To find storm triggers horrible lockdown memories?

[GrendelsGrandma]

It's only a few hours in with the kids but I've found it really, really difficult.

Aibu to think I have pent-up lockdown rage left over that's been triggered by all this? I'm fine with the kids when we can do something, being shut up indoors with no say about it has made me feel disproportionately gloomy and angry! Anyone else?

@ACNHlife

I actually enjoy being indoors with my kids a lot more since lockdown. But then in lockdown I ditched the hand wringing qnd pearl clutching about screens and devices and just accepted there are some days when it's ok to spend 8 hours in your PJ'S watching cartoons.

This definitely. DD1 had home learning for the day but I decided she could have a chill day. She’s really exhausted from a bloody long term and wants a day in her pjs on the iPad and playing with the toys she got for Christmas and her birthday.

@BobbinHood

I fully understand what you mean, OP. Lockdown was the first time for a lot of us we’d experienced such a lack of agency over our own lives and activities, it was awful and stressful and relentless, particularly for people who had to work from home with small children. It’s not surprising that anything that reminds you of that horrible time will engender feelings of anxiety or cabin fever.

Am sure someone will be along to take me to task for suggesting lockdown wasn’t a wonderful opportunity to take a step back and ‘enjoy’ a slower pace of life while getting precious quality time with my DC - but that wasn’t my experience and I hate feeling anything that takes me back to that time.

I agree and I hope we get some time between us and that time without experiencing it again

It nothing like lockdown,it’s seriously bad weather & possible hopefully over in 24 hrs

@RedCandyApple

I do find it a bit odd that people on MN seem to struggle to stay indoors with their kids even for one day, I’ve noticed it a lot on here irl I don’t know anyone that insists taking their kids out every single day. It’s ok to stay indoors sometimes!

I love having nowhere to be and nothing to do but the second I’m told I have to stay in, I immediately need to get out. I’m the same even when waiting for a delivery.

I also have a very energetic toddler who gets so bored of our living room and DH works in the dining room so nowhere else for us to be.

Yes me too. I felt irrationally angry when I heard on the radio that they were asking people to stay at home due to the storm. It definitely triggers a post lockdown reaction in me.
Fortunately we have missed most of the rain and wind where we live and have been out at a trampoline park and restaurant today (teacher training day)

@ThatsNotMyGolem

PTSD? Really? From staying at home?

My brother has PTSD from being shot at by the Taliban.

PTSD from staying at home with tv and food is a bit much really. My god I’ve had some hard times in my life. Lockdown and storms do not bother me in the slightest. It’s not just about resilience, I think this is about a lot of people being incredibly fortunate and leading easy lives. For those of us who have really struggled it’s hard to hear people complaining about staying home with a toddler.

@mumda

I believe strongly that children need to have nice indoor hobbies for rainy days.

The ability to occupy yourself quietly is actually a really essential skill for all of us.

When I was about 8, I remember trying to persuade my parents that we weren't getting our money's worth out of the holiday cottage we were staying in by leaving it for hours outside every day. I think I just wanted to chill out with board games!

@RedCandyApple I also wonder about the of money people must have if they spend every day at weekends and school holidays out all day!

[quote LightfoldEngines]@RedCandyApple I also wonder about the of money people must have if they spend every day at weekends and school holidays out all day![/quote]
A fair bit is free here for a four year old

Park or museum

Yes, reading 'people have been asked to stay at home' in the news made me feel very twitchy, and earlier the lack of normal traffic noise replaced by regular sirens put me right back to lockdown 1 with a shiver.

@MarshaBradyo park? All day? In February?

[quote LightfoldEngines]@MarshaBradyo park? All day? In February?[/quote]
I wouldn’t say all day exactly but yes can be a few hours but sure to park in February

At one point in lockdown it was exercise only and we got out - always. Even in snow etc

[quote LightfoldEngines]@RedCandyApple I also wonder about the of money people must have if they spend every day at weekends and school holidays out all day![/quote]
Exactly, even the travelling to these places often cost money unless you happen to live right next to a museum 😏 we went to the park yesterday and it was freezing none of my kids enjoyed it and was asking to go home after half an hour, never mind taking toddlers out twice a day every day 😂 that sounds like hard work!

