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AIBU?

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Original poster

To want to hear about those kids/teens who are stoically getting on with lockdown

450 replies

DuchessFerrara · 04/02/2021 09:29

Not taking a pop at young people with SEN or MH issues. It must be heartbreaking to watch them endure the isolation and frustration of lockdown.

I would like to hear about the DC who, like my Yr11, don't feel as though their lives have been decimated. Aren't aggrieved to be making sacrifices for the "oldies". Don't feel their education has been wasted because their exams have been cancelled.

I'd love to hear about those DC who are knuckling down to their studies without too much complaint, are optimistic for the future and are - for the most part - pleasant to be around.

OP posts:
LibrariesGiveUsPower45321 · 04/02/2021 09:32

I think they are a minority. It’s not about Underlying SEN or MH anymore, this is affecting kids with no underlying issues, and is affecting all but the most mature and stoic.

unicornparty · 04/02/2021 09:33

My ds11 is like this. He's very laid back all the time so nothing worries him or upsets him. He never complains ever. He does all of his set school work and even spends extra time on it. He works on his own on it from 9am to 4pm most days with a short lunch break.
He really enjoys learning and not having the distraction of other children in class.
He chats online with his friends so doesn't feel like he's missing them too much. We walk for hours and run 5k together a lot so get plenty of air and exercise.

Whatisthisfuckery · 04/02/2021 09:35

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goldpendant · 04/02/2021 09:35

My 7yr old has surprised me. Last lockdown was hell with him but this time around he's the happiest he's ever been.

He has moments when he hates Covid (and wants to "punch it") but he understands why we are keeping our elderly population safe and seems resolved to do his bit.

He has the odd strop about missing his friends but he realises this is not forever. I'm very proud of him.

MistleTOEboughski · 04/02/2021 09:37

My dd has had some struggles, she was in year 11 in lockdown 1 and was in the first group to get her GCSEs cancelled so she was upset about that and worried about what would happen and missed her friends. She's now on to A levels and is coping much better, working hard on her studies and chatting to friends online. She does miss school and says she finds the online lessons more mentally draining than lessons in person, but overall she is now quite positive.

SoupDragon · 04/02/2021 09:37

DD is the same. I have been so surprised at how she's just got on with it. With no complaint at all!

I have no idea why she's found it so "easy" though. I imagine it is down to luck, a good group of friends to socialise with online and the fact that very little has changed other than location for her studies and extra curricular things. We have been very, very lucky and it is heartbreaking to see, through MN, how others are suffering.

TeenMinusTests · 04/02/2021 09:38

Kids that are getting on with it don't make threads, because the parents don't have anything they need to get off their chest.

I'm sure there are a lot of kids at a lot of schools who are quietly getting on with it. DD's school seems to be doing a pretty good job. Shame she can't access it but she isn't the type you want to talk about here.

User2378901 · 04/02/2021 09:39

My dd is 11 and gets on with her work without much complaint. She’s not doing anything more than the bare minimum though.
It actually worries me that she doesn’t seem to be missing her friends or normal life. It’s like she’s given up really.
At the weekends she reads and does crafts. Sometimes I can drag her out for a walk.
We’ve had so many disappointments that she just expects things to be cancelled /go wrong now.

lughnasadh · 04/02/2021 09:40

Mine is loving it.

He can and does meet up with one other person at a time, they walk for miles.

He's always online with friends. Can't wait for driving lessons and Explorers etc. to start up again, but is enjoying the laid back lockdown.

There's a whole world just waiting to start up again, and he'll be raring to go, but he's loving this time of no stresses/demands too.

MechantGourmet · 04/02/2021 09:41

Mine are; they just get on with it. Dh and I have been WFH since march, both in key worker jobs that are incredibly full-on. DH used to WFH when they were younger, so they're already in the habit of not disturbing people when they're working. They're still fairly sociable with us (15 and 12) and we usually eat every lunch and supper together in any case, even pre-pandemic.
They both like (and miss) school, and are well trained from primary at just getting what needs to be done done.

I'm very fortunate, I know. There was an huge impact on my time last march, and I was working crazy hours to get everything done around their schooling, but their school has been good at adapting to online learning, and we're just all used to it now.

My youngest would have school like this permanently, tbh. No commute, no early rising, no uniform, less homework...he is happy.

HUCKMUCK · 04/02/2021 09:41

My DS 15 is doing ok BUT he is not really a high flyer at school and so he’s getting by doing as little as possible.

He talks to his friends via the Xbox every day and has watched a fair few films. He’s pretty chilled and happy.

My only issue is trying to get him to exercise.

MakeMineALarge1 · 04/02/2021 09:41

I am really proud of my 12 year old, he is desperately missing his friends at school, misses going on the bus and the interaction from his teachers.
But he is loving the later mornings, he was up at 7am, now up at 8.30. He keeps in touch with his friends via his play station.
We go for walks at the weekend and take 1 friend.
He is just getting on with it.
We had parents evening last week and he is doing really well . I am so proud of him.

My daughter who is 21 has also managed to get 3 jobs during lockdown and is now starting a full time job next week in a field directly related to her degree. She has missed out on so much last year, her 21st, her graduation, plans to go travelling etc, but has knucled down with job hunting to save up for when she can do these things.

