How are your young children coping with lockdown?

[Misty9]

Dd, just 6, is struggling she misses her friends, hates not being able to touch anyone/thing except her dad, brother and me, and I think she often forgets the reasons for all this so probably resents needing to do these things without really understanding, iyswim? The work the school sends home takes her about 10mins so even that isn't much of a distraction. She's definitely become more clingy - but I welcome the cuddles tbh as I'm alone half the week when they're at their dad's.

Ds is 8 but has extra needs. His behaviour has tanked with the lack of structure but he seems to be coping better apart from that.

How are your young ones coping?

Disclaimer : I'm not saying lockdown should be lifted because dc are struggling. Just wondering how other young children are getting on. And acknowledging how strange this must all be for them.

Mine are both doing fine, one is reception one at pre-school nursery. Weirdly haven't asked much about school or nursery friends or teachers. They don't want to FaceTime relatives or Zoom their classmates, they really hate any online sessions I've booked for them so given up on that. Hate Joe Wicks type things. I find it odd but they are happy with our daily routine. Start with a lie in til 8-9, which is amazing after years of them waking us at 5-6! They'll be watching Spongebob or Peppa for a bit while me and DH do some wfh, then doing some phonics or numeracy with me while DH keeps working, then an hour or so walk in the afternoon with all of us. School have been crap at providing work for my reception age kid so I bought workbooks he seems to enjoy. We've gone from such an active life with full days in school, clubs and sports etc, weekends packed with family or activities, that I still can't believe they're not reacting more to it. I keep waiting for the shit to hit the fan, but so far so good.

It's hard work for my 3 yr old DS we were awaiting on speech and language sessions for him.
He was attending pre school three days a week which was helping him.
We were also waiting on a paediatrician to see him to asses whether he has any learning disabilities such as autism.
It's hard going for us because he loves being outside all the time doing things.
Our DD is 1 years old it's not so bad for her because she knows no different but at same time I feel bad for both my children I can't take them swimming to parks days out to see grandparents uncles and aunties friends etc at times I resent the lockdown for what it's taken away but I understand why it's had to be done I just hope the government allow us some freedom back in the choice to make if we move about or whether we decide to stay indoors which neither I would judge anyone for picking to do based on their own needs whether that's shielding a vulnerable person at their home or whether someone wants to be able to go out more than once a day because of mental health issues I do think the government needs to give that choice back to people.

My youngest is only 11 months so not too bothered. My eldest is almost 4 and he is definitely struggling. He asks me a lot why everything is closed and why does he have to stay in the house all day. We are lucky because we have a garden and a big trampoline but he very much misses his grandparents and playing with other children.

He is due to start reception in September and it does worry me that if he isn’t able to return to nursery beforehand it will be a very difficult transition for him. I am also due back at work next month from my mat leave and at that point I’m not entirely sure what we will do.

My youngest isn't. We are actually pretty worried about him and its increasing the pressure on the family as a whole.

But we are not allowed to be worried. We are not allowed to be concerned. Because people are dying. So our children should not be of a concern to us. They will be fine and children are adaptable and bounce back quickly.

I don't know how people know this, i hope they are right although these times are unprecedented.

I hope this does not have any long term impact on my happy, socialable little boy.

That's good to hear most people's young dc are doing okay. But I agree with the "not thriving" comment. I was thinking last night, this is tough for us but it's turned their little worlds upside down especially when they've only just started to make friends and get used to school etc. I must try a bit harder to instil some structure into our days but I go from not having them and being totally alone, to having them and their unrelenting needs. So it's an adjustment for me as well every time! I'm very thankful that I could change my hours and not need to do much work when they're here. That was a disaster when I tried it.

@Hadenoughfornow sounds hard how is he reacting to make you worried?

@2beautifulbabs it has been declared that children with extra needs can go out for exercise more than once if that's what they need. I hear you though, it's really hard with kids with extra needs at the best of times

My dc are 4 and 7 and they are not bothered at all! Dh and I are also home full time so they literally have our undivided attention. They are happy playing in the garden, climbing trees and building things in the garden (so far we have put up another tyre swing, made monkey bars and a gymnastics beam 🤣) neither of them have really asked for friends or to go anywhere...they seem to be easily please with our company which is strange but nice!!

DD5 is really missing her friends (only child) she has become very clingy and emotional. Her dad is not taking her at present as he feels the risk is too high as he is still working...
I'm grateful for the nice weather in th garden and keeping a routine for her and making things fun, but it's hard. I worry about her

Teen DS is sleeping through it.

I'm not going to go into specifics but just some extreme reactions to some things.

Started when schools closed.

We are trying to manage them as best as we can but I think the best medicine would be school.

I said to my friend the other day, 'I'm worried about my dds mental health' - that is something I never EVER thought I would say about my 5 year old. She is just like me, thrives from social interaction, loves being around other people. Yesterday she was emotional all day, lots of tears and complete meltdowns over nothing. She seems much happier this morning so far. I am lucky in the sense that oh is still at work so over the weekend when he is home it changes the dynamics and feels different to the week days.

My eldest child is mainly taking it in her stride. She understand more. 5 year-old, doesn't really have the same understanding. Which I guess plays a part.

Mine(4,7 and 9) are fine, we home ed which really helps because they are used to doing work for me and I am used to planning it so that bit is normal for us.
They are missing their groups, swimming and friends and being able to get out and about each day to different places. I am making sure they do enough to burn off their energy or else it would be much harder so we are going to the woods every day plus running around and scooting and Youtube workouts. I’m glad the weather has been dry or it would be much harder.

