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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Are there other kids out there not coping with lockdown?

38 replies

fatface001 · 16/02/2021 21:19

Hi, I’m posting here for traffic I worried about my six-year-old ds. He is an only child but during lockdown/homeschooling is never left alone, I look after him whilst my DH works and vice versa. Not a stressful household he gets lots of playing and attention from us. He does have some sensory overload issues which we are working on, however his behaviour has changed dramatically over the last month. He is very emotional crying and shouting all the time, especially when he doesn’t get his own way. Before this he was an emotional child but polite and nice and generally got on with children very well. I think the absence of socialising has really had affect on him. We have seen two of his classmates recently in the playground and on both occasions it has resulted in him having huge meltdowns, screaming, crying charging round because the children weren’t doing what he wanted. I am doing everything I can to address this before school starts. Aibu To think this is all down to lockdown? Are there other families out there seeing a change in behaviour in their children?

OP posts:
Themanofmydreams · 17/02/2021 09:20

Yes my 9 yr old is really struggling. Angry, grumpy, emotional. I'm worried and just want him back in school.

Forevercurious · 17/02/2021 09:35

My DSS (aged 7) is really struggling, his mum is not coping with his behaviour, reluctant to do school work, generally acting like a toddler at times. He says he misses his friends but has recently started playing out with another child at his mums house, they stay on their bikes so no close contact but he desperately needs a play mate.

He’s with us every weekend and behaves here but his sleep is being affected, not being able to go to sleep, waking frequently.

It’s so unfair on all of the children right now.

Buzzinwithbez · 17/02/2021 09:47

Yes, 3 children.
1 very much outwardly not coping.
2 very down and surpressed and 'coping' on the surface but very much keeping a lid on things.

After lockdown one, it was very clear how much my most resilient child had suffered when I watched their normal exuberance slowly switch back on.
My other child became noise sensitive and developed sensory issues and I worry about how well get them back to baseline again.

The one who is outwardly not coping may bounce back more quickly as they are able to express it in the moment.

Treaclepie19 · 17/02/2021 09:56

My 5yo is struggling. We've always suspected additional needs but now he's hitting more, shouting, growling, flapping and has developed a nonsense word he repeats regularly 😔

Symbion · 17/02/2021 10:05

It's so so tough on them, especially only children I think no matter how brilliantly they are parented.

I think @LadyCatStark 's advice is very good. Our son is autistic and anxious, but also a bit older than yours (12) and he has learned to manage his anxiety with a LOT of exercise and squishing himself down into corners. He is also a big fan of timetables. Hitting himself is a sign he's overloaded. He's also having heaps more computer time and watching pointless videos on YouTube than we'd ever have allowed before, and that brings its own downsides, but needs must.

For self esteem find some things they can feel proud of every day, even if it's just laying the table with no fuss or reaching a step count.

LadyCatStark · 17/02/2021 11:42

[quote Zolrets]@LadyCatStark thank you so much for the advice. I think I have done the OPPOSITE to what you suggest. He chews his headset (I stop him), he chews his pen (I stop him), he brings little toys and gets totally engrossed in fiddling and not listening (I take the distracting object away). Sounds like he needs the outlet. He has some proper fiddle toys so I will get them out for next week and see if they help. He does get some exercise when his dad takes him for a walk but no where near what he was getting in school.[/quote]
No worries, oh yes it does sound like he needs the sensory input if he’s chewing too. Try to remember it’s a need not just an annoying habit 😂 you can get proper chewing toys such as a Chewigem if you think he has a high level of need or offer him crunchy snacks such as carrot sticks or chewy things like dried apricot or even just jelly sweets.

But yeah definitely a box of fidget toys on the table that he knows he can access whenever he likes might help I hope 😊 x x

DancingQueen85 · 17/02/2021 18:35

Very similar story with our DC, also aged 6. Half term has been awful so far, lots of tears and shouting. At least school work gave us a bit of structure

stripyrainbow · 17/02/2021 20:23

My only 7 yo the same. I also think the extra screen time for schooling is not helping her whatsoever. She already had tantrums when overusing the iPad and now school pretty much does all day on it.

Half term is better but we have still also had I've got a tummy ache the whole way through the week and sleeps nights too.

I also find it hard to take her out as the days are still quite short and I work all day. Poor dc eh. But I do think everyones got it tough. I'm hoping she forgets this time and moves on once we can socialise again. Even if we can socialise with even one friend I'll be happy!

stripyrainbow · 17/02/2021 20:24

Sleepless night I meant

stripyrainbow · 17/02/2021 20:24

Sleepless night I meant

Rainydayss · 17/02/2021 22:32

Do your DC struggle more on a night? My DD has had another meltdown, couldn't explain why she was stressed, just sobbing. It's awful. It's probably hormones too I guess, she's 10

millymollymoomoo · 17/02/2021 22:39

Mine are older 12/14 but are really struggling
Not only with zoom lessons ( where they struggle to concentrate/interact) but it’s the lack of sport, groups, friendships, they can’t go anywhere or do anything !
They’ve lost motivation for everything
Watching them lose their zest for life is utterly heart breaking

Beansprout30 · 17/02/2021 23:45

My 4.5 year old is behaving more like a two year old. She’s totally reconnected with her comforter she had as a baby and talks about it non stop. She was getting so independent after starting school, now she won’t dress herself or do simple things like peel her banana. She’s really taken a step backwards. Praying she bounces back one she’s back at school it’s so sad to see

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