to think that the effect on children's mental health is exaggerated?

[SmudgeButt]

Look I have no doubt that lots of kids are missing their friends, school, grandparents. And all of these things will effect their development and mental health. But is it really that bad a situation compared to other things in the past?? Or is it just that we talk about it a whole nauseatingly more?

I'm thinking that the current situation isn't a patch on the effect of living in a country that's at war - thinking back to WW2 and the effect of being suddenly shipped off to strangers in the countryside or even to a different country. Thinking of those children in Europe who suddenly had to fend for themselves in Jewish ghettos or concentration camps.

People that survived (yes a lot didn't as they were murdered) no doubt had lifetime impacts but so many of their children say "dad was always cheerful, never talked about what happened".

AIBU to think that in a few years kids of today will say "wow, that was weird and I'm glad it's over, now let's get one with life" ?

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/health-55468632

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55863841

Trust me it’s having a massive impact on the mental health of teens.

What a stupid question! Of course the effects on children are not being exaggerated!
It is not the same as war, but comparable from my point of view. The number of deads, the draconian rules, constant change, adapting to it all, kept appart from family, all that is present. At least, we do not have the stress of bombings. But we have the stress of knowing we cannot stop or control this pandemic at all.

More than 2 million people in the world have died from covid

I hope that some families will look at how much they were trying to keep up with the Jones’. Some of the parents worrying about their children struggling, just from parents I know, are often the most privileged. They talk about their children being miserable and missing out but that’s due to their reliance before for expensive activities, instead of spending meaningful time playing with their children.

In WW2 children were not effectively locked up and prevented from socialising with their peer group. You cannot compare the experience of children 70 years ago with children today. For a start the school leaving age for most teenagers was 14 so during the war a large percentage of 14-18 yr olds would have been at work, beyond that in military service or reserved occupation. Not stuck at home behind a screen 24/7. Those at school, attended throughout the war.
The stresses involved were very different.
There are many studies about the effects of isolation on various age groups none of which advocate isolation as healthy. Talking to my son’s school’s safeguarding lead they are seriously concerned about all their pupils. Firstly the group that love school and are good socialisers and more concerning, the group that struggle with social interaction at school who are actually enjoying lockdown, but are going to really struggle returning to school.

In the 'quakes, DH always said, 'the worst quake is the worst quake you've been through. Which is a really good way of saying comparison is both unnecessary and pointless. What matters is the individual experience.

For many of our children, the worst crisis they've been through, is the one they are currently going through. And, as with the quakes, they're doing this within their individual contexts of environment, resources, family relationships, physical or mental challenges that were already existing, abuse, neglect, friends or lack thereof. . .

Telling them, 'cheer up luv, could be worse, coulda been in the Blitz' isn't terribly useful.

We're not comparing it with WW2, we're comparing it with 2019 and the immediate years prior.

Some people on this thread seem to have no fucking idea of the realities of war.

Some great points have already been made on this thread.

Also remember that lots of family will have very different lockdown experiences. Some may be shielding, some may be ill, some may have parents trying to work outside the home, some may have parents who wfh, some may have parents who have lost their jobs, some may have sahp, some may have lost family members, some may have parents who are very depressed or anxious, some may still get outside everyday, some may have a strict home school schedule, some may have no education for months.

The inequalities that will emerge from this will be huge. Some kids will bounce back and some will really struggle. Either way the long term impact on children develop and their mental health won’t be known for a long time.

The fact we talk about mental health now is so important. Of course people had poor mental health after WW2, it just wasn’t talked about.

Ummm... Did you know actually any holocaust survivors? I knew a lady who came to the UK on the Kinder Transport and believe me, she was deeply affected and didn't sugar coat the impact it had on her life. She got on a train and never saw her parents again. She didn't have kids due to it. She was an interesting woman but understandably extremely bitter and emotionally shut off.

Your post, comparing the two, as if kids should suck this up as they did (but actually didn't) in a world war is insulting.

Now, whether they're badly affected but Covid and lockdowns will obviously depend on the individual, their age, family set up, network, family finances, siblings, health, prior mental health etc.

Why are you generalising and trying to diminish how some children will inevitably, and understandably, feel?

I don't think it's exaggerated, I think it is a consequence of not building up any sort of resilience in children and young people. Not saying no often enough and the 24/7 nature of social media does not help either.

As for comparisons with WW2 the only one I ever make is that the death toll from Covid 19 in the UK already is twice the number of civilians who were killed by Nazi bombing in the UK.

@IDontMindMarmite

More than 2 million people in the world have died from covid

Still rubbish to compare ....75 million I total died in WW2 alone

@SmudgeButt

Look I have no doubt that lots of kids are missing their friends, school, grandparents. And all of these things will effect their development and mental health. But is it really that bad a situation compared to other things in the past?? Or is it just that we talk about it a whole nauseatingly more?

