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.

[SleepingStandingUp]

Op I feel you. DS is 4, he doesn't understand why we can't see Nanny, or go to school, or go to the park. Every time I go oto the shop he asks where I'm going and I know he's hopings it's somewhere he can go too. The babies are 3 months, they literally couldn't care less but I feel bad they won't get to do the stuff I did with their brother. I don't even know when they'll see another person outside of us 3, which yeah, thry no care but I do, because I know what they're missing. I know Sunday would have been a trip to the Arboretum to feed the ducks, Saturday would have been visiting Nanny, today might have been a baby class etc.

However this is MN and the only thing anyone is permitted to think about is that we all might die and did you buy anything unnecessary in your essential shop.

I saw something where everytiem a family wanted to do something they wrote it down and put it in a jar, as a promise to do it when thry could, St which point they'd take it out the jar.
They won't remember much, and it's within our power to make what they remember is lots of famy time and laughter

[AnneLovesGilbert]

Of course it’s not ideal but some people seem to think the government shouldn’t have closed schools or imposed the lockdown?

[BeetrootRocks]

How will it do children good to have no school no socialising no playing out no playing with friends no clubs no PE no walk to school no seeing extended family none of that for weeks poss months

Human beings are social animals. That anyone can't see how unnatural this is to us as a species and esp for the young, I don't get it. Even to say it is good for them

[user47000000000]

Get a grip guys.

Parent up if you’re worried about your DC being bored. If you have outside space you’re winning

[user47000000000]

Obviously if you’re working at home not easy.... I may have typed too fast!

[Leighhalfpennysthigh]

What is the,point of telling someone who is feeling sad or lonely or bored or all the other things we are all feeling at the moment that they have no right to be sad or whatever because someone else is worse off than them?

Will it make it better for the people who are worse off?

Will it make the person feel any less shit?

The answer to both questions is no, by the way.

This is a tough time for everyone and we are all feeling what we are feeling. We are allowed to do that and we are allowed to express it.

We all need to stop this suffering top trumps - and whataboutary. I've done it myself, I've even done it on MN. But it's wrong and unhelpful. No of course kids are not suffering the most, but fucking hell cant we show a little compassion and understanding for their parents?

[BeetrootRocks]

'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.'

So do I but we went to school, played, laughed and played out.

This is a totally different kind of challenge.

[Whatsgoingon2020]

Yes, it is sad, but not tragic. Most of the children are still home with loving parent. Tragic is what follows after it’s over... I am afraid economic impact will be (and already is) huge and will directly affect their future.

[Autumnsloth]

Totally understand how you feel OP. I feel the same way and mine is younger than yours. Yes it's worse for other people. Doesn't mean you can't feel sad for all the things your little one missed out on! Don't really get the "they won't remember it so it's fine" attitude. We surely don't entertain our kids just so that they will remember it as adults.

Hopefully it will be over soon and we can all get back to normal.

[StarUtopia]

I've got two young ones. Both quite stressed out by it all. Infant school aged. Every morning the 5 yr old wakes up and asks to go to the park/shops/swings etc. Every morning we have upset and tears.

Then there is the full on fighting between the two of them as they're struggling to find space. We live in a small house.

[YouTheCat]

We went to school when they weren't on strike. I did acknowledge that it was a different situation though - but it wasn't a particularly nice one either.

Yes, it's crap to not be able to do all the things we usually enjoy but it'll be crap for longer if people don't observe the lockdown.

[Whatnameisgood]

I totally get why you’re feeling sad for your little one. I feel the same in respect of a few things my 4 year old has said. It makes my chest hurt. But I know that ultimately it’s not going to affect him for the worse - things are just on hold for a bit. I have to remind myself of that!

[PrettyLittleLiar20]

Like a PP said young children would rather see their friends, go to the park etc over watching YouTube on an iPad. Technology will be the death of us. It isn’t the answer. I truly believe our childhoods were more fun than what the kids have now. Making mud pies in the garden beats watching peppa pig on an iPad for an hour.

[LaDilettante]

We’re doing video calls between my DD who is 5 and her friend who is one year younger. They can easily spend 40 minutes showing each other their toys, singing, dancing, playing the piano etc.. it breaks up the day so worth a try maybe.

[byebyebeautiful]

It is sad for the young children. And the older ones. And the teenages. And us too.

We are all struggling.

Your DD will be fine OP, shell just love having your company and attention for all this time. Try not to dwell on the "cant do's" and focus on being present with your daughter.

May I also recommend avoiding Mumsnet as the constant negativity, judgment and 'who does quaratine best' here is hard going :/

[Pishposhpashy]

My four year old cries every single day asking why he can't see his nanny or aunties any more
Before this we saw my mum and sisters at least 3-4 times a week and he does not understand. Video calling is a poor substitute.

[PrettyLittleLiar20]

Yes I know she can video call her friends but imagine only video calling her friend for a while 6 months and not understanding properly why she can’t actually play with her and her toys anymore. It’s not a woe is me kind of thread, I’m just a little bit sad knowing she’s missing all the things that she used to do.

[mbosnz]

It's not forever. I hope you're just having a jolly good wallow after putting your little one to bed. This will pass, and things shall return to normal. I think perhaps it's hard because it's kind of surreal, the threat is invisible, and so long as you and yours are healthy, entirely theoretical. But this is to keep you safe, your little one safe, and all those you love safe. And everybody else.

[Babyboomtastic]

How old is she, and have you tried explaining it in an age appropriate way?

[SleepingStandingUp]

It's a life lesson in how quickly things can be taken away from us that we take for granted

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

People really think the upside to this is that toddlers and preschoolers can learn that life is hard and shit? Life shouldn't be hard and shit when you're 4. Boundaries yes, but seriously, my child doesn't need to know that they can lose family members their home, their friends etc in the blink of an eye

[GrendelsCat]

There are some really needlessly mean comments on here. Socialising is important for children, and young kids aren't able to do that online unlike the rest of us.

I realise this is a fairly personal situation but there will be others in similar positions. My baby daughter suffered a severe brain injury at birth. Her consultant has drummed it into me how important the first two years are for her development. He would constantly check I was taking her to baby groups, rhyme time, etc. She has weekly physio, OT and has been on the waiting list for speech and language since November. We just had our first session with them when the lockdown began. Overnight, all her therapy was cancelled for at least the next 6-12 months. I'm doing what I can at home, but I'm terrified of the impact this is going to have on her in the long term. And I know there will be countless other families who in similar situations or worse. Babies and toddlers won't remember what's happening right now, but it will have an impact on them.

[BirdandSparrow]

It's really shit. But it's not forever and there are lots of things you can do to make it more fun. It will pass.

www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0885wz7/the-reality-of-confinement-with-a-four-year-old?fbclid=IwAR0jqRm0xeU_wVZKrwh_Is8NVJLMIA6NADoDekQvOYlHW2ZlTzuGkcuyyrs

[boli]

All in the same boat

[Lemonpink88]

I agree with you but think you are only going to get hate back at this post.
You are allowed to feel sorry for your child. I do mine too, but more my colleagues.let’s hope the worst that happens to your family is you miss out on a bit of freedom hey. Keep safe & hug your bub tight