From my personal experience the are bearing the brunt of this

[Jenkel]

I live in the south east, have one ds at school and one ds just left school, my parents live in the south west, this is based on my personal experience.

Youngest ds was in the gcse year, so massive disruption, lots of nice to do things cancelled, prom etc, amazing school trip for a week cancelled, not in school at all since March and no teaching, he has now gone into sixth form. 2 lots of 2 week self isolation since September, so far remained fit and well.

Oldest ds had an apprenticeship lined up, almost fell through, but thankfully didn’t, holiday with mates cancelled, thankfully no other disruption apart from the enforced 2 sets of 2 week isolation that his brother has had from the school, which has affected the ability to do lots of family stuff.

I lost my job, only part time and have been unable to find another job, not hugely disastrous as dh still working.

Dh working from home non stop since March, it’s ok but has taking a lot of adjusting and does affect us a family. But just grateful he is still working.

2 holidays cancelled this year, summer foreign holiday and due to go to wales in half term,

Actually youngest ds will be on 2nd bout of self isolation from school over half term, 2nd option was to go to south west to see parents but now that’s off.

My parents have had a lovely time, holiday to Cornwall in September, day trips, coffee mornings, they are still getting their full pension, because we are unable to go and see them they are going on a coach trip to the coast. Meeting friends and going out for lunch, etc etc. I don’t begrudge them this at all, I’m pleased they are happy, they are mid 70s, some health issues.

I’m just so traumatised by the 2 weeks self isolation, not eating out, not really meeting friends, trying to avoid unnecessary contact with anybody. Terrified of track and trace even though it’s not really working apparently.

Really worried about ds,s futures, ability of them to find work, ability of them to get through a level course which going on the last term seems horrendous, they both should be out, with friends, exploring, having fun, not stuck at home, thankfully there mental health seems ok, other kids not so.

I don’t know what the answer is, I’m terrified for the future and the damage we are causing to our young, my elderly parents life has carried on a lot more normally than ours, our lives have imploded, not so much as others and thankfully we have all remained well, admittedly if we had caught covid I may be saying something different.

To me and in my own personal family circumstances, the young are taking the brunt of this and I think we should be protecting the young and their futures.

But no idea how

I feel for schools, I think the government has left them with an impossible task, how in earth can they teach like this, why on earth was something better not put in place, we’ve had long enough, I honestly thought that they would have kids in on a rota basis, one week in one week out etc, Ok, it would mean massive work on timetable etc, I’m not saying it would be easy but I think workable. They would reduce the kids in school by half, and more importantly kids would still have a week of actual proper teaching and then a week or revision etc. And may reduce risk of transmission.

I don’t know what the answer is, but I don’t think it’s what we are doing now.

I think I've come to the conclusion that every age group is suffering through this. Toddlers aren't being socialised to the same extent (mother & toddler group I help at isn't running), DS19 at uni isn't having the normal experience but he's in a house with a group of friends and can still meet others outside. I've only visited my mum in her care home once since March (400 mile round trip and it's been in lockdown a lot) - affects her and me greatly. DS yr11 is doing ok but we've told him to do his best but not to worry about grades etc - I'm sure he'll be ok to go on to college (even if he doesn't end up with his best predicted grades) . I also help run a lunch club for the elderly which isn't taking place at the moment so am ringing them instead. The point is, everyone is affected and depending on disposition, could be suffering badly.

I'm hoping it will be just a blip in my kids lives and they will move onwards and upwards.

No, I think people of all ages are suffering. Your parents are not representative of everyone in their age group.

True, this feelings are just on what I see, the impact on young kids, babies, school age children, university age young adults and young adults just just starting out in life, the elderly I see and know seem to be functioning pretty much as normal but I don’t know any elderly people in care homes. And we are not in wales, Manchester, liverpool and all the other areas in severe lockdown.

Changing the subject though, just been out to supermarket, and it’s like the school holidays, the amount of kids around. I thought if kids were sent home they are supposed to self isolate, oh and by the way in our area half term is next week.