I'm thinking that the current situation isn't a patch on the effect of living in a country that's at war - thinking back to WW2 and the effect of being suddenly shipped off to strangers in the countryside or even to a different country. Thinking of those children in Europe who suddenly had to fend for themselves in Jewish ghettos or concentration camps.

People that survived (yes a lot didn't as they were murdered) no doubt had lifetime impacts but so many of their children say "dad was always cheerful, never talked about what happened".

AIBU to think that in a few years kids of today will say "wow, that was weird and I'm glad it's over, now let's get one with life" ?

You don’t get to speak for other children’s mental health.

Ah the “I don’t see kids suffering so it must be alright, let’s make general comments about WW2 to show anyone who dares suggest lockdown might not be the panacea to all woes is exaggerating” line of thinking. Not only do I not agree, OP but I think this inability to acknowledge this might be seriously damaging to a lot of children (particularly those in overcrowded flats with no outdoor space and for who school offers opportunities they do not get at home) is going to be just the excuse a very austerity prone government needs to do nothing to help them when this is over. I saw this a lot on Twitter with the “lockdown should be stricter, close schools until COVID is banished” mob. Rather than acknowledging lockdown could cause serious damage while at the same time promoting it as the preferred solution, it was like any suggestion that it might be bad for some could not be entertained- there could be no criticism of lockdown else you were saying we should let the virus “rip through the population” or you “didn’t care about teachers’ safety”. Along with a liberal sprinkling of “all vulnerable children are schooled throughout”, “schools are not closed, children learn just as well from home” and “their mental health will be worse when all their parents, teachers and grandparents die.” So, no, I think a lot of this is “I am alright in my house and garden with my child learning from my laptop at my scrubbed kitchen table and so I assume any suggestion things are otherwise for others must be an exaggeration.”

My 15 year old sister took a massive paracetamol overdose a few weeks back. On the outside, everything was fine with her and she lives with very supportive parents and siblings. This pandemic is having a massive effect on young people and there is in no way comparable to lives in WW1 and 2. Have you spoken to people who were children in this era and understand how they felt at this time? Or just because they “survived” they were ok? My sister survived (by the skin of her teeth), so that means she is fine and dealing with it ok?

Maybe some of the issues were always there but parents are now noticing them due to being more involved in their childrens' lives??

And there's so much being talked about incessantly on the news.

I'm just thinking about the changes on the news about children. Last spring it was the non stop ridiculous chatter about how easy it was for every child to be home schooled (as they all had laptops, good broadband, motivated educated parents with large homes and gardens) and now it's all doom and gloom. Which annoys and depresses me.

No, whomever asked, I'm not particularly all right Jack.

No, I don’t think it’s being exaggerated at all.

Underplayed if anything.

I think the parents dramatising a bad situation is actually making it much worst than necessary

It's shit, but the "stolen childhood" and "being on house arrest" and mummy in tears because she needs her me-time is ridiculously over the top and damaging.

I have two who have plummeted during this. One had been in hospital 4 times, the other has had a complete breakdown. Both are under CAMHs who are inundated. Believe me I did say no, they weren’t spoilt and they are resilient. Covid didn’t cause it for my two but it made it 10 times worse and recovery hugely harder.

CAMHs don’t generally treat children just because their parents didn’t say no.

Look at how many threads: it's too wet, I can't be bothered to get out and leave my children in front of a screen all day because I am bored...

Seriously, it's embarrassing and that's what will hurt the kids.

Even during the war there were massive differences between people's experiences. Both my DGMs were children during WW2, my maternal grandmother lived on a farm out in the country, lots of siblings to play with, school to go to, plenty of food. The war had little impact on her. My paternal GM on the other hand was evacuated, separated from her siblings and obviously had a very traumatic time as she will not talk about it all, any mention of WW2 or evacuation brings tears to her eyes even as a very old lady.

I imagine many kids with well off parents, big house, big garden etc etc may well be fine, for other children things will be very different.

I think if you are really bothered about the negative effects on your children you do SOMETHING about it. You don't waste your days whining about it.

The threat element of WW1/2 was largely visible. Covid isn't visible and it could be anywhere, normal things aren't safe to do, anywhere in the country. You are personally responsible for keeping your loved ones safe, and this is bound to drip down to children when they are told they can't go and see family because they might make them ill.
My grandparents lived through WW2. My grandad still jumps at loud noises and my granny was evacuated to a family in the country who basically used her as a housemaid, and she spent her adult life desperately trying to please others. There were undeniably effects on children of living through WW2 but as PP said, they weren't spoken of.
I really don't like this 'things have been worse before so therefore they can't be bad now' rhetoric. It's such a basic level of thinking.

My 13 yr old loved first lockdown
It was novel, she enjoyed being home,
Now .... I see lethargy, loneliness, low mood, apathy, self isolation even in the household.....
It’s taking it’s toll on kids.
So YABU and totally clueless !!!!!