Camomila · 04/02/2021 09:41

DS1 is only 4 but but apart from his 5 minute moan at the beginning of each set of home learning he always tries his best and always wants to do the extra challenges at the end to make his teacher happy.

(The school has been very good at marking, he gets so excited by virtual stickers/getting housepoints).

It helps that his sense of time is still a bit vague...I get lots of "in summer when its not coronavirus can we..."

Worst thing for him is its hard to get him tired enough to sleep well...DH and I both working, only manage 1h walks on weekdays. He needs an all day hike! (or some DC to play with)

SlothWithACloth · 04/02/2021 09:42

Mine are getting on fine too. They are missing their friends and the things they used to do, but getting on with it.
I have a yr 11 too and he’s knuckling down to work so he can stay at school for 6th form. It is stressful at times and there are the odd meltdowns and slamming doors but they sort it out.

aquamarine1 · 04/02/2021 09:42

I'd be surprised if the at wasn't a small minority of children. My kids' lives have been turned upside down - going from 5 clubs/hobbies a week plus busy weekends with friends and family to seeing one friend twice a week. I imagine the slower pace might suit some children but definitely not mine.

Anchoredowninanchorage · 04/02/2021 09:43

My kids ( year7 & 10) are getting on with it really. The younger had struggled last year with working most of year 6 at home with limited resources from primary school but after moving back to secondary and having live lessons & teams has found learning at home much easier without 29 other kids messing around!
We are near a park so they have a stroll after school finishes. My only concerns are screen time things really and that they do miss their friends and learning practical skills , DT and so on.

WithASpider · 04/02/2021 09:45

DD2 is yr11 too, calmly getting on with her work and chatting to her friends online. She'd like to see them, but it's not the end of the world. Parents evening last night said they're all very happy with the way she's engaging in lessons and doing work. We're satisfied she's doing well.

DD1 is yr12 and struggling. She has MH issues but is getting lots of support from college. Her tutors are amazing.

DS is 11 and wants his yr6 leavers party, the rest he can take or leave!

TheChip · 04/02/2021 09:45

Age 10, 12 and 16 are all managing it really well.

My 12 year old has complained twice about not being able to see his friends. He does really wish he could be back at school and is frustrated that he can't be.

My 10 year old is so laid back and just breezes through everything. I personally think this is where the impact will lie, because it will cause great anxiety upon returning to school. I had a hell of a time getting him back after last lockdown, and just as he was feeling comfortable with the change, they close the schools again.

16 year old is not really a one to want to be out much anyway, but is still in school due to SEN. He has had the odd bike ride with a friend. He is annoyed with the whole exam situation.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 04/02/2021 09:45

Most days, I would say my children are fine. And they, on the surface. But there are cracks under the surface.
They do they school work. They have fun together. Then they say random things which show the whole story.

dancinfeet · 04/02/2021 09:45

My 16 year old (1st yr 6th form) is getting on with it no complaints. She didnt budge out of bed 1st lockdown when her gcses were cancelled, this one she is now at college, loving her course, chatting to her friends online and appreciating that she doesnt have a hefty commute to complete whilst its winter (normally 2 hrs each way). Lockdown 1 she wasn't great though, really down and sad. Better this time.

CallistoSol · 04/02/2021 09:47

I dont think they are a minority at all. DD and all of her friends (Y11) are getting on with it. They are a bit bored and a bit lonely, but they have regular after school zoom meet ups and DD has loads of plans for the future. The school is fantastic, the workload is high but manageable, the worst thing is not knowing yet how exactly her GCSE's will be graded.

MarshaBradyo · 04/02/2021 09:47

Ds yr11 much prefers live lessons so is better than summer term.

He sounds good these days, a marked contrast, and the feedback is very different.

Tg it changed from random PowerPoint docs etc

ShowOfHands · 04/02/2021 09:47

DD managed last time as she's a studious, extremely able and self-motivated learner. This time, she's at school and finding it far harder. She is one of 3 children catching a coach to school (all sitting separately), wears a mask for 7hrs a day and talks to nobody bar one child and a cover supervisor at a distance whilst on school property (5 other dc in and they sit in different rooms). She is tested twice weekly and says school is a ghost town. Really not easy.

MrsHusky · 04/02/2021 09:47

My two have had a couple of wobbles and yr7 DD misses her friends and her girlfriend.

DS is yr 9 and autistic, so still attending school, so life is nominally 'normal' for him, he goes to a Special School and they're working hard to maintain the routine for the kids as best they can.

DD is doing most of her school work without complaint, she's had the odd moment, but nothing huge.. and i dont expect perfection.

TBH, i'm probably moaning about it more than they are as i'm missing my friends horribly and crying about it most days >.

JustNotFunAnymore · 04/02/2021 09:48

We have ups and downs. For the most part my y7 and y10 children are just getting on with school work but. However it does seem to hit them once a week or so when they are really upset and need us to hug them and tell them it will be ok.
I will see it worse when they have to go back as dd started having panic attacks when they went back after the first lockdown.