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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

429 replies

PrettyLittleLiar20 · 06/04/2020 18:30

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. Sad

OP posts:
formerbabe · 06/04/2020 19:56

@sleepingStandingUp

Totally agree... honestly I think some people on here seem to really hate kids!

ims0rrydarlingg · 06/04/2020 19:56

There are children in certain countries, amidst COVID-19 who have no clean water, no food and no access to free healthcare.

Get a grip.

CinderellasSecrets · 06/04/2020 19:57

Has anyone got any suggestions on how to explain it in an age appropriate way because I've told my 4 year old what's happening the best way I can and her response is but mummy I promise I'll keep my mouth closed and wash my hands so I don't catch anything. That hurts even though I know it's for the best, it doesnt make it any easier.

Laiste · 06/04/2020 19:57

All the the progressive talk about supporting one another through staying at home by paying attention to mental health goes to bollocks when someone actually comes out and says they feel sad doesn't it?

''Shut up and be glad you're not x, y or z''.

Very supportive. Very constructive to stopping depression setting in. Fabulous.

Poetryinaction · 06/04/2020 19:57

No one is playing misery top trumps. They are giving perspective. I think the OP has been rude in some of her responses. Of course we feel bad for, and support some of the causes mentioned whether or not we are in lockdown. But now we are in lockdown I think it is especially relevant to acknowledge how lucky you are. Refugees cannot self isolate. Desperate situations just got worse. I really don't feel bad about children not going to McDonalds. I di feel bad about children losing their parents to Corona. It's not about material possessions, but the internet does allow us to be more sociable and less distanced. Yes, the park with friends can be the best day ever, so can housework with mummy. It is all in the attitude. Missing out on swimming lessons might make kids sad, but it is time to get a bit of perspective. There are much bigger problems. I have three small children and I am grateful.for these days with them, when they are small and safe, and we are forced together.

Makinganewthinghappen · 06/04/2020 19:58

My 4 year old doesn’t really seem to have realised what’s going on. All my children are homeschooled anyway so she hasn’t had the leaving school/ nursery part but she has had her home ed groups cancelled.

She is not bothered at all about the home ed groups but she asked regularly if we can go to the park.

I have tried to explain to her that they are shut because of coronavirus and that it’s only for a while so soon we can go to the park.

She doesn’t seem bothered at all other than saying it’s not fair that corona virus gets to play on the park and she doesn’t Blush.

I’m not sure I have done a very good job explaining it but she seems happy enough at the moment.

I do feel a little bit sad that we are stuck in but I am just trying to look forward to being able to go out again and I think I will appreciate it much more!

formerbabe · 06/04/2020 19:58

There are children in certain countries, amidst COVID-19 who have no clean water, no food

I assume your life is pure bliss and you never moan about a thing, I mean afteral, there's people starving in the world.

MarieQueenofScots · 06/04/2020 19:58

No one is playing misery top trumps

There are countless posters doing just that.

Apparently “I’m sorry OP, things are hard at the moment. Hope you feel better tomorrow” is too difficult.

ThePluckOfTheCoward · 06/04/2020 19:59

It's really sad for lots of people. I'm watching BBC1 about people who are disabled, elderly and blind who are reliant on carers to get them out of bed, change catheters, give them injections, bring them food etc and they are terrified that if those carers don't turn up due to illness etc they will be stuck.

In the nicest possible way Op, give your head a wobble. Your child is loved and cared for, with their parent who is keeping them safe and occupied. This will pass, you just have to keep on going, chances are your child will not remember this and will be fine.

Lovemusic33 · 06/04/2020 19:59

When I was 3 I didn’t go to McDonald’s or the beach (unless on holiday), yes we went to the park but mainly we stayed at home, played in the garden or went for a walk. Yes it’s hard as kids don’t necessarily understand but they will also forget it ever happened in a years time and it won’t effect them greatly. I think kids these days are so used to having so much and being able to go places, 30/40 years ago kids had to pretty much entertain themselves.

littlebirdieblue · 06/04/2020 20:01

It doesn't have to be a negative time for children. My 7 year old twins would love to go to the park or McDonald's but I've told them they are closed to protect us from the the virus, and we need to stay home to keep safe. We don't bake and craft all day every day, only a few times a week. Mostly we play, do number games, read and watch movies together.
I am still working from home as I'm self employed, but luckily I can do lots when they are in bed at night. I know it's a horrible time but we have to be positive for our children, I want mine to remember these days in a good way.

