to think life is more 'normal' than 'lockdown' now?

[fodderbeet]

Am I right to think that for a lot of people life is now more normal than not for most? Almost everything is open, pools, gyms, shops, restaurants etc. Sport has resumed at a local level, clubs and committees are meeting again, holidays are happening, life is happening again.

Admittedly in the scale of things our lives changed far less than most due to location & occupation and always having a preference for on-line shopping over trips to the supermarket, but I was surprised to hear from a friend that they're still very much in 'lockdown mode' and how restrictive their lives still are.

Am I being unreasonable to think that for most life is more normal now?

I have young children, and a lot of their activities are still restricted. No soft play, not expecting toddler groups to resume in Sept, I think Beavers/Scouts will be online.
Our church has decided not to meet in the building yet, and continue online for now.
I have family members who have decided to continue shielding so garden visits only. So my life is still quite upside down.

Life is nowhere near back to normal for my y10 children, and returning to work/school.

The pool and cinema is not open this summer, I'm not keen on them getting public transport, so driving lots.

We did go away, but even that was a bit weird.

It's definitely closer to normal than lockdown. I feel like my kids are getting a taste of my childhood, doing simpler things closer to home, more picnics and fewer 'outings', seeing a small range of friends and often just us rather than carousel of playdates.

Were buying less, spending less. I'm loving it actually.

We live in an area where there are tighter restrictions so life is nowhere near normal for us. Should be having a family party at the weekend for my parent’s 50th anniversary and jetting off to Florida on Monday. Can’t see family at all and can’t even have best mate round for coffee in the garden. Trying hard not to throw myself a pity party as I know others have it so much worse but it’s certainly nothing like normal.

I think it’ll only be when/if the kids go back to school and - possibly - everything appears to go ok and there isn’t an immediate spike that I’ll feel things are “normal.”

I do see where you're coming from, but until we are allowed to palm the kid off on grandparents for a couple of hours, I will continue to feel very much in "lockdown".

Still feels pretty far from normal to be honest.

Maybe it’s normal if you are working and don’t have children?

It’s still uncertain if dc1 will be going back to school in September. Swimming still on hold.

I don’t know where to take the baby as no groups are running so we stay at home most of the time.

Work is all online.

I feel it’s too risky to travel to see family, though cases are low in both places, and we would face a quarantine on either end.

It’s manageable, yes, but not back to normal.

I think it varies a lot by area and demographics, but certainly for us things haven’t yet returned to anywhere near normal. The same applies to most people I know who have DC.

It’s not because we’re especially cautious; DP and I are very relaxed about the virus, broadly sticking to the rules but making the most of everything we’re allowed to do. But the shape of our average day/week is nothing like it was before Covid. All of DD’s toddler groups and classes remain closed; our lovely local inclusive theatre is at real risk of permanent closure; the local library is officially ‘open’ but like Fort Knox (gatekeeper at the door asking your business there, no browsing, masks, enforced hand sanitiser, track and trace forms, screens, terrified looking staff; and I can only take DD swimming because I’m a member of a private gym - all local council pools remain closed. All other child-friendly activities have to be booked weeks ahead and sell out instantly the moment tickets are released. We’ve still managed plenty of day trips, but most of them are ‘treat’ activities that we’d usually only do occasionally during holidays etc.

We’re avoiding shops because our local town centre is just miserable now, with screens and warning signs and one way systems and people trudging about in masks - I often have DD2 in tow and it’s too restrictive and too much hassle, especially as I normally get at least one comment about how small children shouldn’t be in shops.

I’d say generally it’s the commercial businesses/attractions which feel most ‘normal’ in the way they’ve reopened, while anything low key or public sector (especially anything council-run) is still either closed or unrecognisable.

No, not even close.

I am not in an area with restrictions but our council have still only opened a small number of parks, none local to us, none of the swimming pools are open yet and most activities for kids are not running, other than working which I have throughout nothing else feels normal yet

Oh and no soft play - never thought I’d be desperate for that to reopen!

The uncertainty around schools is obviously the other biggie, but DD is only two so too much of an issue for us yet (thankfully her nursery has reopened and is running as normal).

I have young children who are too little to understand social distancing, and many of the things I would usually do with them are not open or are very restricted. It will be much much worse this winter when the weather may limit what we can do outdoors.

I am dreading the long days with no toddler groups, no swimming pool etc. Its also hard as many people are being absolutely religious about the rules and taking the view that because young children won't manage to SD properly it means we can't meet up at all.

My business folded during lockdown, DH is still working from home full time, I can’t wear a mask and am not mentally robust enough to be ‘shamed’ when out without one despite a genuine medical exemption so I don’t go in shops, on public transport or anywhere else that requires one, my DD’s hobby activities still aren’t running, the only venue in the village that runs baby/toddler groups has said it won’t be reopening so come September I’ll have no childcare for the toddler (can’t pay for it without the income from my business) and nowhere to take him so it’ll just be me and him at home all day every day... doesn’t feel normal to me yet.
I’m sure it is for some though.

YANBU but people like to moan and whinge about the “soulless” masks and “dystopian” feeling 🙄 They just love a bit of drama.

Shops are more orderly, cleaner, people keep their distance. It’s great.

I don;t know. Waiting on A level results tomorrow and the way they have been handled and are being changed daily due to neurotic panic attacks by clueless ministers makes me dread the results. Meanwhile both DTeens have been stuck at home all summer, unable to get a job because all casual work dried up, their holiday plans shelved, sports tours cancelled, gigs cancelled and uni next year will be sit-in-your-room-alone and zoom which will do nothing for ASD DS2's social anxiety.

I'm feeling it more now than before. The adult life our DC were so looking forward to beginning has been swiped from under their noses and I feel sad for them.

I agree about how massively not normal it is if you have kids right now.

Not even vaguely.

@heartsonacake

YANBU but people like to moan and whinge about the “soulless” masks and “dystopian” feeling 🙄 They just love a bit of drama.

Shops are more orderly, cleaner, people keep their distance. It’s great.

People have lost their livelihoods. That’s why it’s not ‘back to normal’. Have a little bit of empathy.

Shops are more orderly, cleaner, people keep their distance. It’s great.

If you’re a misanthropist who likes rules and doesn’t enjoy social interaction I guess. For other people it’s miserable.

Hmm, slowly becoming more normal but we’re still working from home, we don’t feel comfortable going to the gym so don’t go even though it’s re-opened. Most of our social life pre-lockdown involved going to house/garden parties with 10-20 people but these gatherings still aren’t allowed. Not feeling normal yet but obviously much better than lockdown.

It won't be normal for me until DS is actually at school.

Of course it's not normal. Unless you were a hermit who never left the house previously.

Having to wear masks in enclosed areas.
None of the kids' activities have restarted.
DH still working from home - at least until Christmas.
Having to give your name and number when having a coffee in a shop.
No party for DS this year as per rules on meeting in groups.
No swimming, or going to the gym.

For starters.

Depends on iur pre lockdown life.
DH was mainly work in the day, help with childrens activities/volunteering in evening, family&friends weekend. Now he has work, and immediate family the rest of time.
My life was asked around children. I now have them all-day without school, activities etc. Hardly any of usual holiday day out. DD1 went into a shop yesterda, first time since March.
Children's life completely abnormal.

So one family member 50% normal, other 3 completely different.

I’m in Manchester. I’ve only met up with one friend since March. Was planning more but we are back in lockdown again. Most of my social life revolves around gigs and the pub but my friends don’t feel safe doing those things ( neither do I really). I’m working from home. It’s ok but lonely.