Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Bakingbaking · 06/04/2020 20:14

I don't understand what people are telling their kids that they are so worried and bored. I have 4. Not one of them are anxious or worried or begging to do things. To be fair we are quite introverted and talk about everything as a matter of fact. We ourselves aren't having any emotional outbursts because being at home is the best thing we could be doing right now and very greatful we are not the ones on the frontline. And very greatful for those who are risking their health and lives. Seriously people need to stop with being upset about being home and be greatful you are being kept safe. Mine have asked to go to the park once. I said no it's closed because of the virus. They said ok and went back to their activity. They are 1, 3,5 and 6.

The more adults panic the kids will.

Porcupineinwaiting · 06/04/2020 20:14

It's a little bit sad for small children. Just not very. Of all the groups in society I would think they are the least affected.

ims0rrydarlingg · 06/04/2020 20:14

@SleepingStandingUp - Someone I know died recently from the virus. Frontline NHS. Left 3 children behind. Her death was all over the news and made headlines. We can't even attend her funeral.

So forgive me if I can't show empathy to this entitled thread.

formerbabe · 06/04/2020 20:14

The restriction is there for a reason
Thanks for asking though hun

I know the restriction is there for a reason.

Oh and I wasn't asking about your life Hun...it's was more of a statement than an actual question.

Hun

Heygirlheyboy · 06/04/2020 20:15

A preschooler shouldn't be 'bored' really tho... time at home with you is a massive gain for them in this situation. You and play are top priorities, even in the normal run.of things and socialisation isn't just socialising, your DC will be OK. They'll feel your vibe on it tho so upbeat best option. We're taking a picture of something nice each day eg picnic lunch in garden etc. Many disadvantaged children are in a horrible situation but that aside, this period could be seen as a benefit for other DC. Any parents trying to work from home have my deepest sympathies!!

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 06/04/2020 20:16

She is still with you - no one has decreed that all children be evacuated to safe areas en masse to live with complete strangers.

Surly · 06/04/2020 20:17

It is sad I agree, it's a shit situation and you're not a monster for feeling bad for your child.
However maybe it's a wake up call to think about the kids in the world who've never had clothes, clean water, a happy meal or a trip to the park?
Doesnt mean you cant complain I complain all the time however dont act all oh poor me.. it could be fucking worse, this could've been your childs life for all of her life.

Strokethefurrywall · 06/04/2020 20:17

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

Hahaha fucking comedy gold 🤣

Babyshambler · 06/04/2020 20:17

I have a very active 5 year old (reception year), who I was really worried about initially. He loves school and loves to be out and about. He sees a lot of my Mum usually during the week as she looks after him whilst I'm at work and we visit the in-laws every Sunday.

Although he's a bit older than your child, he has been amazingly resilient. He only has a very basic understanding of what is happening but is absolutely loving his time in the house and we've been making the most of it with lots of activities that are usually hard to cram in. I've had to let him down when he's asked to do certain things, but just offer an alternative that we can do indoors. Apart from catching up with schoolwork and one of his hobbies done via Zoom, there's been no screen time, just lots of games, cooking, arty stuff, cuddles, books etc. He seems really happy to have so much undivided attention without he usual external pressures and distractions - and definitely lifts the spirits of the house.

BelfastSmile · 06/04/2020 20:19

I feel a bit sorry for DD(3), who had started Playgroup in January and was just getting settled in and really enjoying it. But she and DS(5) are perfectly happy at home, with both Mummy and Daddy to play with.

One afternoon last week they got a basin, put water in, and played in the back garden with it for a couple of hours. Just putting Duplo characters in, making them boats etc. It's been really good for their imaginative play and for encouraging them to find ways to entertain themselves.

I do feel for single parents who are trying to juggle WFH with childcare, and I imagine some of those kids aren't having the greatest time, but at the end of the day everyone's doing the best they can, and they're safe and cared for.

Heygirlheyboy · 06/04/2020 20:20

CinderellasSecrets , I have a lovely link I'll try to find it for you.

AveAtqueVale · 06/04/2020 20:21

@CinderellasSecrets

I've explained to my two (2 and 5) that at the moment nobody is going out unless it's really important, as there's a bad bug going round and the more people are out and about the more it will spread. I've said that the problem isn't them catching it, because it doesn't make children very sick (partly truth and partly because I don't want them to be scared!) but they could spread it around to other people (like Granny, who is old, or Auntie X, who already has problems breathing) and it would make them VERY sick. So we are staying inside to make sure we don't spread the bug around.