Sunshineafterrain24 · 06/04/2020 20:01

It's easy to explain to them the reasons why we can't do any of these things, unless they are non verbal due to their disability. Then it's a whole lot harder and much more confusing for them.

Bubbinsmakesthree · 06/04/2020 20:02

It’s perfectly possible to simultaneously think:

-the situation is sad for you and your family
-the lockdown is necessary
-other people have it worse

This is a tough time. We’re allowed to feel sad about the small things as well as the big things.

My youngest DS is 3 this month. He doesn’t understand why we can’t go out and is feeling it more than the rest of us who can understand why we can’t go out and make sense of it. I am sad for him. I don’t for one minute thing this isn’t worth it.

Cameron2012 · 06/04/2020 20:02

You are right OP, it is sad.

ims0rrydarlingg · 06/04/2020 20:04

@formerbabe - my life is blissful enough to refrain from moaning about children, not being able to go out. The restriction is there for a reason. Thanks for asking though hun xx

ItsAllTheDramaMickIJustLoveIt · 06/04/2020 20:04

It does suck but it won’t be forever and I’ve told my kids to think of things to do once we’re out of lockdown. I’m hoping they’ll be more appreciative of things we usually do and places we go.

earlgreynomilk · 06/04/2020 20:05

The whole situation is sad and everyone is missing out on certain things. It's hard for small children who don't understand but certainly no harder than it is for many others.

People are losing loved ones, facing serious financial difficulties, losing their jobs, desperately concerned about the lack of PPE to be able to do their essential jobs safely. I feel really sad for these people.

MarieQueenofScots · 06/04/2020 20:05

my life is blissful enough to refrain from moaning about children, not being able to go out. The restriction is there for a reason

Blissful but perhaps not insightful if you can’t work out the two aren’t mutually exclusive.

SleepingStandingUp · 06/04/2020 20:07

There are children in certain countries, amidst COVID-19 who have no clean water, no food and no access to free health care.
Get a grip

There are always children who have no clean water, no food and no access to free health care. So presumably no one can ever complain naboit anything ever?
Partner dies and your kid is upset? Suck it upkiddo, think of the kids in Africa* who have lost two parents.
Kid going through intrusive medical treatment and finding it hard? Suck it up kiddo, at least you have a nurse to stick you with needles and doctors to operate unlike in Africa*
Kid being bullied every day on SM to the point where they feel so out of control they're self harming? Suck it up kiddo, kids in Africa* have bigger things to worry about.
At what point CAN we feel sorry for our kids? Abuse? Life limiting illness? Surely there's someone worse off somewhere so we should never have any sympathy for anyone ever.

ims0rrydarlingg · 06/04/2020 20:10

@SleepingStandingUp - I clearly made a point of referring back to COVID-19 when I made the comment. The children who can't access the basics we can, because of the crisis.

bookworm14 · 06/04/2020 20:11

Ignore the competitive misery, OP. You’re allowed to be sad. I have a four year old who is desperate to go back to school and see her friends. I can feel sad on her behalf while also understanding that the lockdown is necessary.

endlesswashingbaskets · 06/04/2020 20:11

My children are loving it! I asked them about it yesterday because I was curious about what memories they would have and everything they said was positive. I'm glad it's all gone over their heads TBH

SleepingStandingUp · 06/04/2020 20:12

@CinderellasSecrets try gooogling Dave the Dog is worried about corona virus.

The restriction is there for a reason. but no one is saying it's not. If I couldn't see a clsoe family member dying of Clovid19 of feel devastated, it wouldn't mean i think we should cancel the lockdownish to pander to me. Some people are capable of more than one emotion and thought. Clearly you're struggling with that

givemeacall · 06/04/2020 20:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

goldpartyhat · 06/04/2020 20:14

No it’s shit for everyone. Actually DS loves not going to school. Quite happy at home and in the garden.