh.

There is nobody right now, that couldn't do with a hug, and a stroke of the hair.

This is the situation. Do what we can do.

It's not fun, of course it's not, but little ones are easily distracted. I have two teens, one with ADHD. They are both used to a fair amount of freedom to roam, as we live in a reasonably safe place.

I have young Grandchildren. The just 4 year old told me on facetime that we cannot go and see them because of the virus and when people behave and stay indoors, the virus will go away and we can go and get cuddles. The 2 year old says virus too and I think has a little understanding.

I'm struggling too. We all are.

you will need to learn how to parent them full time rather than part time.
That's a pretty comment. Since when does taking your child to MacDonalds, the beach, the park etc mean you aren't parenting them? Anyone mentions "ful ltime parent" on here they're shot down because EVERY parent is a FULL TIME PARENT every second of the day but suddenly op is a part time parent cos they aren't normally locked in the house all day?

My kids aged 10 and 12 are more or less loving it really, they get to be home and now school work has stopped for the easter they get to just hang out at home do what they like doing. My 12 year has go a little bored at times but in the main he has been ok...he has just started watching friends so has about 10 years of friends series is going to keep him busy and a garden he can go out in. In all seriousness they have it easy compared to so many people right now so I am not concerned.

Nope. Don't feel sorry for them. I mean I do, but it's for the greater good.

My kids are used to being indoors, playing in the garden, not going out, because we don't have a shed load of money to spend. So we are mostly at home. They make their own entertainment.

They have each other, a garden, the TV, toys, tablets, mum and dad, so much to do. Yes, it's a bit boring at times, but we're better off than those who are struggling with grief and those who are ill in hospital.

Teaching the kids that we are doing our bit, by staying in. They are taking it very well.

These are the flakier than flake snowflakes of the future

you will need to learn how to parent them full time rather than part time

Oh come off it. I’ve been a SAHM since mine were born... the very definition of a ‘full time’ parent. They’re 6, 4 and 1 so have always had at least one of them at home with me full time.
It’s still hard meeting the needs of all of them at to the same time. It’s still hard knowing that they’re missing out on so much. I’m more than happy to have them all at home with me to keep them safe, doesn’t mean it’s easy. Doesn’t mean I have any idea how to educate them. So piss off with your parent them full time’ comments.

@Shinesweetfreedom
These are the flakier than flake snowflakes of the future
Being 4 and sad cos your whole world changed overnight cos of something Mama calls Coronavirus and you can't see Nanny any more makes them snowflakes? It's not the 4 yo who needs to grow up

And no I don’t think they have it harder than anyone else. My 6 year old is really struggling with anxiety over it all, but she’ll be fine in the long run. If anything, I think they’ll remember this time with fondness. But making digs about people having to parent ‘full time’ is shitty.