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.

[psychomath]

Haha no worries, totally understandable in the current MN climate! It's been batshit around here lately

[ironicname]

I do feel very sorry for all the only children stuck at home with just their parent/s.

My DC are having a jolly time hanging out together and playing. If they didn't have each other I'd be driven mad.

[Peapod29]

If anything they are the most protected from this. They don’t understand what’s going on so surely that’s a a good thing! Mine are quite happy pottering about at home and going for their little walk. 5 & 18 months. Plus they probably won’t remember it.

[mbosnz]

It really does suck, and it must be so hard with a singleton.

[RedRedScab]

It's not that sad for young children is it as long as you keep them occupied?

I'm feeling a bit sad for my DD who's just lost her dream job and potentially a place at her top choice university after months of hard work.

We're all having to compromise and will all come out having learnt valuable lessons. Young children are the ones who'll be least affected by all of this in the long run if the adults around them stay positive and use this time creatively.

[Marieo]

It's sad for everyone in different ways. I agree that it's hard when they don't understand, but that's also a blessing as they won't remember the stress and turmoil.

[Nighttimefreedom]

I feel sorry for my kids and all the children, I feel sorry for my friend who cant see her dying father in his care home, I feel sorry for my stressed and anxious colleagues at the hospital I work at, I feel sorry that my friends new born hasn't met their grandparents yet.
Some of these things are worse than others. I am sad about them all.
Do you not feel sorry for your DC when they have the relatively small problems of life because well at least they don't live in a slum in the developing world or have a life limiting disease? Of course there are worse things but it is all relative, and for them in their worlds they are sacrificing a lot.

[Marieo]

do feel very sorry for all the only children stuck at home with just their parent/s.

Why?

[PhilCornwall1]

She'll get over it, ultimately she has no choice. It's a life lesson in how quickly things can be taken away from us that we take for granted. A valuable lesson at any age.

[firstimemamma]

I can see where you're coming from to an extent op - I feel a bit sad when my toddler can't do his usual things and it can be a bit tough to entertain him at home so much.

However, you have to try to be positive and also look at the bigger picture. In WW2 young children were evacuated to places miles and miles away. We are very fortunate in comparison and I'm grateful for what I've got.

[BackforGood]

The younger the child, the easier it is to distract them with something. (Something you can do or something you can say). A 2yr old can enjoy 'helping' wash up - a 10 yr old isn't going to get quite the same joy from playing with some bubbles for a short while. If you want to compare, I'd say it is much more difficult for families with older dc.

[CinderellasSecrets]

I feel very sad that my 4 year old asks every single day without fail to go to the park, or to nursery, or to see her friends, or tells me that shes bored (she has a short attention span, is extremely hyperactive/energetic and we live in a 5th floor flat with no garden space - yes she gets bored despite my best intentions). I feel very sad that my 10 month old isn't getting socialization, or her HEALTH CHECKS that she is due that we've been waiting months for because she is behind on her milestones. I feel very sad that my children have been cooped up inside for 3 weeks already and will be for the foreseeable future with a mother who frankly isn't coping well herself right now and therefore is pretty shit at everything - and all support there has vanished too so I'm just going to get worse.

Yes lockdown is happening, yes its fucking shit for everyone but my fucking god we are allowed to feel sympathy for our children.

I hope everyone here saying 'oh but others have it worse so fuck the kids' (that is basically what you are saying!!!) Doesnt expect any sympathy if they break their leg because you know, some people have theirs amputated! Or no sympathy if they lose 1 family member because you know some people lose their whole family!

[mbosnz]

I remember being about ready to bloody whack a colleague (very young, no children), who said that if all my kids ever went through was a few quakes they'd be doing alright. . .

Same thing. It's okay to worry about them, and be sad on their behalf.

[Lynda07]

ironicname Mon 06-Apr-20 19:20:35
I do feel very sorry for all the only children stuck at home with just their parent/s.
......
That depends on the child. Plenty of very little ones are on their own until mum and dad have another anyway. The op's child sounds very little but she'll get used to it.

My child would have loved being at home and so would I.

It's hardest for those without a garden.

[formerbabe]

Plenty of very little ones are on their own until mum and dad have another anyway

Yes but they'll go to nursery or a childminder or school. They'll go to extra curricular activities. They'll play in playgrounds with other children. They'll visit relatives and friends.

[PrettyLittleLiar20]

I’m starting to feel like all the people whinging that they couldn’t get any toilet roll should just be greatful they have a bath/shower to clean their arses because people in Africa don’t even have that. Actually people in Africa don’t even have toilets so let’s just be greatful we have somewhere peacefully to shit. Don’t get me started on the people moaning that they can’t get flour. At least we have ready made bread/cakes.

[PrettyLittleLiar20]

Always people better off than us.

[mastertomsmum]

Of all the groups I think preschoolers are best equipped to deal with this.

[ScandiAuntie]

Try using an age appropriate explanation. Really, try it, it works wonders. You are the parent, stop saying no without an explanation!! (no, she isn't too young!)

[MarginalGain]

OP, I agree. I feel pretty badly for my teenagers but toddlers - how frustrating.

It's all shit.

[NoMoreDickheads]

I think it'll do children good tbh as they'll get more of an idea that we can't always do what we want etc.

[Pukkatea]

I know competitive misery is the worst but to be honest I miss being able to see my terminally ill father so no, I'm not really of the opinion that a child being a bit bored is sad.

[formerbabe]

I think it'll do children good tbh as they'll get more of an idea that we can't always do what we want etc.

Do you really hate children because an unsympathetic comment like that suggests you do...

There's better ways of teaching this than isolating them at home, closing their schools, depriving them of education and keeping them away from their relatives and friends...but yeah, little shits, that will teach them hey?!

[psychomath]

I bet in normal times very few of these "how dare you be sad" posters were counting their blessings at not being affected by poverty, ill health or bereavement whenever something moderately bad happened in their lives. But now that there's a crisis that might badly affect them, you're suddenly being completely self-centred if you don't make it all about how much they might suffer

[YouTheCat]

Kids are lucky to have all that technology though. I know it's different because we could go out but I well remember all the power cuts in the 70s - no tv, no light to read by, no sodding heating if your house had electric heating - playing card games by candlelight.

I was wondering the other day how those kids who are constantly entertained with extra curricular activities were coping. It must be a terrible shock to have to entertain themselves if parents are having to work from home.