Anyone else have teenagers living their dream life at the moment?

[Makinganewthinghappen]

My 15 year old is “mid assesments” for autism - my 9 year old is autistic and i am fairly surely that my 15 year old is also. I have other children who are not - so it’s fairly easy to see the difference!

15 year old is already homeschooled because of severe difficulties socially at school but I still drag her out each day to various “socialising” events etc because it feels like the best thing to do.

Dh is in a high risk group and we don’t have a garden or any nearby places to walk so we have literally been in our house constantly for the last week.

My 15 year old has never been happier - she has been doing her school work then sitting quietly alone for the rest of the day - for her this is bliss.

I keep seeing people posting on Facebook etc about how their teenagers are missing friends and wanting to go out etc and it’s making me really sad seeing the contrast with my daughter who literally doesn’t give a shit about seeing either other people and doesn’t really even care about seeing me, dh or her siblings.

I know this is a tiny thing and so many people have worse things to worry about!

But I just wondered if I am the only one with a teenager who is overjoyed by the shutdown?

My son 13 is the same

Yep, mine is very happy not to have to go to school. She's got quite a lot of distance learning work to do, but says it's fine because she can do it in her pyjamas with a hot chocolate and go for a wee whenever she wants. Still constantly in touch with her friends online.

Tbh I'm not finding it much of a hardship either. Allowed out in the sunshine to walk the dog once a day. Can't go to work, so the house is clean and tidy, I have lots of time for hobbies and cooking nice food. That doesn't mean I'm any less sad and worried by the situation of course, but I feel lucky that so far I'm able to enjoy my socially distanced life. I feel like it's making me appreciate the little things.

My 9 year old is taking it totally in her stride and very happy at home. Likewise my eldest son who is 3rd year uni - most comfortable in his own company and always has been, so nothing has really changed for him. My 17 yr old daughter on the other hand lives for her friends and her social life, pretty much never stays a whole day in the house until now. She’s hating every minute of this and I’ll be a bit worried about her mental health if this goes on for a long time.

This is so funny.

My kids are also super happy to be at home... They don't even want to walk the dog although they're being dragged out for a run.

And yes, one has ASD, the other is an unsociable little homebody

Neither of mine mind it, both keeping up with school, chatting online with friends occasionally and joining me in the garden for our daily outdoor time and youtube exercise session

My youngest is delighted to no longer have to deal with the drama of school though. She can just chat to friends online and not deal with the mean crowd.

Let's see how they feel in 2 weeks time...............

Eldest (year 10) is happy enough, getting lots of schoolwork to do, comes on a walk, then games online with friends.

Youngest (year 9) is very happy. He thinks "once a day out the house to exercise" is far too much and would happily sit in his room solving Rubik cubes all day.

Yes DD is 14 and happy. Enjoying school work then time on soms/social media in pm. She is FaceTiming and messaging friends. Dog is also loving it.

My dd(13) is definitely living her dream! She’s as happy as Larry holed up in her room. I’ve been encouraging her to FaceTime her best friend which she has done a couple of time s but isn’t itching to.

She has asd. It’s so interesting to see how many children with asd are loving this 😀. My dd finds school unbearable; she’s a different child.

Mine is already into week 3 as she was ill and self isolating for 10 days before school closed.

My home educated teenager was living their best life until now, a boot of exam stress aside.
They're now missing their friends and regular activities,. cooped up with their parents and siblings never going out to give them space, grieving over the likely cancellation of summer plans, as well as dealing with uncertainty over GCSE results and college places for next year.

Right as they were starting to stretch their wings, they've been clipped again.

After a meltdown over the weekend, they're being very stoic now, but it is a worry.

My 15 year old (also mid ASD assessment) is currently in bed crying because she doesn't know what to do.

The 13 year old is fine, though. It is his birthday tomorrow, which is going to be a bit odd, as we can't do the things we normally do. I suggested we have a family party and play musical bumps etc, but he wasn't keen....

