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.

We should organise a clap for them!

Completely agree with @CheshireDing . It is what you make it.

You can try recreating some of the things she wants to do at home, and suggest other things, ideally things she doesn't get to do often normally so it feels like a treat.

How old is your DD? I have a 5-year-old and a 3-year-old (as well as a baby) so may be able to share some ideas

Yes. I have a 2yr old and a 1yr old. The 2yr old is bored out of her mind!

There's only so much painting, playing, arts-and-crafting I can do in a day!

Cv aside, isn’t it your job to be providing things to do so these questions don’t even get asked? A bit of distraction. Promises of fun, home based things to do?

I don’t understand why you put the kid in that position so much.

some harsh replies here. It is sad for only children who are quite young as children need others to play with. My 4 year old is very subdued and lonely. However as others said, children have short memories and will move on quickly hopefully.

Mine is absolutely loving being at home most of the time (1 day a week at nursery). It's an unexpected positive about this situation. He occasionally asks to go somewhere but when I say we can't, let's do x instead he's equally happy.

My kids have never been happier! Lots of attention from both parents, relaxed learning, no rushing around, lots of baking, lots of games, playing in the garden etc. We're lucky that we have a garden and the government has promised to pay some of my wages and we are not putting our lives on the line.

I think it's harder on the parents who worry and fret about the impact on their little ones!

How about something like, 'no love, we can't go and see Josie today, because of the virus that's making too many people poorly, we'll do that when it's better. . . now, how about we do something we don't normally do, maybe having a campout in the living room tonight?'

I'm grateful mine are 4. Yes they miss their friends and going out but generally they're happy with increased screen time and being at home with us. They also don't understand the seriousness of the situation.

This must be terrifying for older kids.

Do they have a bike or scooter for walks? Are there trees to climb if the playground is shut? Do they have Lego or puzzles? Can you buy food they like from the supermarket? I have a teen and this would have all been so much easier when he was a young child.

If only someone would organise some sort of hand-banging event that no one wants to participate in

Ha, I was just going to say didn't the 'hand clapping for our poor children' that no bugger took part in appease her?

Put the kid in what position @Lavenderquarts? I tell my DD the truth that the playground is closed because if she asks me every single day there’s so many excuses I can make before I run out. Is it so bad to feel a tiny weeny bit bad on the kids that do not understand what’s going on.

Three and hour tear olds won’t even remember this. They won’t remember nursery or their nursery friends. They don’t need closure from leaving nursery. They will have social stimulus when things start returning to normal. It used to be quite normal for children to spend their first few years at home either on their own or with siblings only. The privilege that children have these days is phenomenal. Most are happy, healthy and well cared for. Mostly it’s the parents getting bored of repetition, not the child. What pre schooler gets bored with repetition? We’ve all read the same book/played the same game for the 50th time in a week. Parents need to stop projecting onto their children and be more involved in the now.

It is very sad for young kids. It is very sad for everybody. I think we all have a different idea to whom it's the most sad, in my listing it's not the young kids. Though it defo sucks for them as well.

How old is your dc?
As previous posters have said children are resilient. They take their cues from the adults around them. I appreciate it's hard but try putting a positive spin on things. "How about we can do this instead?"
I also believe boredom is good for children, it encourages their imaginations and creativity.
It maybe that when they look back to this time they will remember with fondness the time you spent together as a family.

I think it perfectly allowed to feel sad. All of us are for one reason or another. Some people are just mean.

No, I'm glad mine are too young to be worried by what's going on.

My daughter was 4-5 for the Canterbury quakes. She sure as bloody hell remembers them.

I've always thought this is easiest on the youngest kids, mine are loving it anyway!

Thank you @CokeEnStock. Just because I feel bad for my child it does not mean I feel any less bad for everyone else. The majority of people on here jump on anyone who isn’t constantly speaking highly of nhs workers etc. How dare anyone think of their own families eh? I’m such a monster.

Yanbu to feel sad for the things they're missing out on. People saying "there are people worse off than you"...you could say that on every single thread on MN. It's not a competition and people are allowed to feel upset about things without making it in to one.

I'm feel sorry for my teens missing out on things, that doesn't mean I'm not full of sympathy for people on the front line or those who have lost loved ones

Look at the kids in refugee camps. Or in India. Most kids in the UK, unless very poor or living with violence or something awful, are much luckier. Many, especially those with parents on mumsnet worrying about them, have tv and internet, and lots of games and toys. They will be unharmed by extra time with their parents.

My DD thinks it's great fun, she's 5yo, there have been times when she's been bored or missed her friends so we've sorted WhatsApp video calls with them. They show each other their houses and toys and love it.

She plays in the garden, does crafts, plays with Lego/playmobil, does activity sheets.

It's not the norm but it's not bad. Knackering as parents who are trying to wfh full time, but not bad.

How old is your child OP? If say 3 then they are old enough to have it explained to them in a simple/non scary way. There’s quite a lot of stories and literature out there put together by teachers and child psychologists to help parents with this - perhaps that would help, if you didn’t have to deny them things without explanation?