Have past experiences influenced how you deal with lockdown

[Meruem]

I was reading a thread earlier where someone said they just can’t deal with the thought their child may be home until September. And I’ll admit I just thought “why?’ Why are people finding all this so hard. But then I thought about my past experiences. I have a DS with ASD who spent months at home until a suitable school place was found. I had some lean years where the only entertainment I could afford during the long school holidays was things like picnics or a cheap cinema deal. Certainly no holidays or expensive activities. I myself spent a year being agoraphobic. So I know how to be happy at home.

However I have also read that people with difficult experiences are scared that lockdown will push them back to how they felt before. I personally don’t feel that fear. While we are all coping with lockdown fine (DC are now adults) we can feel ok about it knowing we can go back to normal at some stage. But at the moment, we’re not really stressed about when that may be.

Do you feel your life up till now has helped or hindered you during these times?

I spent nearly three months on bed rest when I was pregnant with DS. I wasn’t actually in bed but I wasn’t allowed out on my own or to become too stressed due to hypertension. I had several short stays in hospital before going in at 32 weeks and staying in until DS was 2weeks old. I had visitors and the hospital stuff going on around but it was much harder than lockdown.
It’s much easier to relax in your own home and the vast array of internet and digital social contact is fantastic. I couldn’t use my mobile ( pretext and internet) back then (15yrs ago) and was constantly being monitored so no escaping.
I’ve been at home for 7weeks now. The garden looks good and I have started a nice tan. I can grow my nails and paint them. I have returned to work this week but since there is no face to face allowed we are just telephone triaging patients and filling in endless forms. I only work 2.5 days a week and will get paid so I’m fairly content.
As soon as lockdown started I thought back to my difficult pregnancy and decided that since I’d coped with that I could handle this. Pregnancy was far more stressful work wise because I was running my own business and having to cover costs with rapidly dwindling funds. This lockdown is far less financially stressful. Karma perhaps?

I think financial security probably has more to do without, I assume you have no financial worries relating to staying indoors forever? I think I would find it easier if I had a source of income not related to leaving the house it would be the key thing that would make it easier for me.

Not me but my husband grew up under Saddam Hussien in a predominantly Kurdish area that underwent some ethnic cleansing and arabisation. He was regularly under curfew for days/weeks at a time depending on Saddams choice at any given time. He thought he would be fine during any lockdown, having lived through what he endured but even though he fully understands the need and importance of the current lockdown and restrictions it has actually had a negative effect on him by transporting him back to a time of oppression. We have worked out a little daily routine as a family which includes a walk/bike ride and we write down a job or two that can be done the next day which my husband then does, physically writing it helps focus his mind... today he took apart the sections of our corner sofa and cleaned and hoovered, tomorrow it’s paint the front gate. Small jobs but helps him through the day

Again though I think that can also relate to your life up till now. I spent some time raising my DC on benefits. My housing was paid, granted, I had/have SH because of DC (and leaving abusive partner) but at one point we had £100 a week for all bills and food etc for the 3 of us. Hence why I couldn’t afford the aforementioned Activities etc. So I know that In extreme circumstances I can manage on a small income.

Although obviously I do see that housing costs, be it mortgage or rent, are am extreme source of concern for many right now.

@BerryPieandCustard That's so sad. Your poor DH.

Were it not for my DD I'd probably actually quite enjoy lockdown; I'm a bit of an introvert and like being at home. But DD has lost all her nursery friends in one fell swoop. Earlier I heard her playing with her toys acting out a conversation we'd had yesterday when I told her the park was closed.

So, being an introvert has kinda helped me in these circumstances; but having a toddler has made me long for the day she can go back to nursery. It won't be normal for a long time, maybe not ever, but at least she'll be around people other than myself and her Dad.

Sorry if that's incoherent - I've had

Berry, that must be so hard. I’m glad you’re finding ways to help him through