My 16 year old is fairly happy, sitting at his computer talking to mates online. His only annoyance is that even though he's y11 and GCSEs are cancelled his school are still setting work and expecting them to do it in order to reach the best grades they can. He's annoyed because his seems to be the only school around doing that - I'm happy with it as it keeps his brain engaged ready for A Levels.

DD 19 is not so happy, she wants to be out and about with friends, missing uni life etc. She hasn't changed out of her pyjamas yet, I believe - doesn't have me nagging her as I'm shielded and staying away! We cross paths in the garden for a drink and a chat then she goes back to her pit and talks to friends on facetime all day and night as far as I can see. She is supposed to be doing some uni work...

Hahaha!

I came on to say me because my 15yo is autistic and thinks social distancing should be made law permanently 😂

My NT 10yo DD & 7yo DS are just loving it. I keep suggested they set up a call with friends or relatives and they're just not interested. I'm surprised as DH & I are both really busy with work so they're not getting any input from us. They're doing their homework quite happily & then just playing. Some tablet/TV time but mainly playing made up games in the garden or doing art & craft type stuff. They're just relishing the change of pace and I wonder if we will review all the activities they do once this is all over ... but they are usually begging to do more.

I think it'll wear thin very quickly for DS (20) . He's realising that doing his coursework at home ( for the degree he's paying £9,250 a year for) is more difficult than going into University .
He's lost his P/T job ( fast food )

My DD ( 17) is waiting to see what the A Level outcome will be , she's due to go to University in Sept .

DH can WFH
I cannot (NHS ) but I'm on planned leave this week.
We're spending time in forced confnement , but they're mainly holed up in their rooms with technology .

Mine is autistic and told me he was made for this, not fazed at all. While there is “his food”, he’ll be happy as Larry

My Youngest teenager has been watching movies all day in her pj’s, she’ll get a shower before bed and change into clean pj’s. She should have been studying for exams but as they are all cancelled and she starts new subjects in August then she says she’s on extended holiday from school! My eldest teenager is at uni and he’s been doing course work when it’s sent and playing his computer for the rest of the time. Long lies and late nights!

Mine is doing fine, a bit of a wobble about not being able to sit GCSE's. Happy that even though her mocks and predictions weren't that great she's able to make a difference now, as her teachers are assessing between now and exam time for the latest up to date levels.
She's gained between 2/3 grades, so is well happy.

Lots of music lessons and messing around with recordings and online gigs.

My ds (14) is having the time of his life. He doesn’t mind school, but would rather stay at home.
Dd(16) is hating every second of it. She misses her friends. However, she has been keeping in touch using Zoom

I’m glad it’s not just me! Dd is generally happiest left alone and always has been - even as a baby she would get annoyed if I tried to hug her too much .

My other children are missing karate etc but are talking to friends online etc. Sadly my 15 year old has never actually been able to make a single friend despite all the encouragement!

I took the kids to a big park today for their allowed exercise and saw a grp of 12-15 teenage boys mucking about together, smoking weed, blasting music out of a mini speaker and dicking around on their bikes.
They certainly seemed to be having a blast.

3 boys aged 12, 13 and 14 living the dream.

Mine is really pissed off that he still has to go to work (and his work seems quite sloppy in protecting employees) but there is no Sky Sport, pubs and McDonalds are shut and he can't see his mates and GF. Also that his mum keeps freaking every time he coughs or sneezes and has sent him to his room!

DS15 couldn't be happier. No school, no PE lessons and no swimming lessons! This is definitely his dream life. He told me he isn't missing his friends at all. I'm enjoying it too tbh. It's great not to have the nagging in the morning to get him out on time and then the nagging in the evening to try and get him to do his homework.

Asd DS aged 5 is in his element. I'm worried because he can't read or write all attempts are met with tantrums but I'm getting there with smartie bribes. He seems SO happy though. Makes me wonder if school is the right place. Eldest NT 9 is fine now we have joined houseparty. He's doing all his lessons and enjoying the lie ins. 2 weeks fine. 4 months of this, not sure.....