I'm not sure how you can know what struggles people posting here have experienced?

Also no one is saying this is the hardest thing anyone has ever done. Just that it brings up difficult feelings. I don't see why you have to be competitive about it.

And staying home with a toddler for a day is not what we're talking about, is it? It's the memory of months and months on end at home with young children (a baby and a toddler in my case, now a toddler and primary school child) not knowing when it would end, often juggling work as well.

I find it how people talking about having a feeling (this brings back difficult memories) results in people saying 'well that's pathetic'. It's a feeling, not a claim of having objectively the worst experience ever.

I know how to keep small children entertained indoors, it's not the practicalities I struggled with today, it's the emotions.

@RedCandyApple

I do find it a bit odd that people on MN seem to struggle to stay indoors with their kids even for one day, I’ve noticed it a lot on here irl I don’t know anyone that insists taking their kids out every single day. It’s ok to stay indoors sometimes!

Well obviously.

But what OP is on about - clearly - is that just like in lockdown, she is feeling FORCED to stay at home.

That is entirely different from CHOOSING to have a quiet day at home.

[quote LightfoldEngines]@MarshaBradyo park? All day? In February?[/quote]
But you don't have to be out all day...

Get up, take coffee for you, hot chocolate for the kids and a snack, and have them run about for a couple of hours - then home, lunch and quiet time or a nap.

Forced to stay home by weather that is likely going to major issues in multiple ways for a lot of people (like Agnes) - boo fucken hoo.

Honestly.

@fairylightsandwaxmelts I’m not dim, I have small children myself and live in a city centre so I’m well aware of the amenities - pointing out that OP is just missing out on a few hours makes me sympathise even less.

Mine were on home learning today and it really did feel strange to be doing it again. Can't describe the feeling really.

Just on PTSD... clearly having to juggle home schooling with working, being furlough, being made redundant, having to isolate, children having to isolate, holidays and days out cancelled, living with confusing guidelines aren't comparable to being shot at by the Taliban.

BUT, many, many people did feel that their ability to cope was overwhelmed during lockdown, at least at times. Many, many people haven't been able to fully process their experiences at this time and we've all become aware that life is more uncertain and unpredictable than most of us would have ordinarily taken for granted.

It's completely understandable that the warnings to stay inside have touched on some of the difficult emotional impact that lockdown had for many, and probably good for people to know that they're not the only one feelings like that.

@LightfoldEngines

Forced to stay home by weather that is likely going to major issues in multiple ways for a lot of people (like Agnes) - boo fucken hoo.

Honestly.

@lightfoldengines I'm not asking for sympathy. I found it interesting that I had that reaction and wondered if others did too.

Talking about a feeling is not the same as claiming it's the worst thing anyone has ever experienced. Can you manage a little nuance?

Yes, I'm glad I'm not flooded or had my roof blown off. Are you only allowed to post on here it you've had the worst time ever?

@ThatsNotMyGolem

PTSD? Really? From staying at home?

My brother has PTSD from being shot at by the Taliban.

This. Have a word with yourself.

Yanbu. I could quite happily spend the day at home watching tv but dc3 and dc5 need to go out and get a decent amount of exercise otherwise they will go stir crazy and not sleep tonight. We have also been set online learning. Mine will read books but I'm not making any of them sit at a computer and do maths and English work, no way am I doing that again.

I get exactly what you mean OP, it's brought up past memories and feelings, and they're uncomfortable. It's really good you're able to analyse them, and acknowledge them.

Last I knew, people were allowed to feel how they felt, about whatever, they didn't have to justify it.

Should I tell my daughter to have a word about coming downstairs to sleep because her PTSD was triggered by the sounds of the storm sounding like the severe earthquakes she experienced? After all, it's not like she was shot at by the Taliban. . .

I get what you mean but my trigger is going for a walk.

This winter I don't think we've made the kids go for a walk once; the memories of tramping the fucking freezing same old streets over two winter lockdowns has not left me yet.

When I mention it to my daughter she gets her 1000 yard stare