I think having a nice garden and house makes a huge difference. We're in a tiny terrace that was only supposed to be a stopgap after I split with exh. And the garden is north facing and tiny. Dd regularly tells me she prefers her dad's house (he's bought again already)

My 3 Yr old is struggling. We live in a flat so no outside shop pace and the poor little bugger has had to cope with losing all the days out he is used to along with a 3 week old brother and a post section mum who can't run around the way I used to! All very confusing for him and we are having a fair few tantrums.

He has been bored with our short walk to the park and has desperately needed something more. The last week has been a bit better as we have done some longer walks with scooter and gone to feed the ducks but the paths near our flat are very busy and narrow and my DH gets anxious when we are out as many prep pre don't appear to even try to keep 2m apart.

My DS is desperate to go to the beach, he asks every day. When I saw the police guidance I thought we might be able to do it as we are only a 10 minute drive from the sea but are in Scotland and police Scotland have confirmed that as far as they are concerned travelling for exercise is a no go so that is out.

Will be honest really hoping this stage of lockdown ends soon. He was a very shy little boy and we had started him at nursery in January for half days, 4 days a week. After a difficult start he had settled really well and was doing brilliantly. I'm worried this is going to set him right back.

We’re fine. My eldest (7) loved it for a while, is still reasonably happy but missing her life and friends now. Younger 2 (3 and 2) are perfectly ok; youngest actually far happier and easier now she’s not as exhausted as usual. We have a tiny garden but have used the space well so there’s stuff for them to potter about with, and lots of green space around us so are getting out into the woods most days. I’m quite laissez-faire; we’ve all but given up on schoolwork for the eldest (although doing a tiny bit when it fits into the day), screen time is still limited but much more relaxed than usual (screens off 10-4 but beyond that they can knock themselves out) and I’m not sticking to a schedule or feeling guilty about any of it, so we’re having quite a nice time really. I’m bored to death and desperate to go back to reality, but that’s more about me than them!

6 year old DS is fine he has school work for routine and can talk to his friends through xbox. I think he will struggle to go back to school though.

3 year old is even more stroppy than usual (didn't think this possible but apparently it is!). She has good moments but really misses nursery and my parents. She really hates that DH and I are working from home and cries whenever she sees our laptops coming out. We have both always wfh a lot but obviously she is usually at nursery so doesn't see it so it is very strange to her.

I have a 19 month old and a 4 month old. They both dont have a clue what is going on but my older one is definately missing my mum and her little toddler friends from nursery. I take them on a walk everyday and The only thing my DD seems upset about is that the swings and slide are closed, she doesnt understand we cannot go in there cue meltdown! Cannot wait for this to be over.

My youngest is 3, have noticed the last week or so that his behaviour is getting worse more tantrums etc. He’s usually at preschool 3 days a week and he’s so sociable i think that’s why he’s struggling. When we go out for our walk he shouts “hi” at anyone he sees because he’s sick of us 🙈

Older children are 12 and 13, they are fine, in fact I think they are enjoying it!

@Misty9 unfortunately we are waiting on an assessment for my DS we were in the middle of getting it all sorted before lockdown so sadly without any paper work to go by I very much doubt we would be allowed out more than once 🥺 as it may look like we are bullshitting to just get out more but thank you

Absolutely fine. Have adapted well.

Not so good I have to say.
DD 8 is an extrovert and normally really upbeat. We've had a few emotional outbursts this week and cries of "I wish covid 19 didn't EXIST!". We're lucky enough to have a garden and a woods at the back, but she has to be practically forced to come on a dog walk. She'd play minecraft all day if I let her.
I've been really slack about getting other mums numbers before the pandemic, as we aren't from the area, and live next door to the park, so all her friends, who go to different schools, are usually just on there. Or at brownies, or swimming etc. In my head it's just one long zoom meeting for all the other kids in her class. I had one number, and I messaged the mum yesterday and she invited us round to her house as a solution! Which, obviously, we didn't do.
DH is a key worker and quite stressed/exhausted when he gets in, so I'm ending up having to try and jolly him along too.
I'm getting quite upset typing this, I don't want to be ungrateful, we're lucky compared to so many, but I just want my daughter to be happy and healthy.

My almost 4 year old is doing fine but definitely missing the opportunity of making friends. He had just started to form little friendships at nursery.
In the last week he's started talking about a 'friend' who he's playing with at certain times who is completely imaginary!
I'm not sure if it's because of the lockdown or would have happened any way?
It's quite cute either way.

I think the eldest quite enjoys home schooling. The other three miss school. We have a garden and a long drive which helps a lot. So the eldest two hop on their bikes and cycle down for a play on the swings/ hammock and a spot of tree climbing when they want a bit of space/ freedom.

Lots of benefits to being rural will be glad to get them all back to school though.

Dd17 is a bit rudderless, finished school now, so no school work or exams to be dealing with, she's been put on furlough from her part time job, and no college.
Ds13 is quite happy and content - his life hasn't changed much, he's home educated for health reasons anyway, and he doesn't really like people, so me not forcing him out to home Ed groups etc is a good thing as far as he's concerned.
Ds6 is up and down, he's missing his friends and teachers, but he's loving the free access to lego!
Dd6 is miserable, she hates missing school, I'm a rubbish teacher apparently, I'm not as good at cooking as the school cooks, and she's desperately missing her friends.
Dd4 is over the moon that she doesn't have to talk to people, she doesn't have to go to nursery, she can stay in her jammies all day (I've given up), and all of her favourite people are here to cuddle all day long.

I can see trying to get ds13 and dd4 to return to a life where they have to talk to people and go places is going to be an absolute nightmare, this is like their wishes come true!
I have concerns about the long term effects on all of their mental health, this is going to have ramifications for years, on all dc, no matter how well they appear to be coping.