They both get it - even the 2yo. I said something about swimming earlier and he misheard and thought I'd said I was going swimming - he told me very sternly that I wasn't allowed because of the bad bug. And every time we facetime my mum etc he tells her he'll come and see her soon when he can't give her the bad bug. They are both a bit fed up, but they do understand which I think helps a lot.

Heygirlheyboy · 06/04/2020 20:21

www.sophiesstories.co.uk/stay-home-superheroes

Schuyler · 06/04/2020 20:22

I think we, as parents, can make it better for our children by jollying them along and being positive. I’m not going to indulge my children. I will acknowledge their sadness but redirect them and help them make the best out of it. This is weeks in their hopefully very, very long lives.

Kinneddar · 06/04/2020 20:22

Theres a lot more people I feel sorry for before I feel sorry for young children.

Other than ofcourse the people who are ill or have lost someone I'm sorry for people like my Mum who lives alone and has no.company and cant go out the house.

I'm sorry for people like my niece who's missing her last few months of school, missing her exams, her graduation, her prom, her driving lessons, her part time job.

I'm sorry my colleagues who are key workers and cant social distance

I could go on but no young children wouldnt be on my list.

CherryPavlova · 06/04/2020 20:26

I think preschool children can be perfectly happy in most family homes. I accept not having a garden makes it much harder but there’s plenty you can do with little ones. There needs aren’t complex.
It’s much harder for other groups - not least parents who aren’t used to entertaining their children all day and suddenly have to try and adapt.

Most people are missing out on things. Hopefully most of us will come through alive and it will simply be a story for future grandchildren.

MintyMabel · 06/04/2020 20:26

FFS, why must we always jump to “at least they aren’t dying”

Why can’t people understand that for very small children, this kind of change they can’t understand or rationalise is actually a lot harder on them than for the adults who are dealing with it.

It doesn’t detract from the hard work others are doing or the risk they are facing.

I generally take a non nonsense, just get on with it attitude with DD, but I’d be an idiot not to recognise it’s harder for kids to live with this than adults.

Porcupineinwaiting · 06/04/2020 20:27

@MintyMabel that's your opinion. I just dont happen to agree with it.

WaxOnFeckOff · 06/04/2020 20:37

It's not a competition.

Yes it's sad but it wont be forever. Each age group has it's own issues. It's not a big thing in the grand scheme of things and there are folk in some dreadful situations. However. at this moment in time it's hard not to get sucked into your own miseries.

Tootletum · 06/04/2020 20:46

They only think it's sad if you tell them it's sad.

formerbabe · 06/04/2020 20:48

I could go on but no young children wouldnt be on my list

@kinneddar

Bizarre...you said you feel sorry for your niece who is missing her prom and driving lessons but you don't feel sorry for young children.

My dd is a primary aged child...she's missing the school trip she was so excited about, her extra curricular activities and her therapy sessions she has for her sn. Is she deserving enough for sympathy or does her age mean she doesn't deserve any?

BeetrootRocks · 06/04/2020 20:50

I think children of all ages are well able to be sad that they can't see their friends for weeks/ months

Without that feeling being instigated by a parent

I mean that's before you get into children who are in more challenging situations where in terms of housing, food, family circs etc etc

LockdownLucy · 06/04/2020 20:51

No one is a winner. Differently awful for everyone.

Mummyoflittledragon · 06/04/2020 20:56

My dd would have hated this op and not being well, it would have been hell for me. I wouldn’t have coped and dh would have had to stay at home for the duration to look after us both. As is, shes 11 and it’s far easier. School gives her structure even if it is remote atm. She had a “sleepover” last night, which involved FaceTiming her friend all night long until they went to sleep at midnight. It’s a poor replacement for the real thing but they were both pretty excited.

Children in this country in the main are massively privileged in relation to many elsewhere. Not all, of course. That doesn’t negate their current reality.

Malvinaa81 · 06/04/2020 20:59

It is sad, and naturally there are worse things- you know that and were never saying there were not- so there's no need for others to be so snippy.

I think young children do have quite short memories, and providing the lock down doesn't last till next year, children will forget.

It is hard for a mother to feel her child is sad.

Good luck.

Swipe left for the next trending thread