Is not being able to eat out really traumatic, or are you just being dramatic?

There are always other education opportunities, so what if they take exams a bit late or go to university after 18. This is such a short period of time. You do your children a disservice when you believe that this disruption will ruin their lives.

@jenkel - our area is also half term next week, but most schools have an inset day today. Some have one on the Monday they are due back.

@Jenkel, it's not just elderly elderly people in care homes, I do some Covid related voluntary work, and some of the elderly people I speak to are really struggling and very isolated. I think it's hard for anyone whose life has been severely restricted though.

@ThomasHardyPerennial I agree! The young people I know are coping pretty well. They aren't happy, but they're plodding on, and a lot more resilient than we give them credit for being.

In my family it’s the very elderly who are suffering because they aren’t digitally connected.

Kids: exams issues yes, but connections with people, no problems. Who knows what awaits them.

Us: very stressed but materially ok.

It’s the same with our friends and their families. Loads of worries about the 85+, everyone else has an iPad or can text. (Before I get jumped on this is the people I know not the entire human population.)

I think everyone is suffering. My folks are clinging on but having a great time through this they are not.

I look after them and elderly neighbours because most are vulnerable health wise and/or are too scared to go out.

I work 15 hour days and am stretched thin but managing (most days) on 4 hours sleep.

My nephew and niece are getting through it as best they can but it isn’t fun for them either. Their schooling has been disrupted and normal childhood has been postponed.

There are varying degrees of people finding it hard but I don’t think it is one group particularly.

I’m not sure any solution would be perfect. There are too many variables.

Strange times.

To ThomasHardyPerennial, no eating out is not a problem, it’s my choice and I chose not too because it’s a risk I chose not to take, if it was a problem to me I would continue to eat out.

I was just giving an example and I am not being dramatic! I was comparing how covid has impacted on my life and how covid has impacted on my elderly parents life and other elderly people that I know.

I am not doing my children or anybody’s children a disservice to be worried about their future and no it’s not just about exams that are a bit late,.

In other areas of the uk I’m sure it’s very different and my parents are elderly but independent and they are still going out and doing the things they want to do and the same for my elderly neighbours and to be honest the same for my friends parents.

I know what you are saying about young people. But honestly, I think ruining their lives is going too far.

It is what it is.

My in laws are having a great old time too though. Always going somewhere at the weekend and staying in hotels. MIL took advantage of the low prices during lockdown and booked up for when they all reopened!

My Ds is about to turn 18, he’s in year 13 at college. He’s hoping to join the police but who knows what will happen. Life is as up in the air as it was before covid. He’s not fussed in himself, he just gets on with it. That’s the attitude you have to instil in them. It does no good to worry about the future too much.

I think just a bit cheesed off, loads planned for summer, all cancelled, thought we could save half term and have a few trips out etc and because ds in lockdown all cancelled again in a tier 1 county. Can’t see family etc etc. And I know some have it far worse than us and for them I am truly sorry, I am extremely grateful we are healthy, this is just my personal experience.

Posted too soon...

OP you sound like you’ve had a rough time of it with losing your job. It’s really hard.

I’ve just a different attitude to a lot of people I think. Its just how things are. And I say that as someone who lives with depression and who is the most miserable, pessimistic person on the planet.

I’ve got a 6 year old to and focused on the positives of schools being shut. She didn’t care less to be honest, just took it all on the chin and enjoyed being at home. I’ve also got a baby and to be fair, baby groups with my other two were more for me than her. It’s not going to affect a baby, it really isn’t (although many people will disagree).

I don’t know what the answer is, but I don’t think it’s what we are doing now

Oh okay, we’ll just stop everything we’re doing now and wait until someone comes up with a better plan.

I’m sorry you’re finding this difficult but everyone is to some extent and believe me you are certainly not taking the brunt of this, not in the circumstances you describe.

My kids missed a few months of school. They’re both there now, both attending out of school classes, both seeing friends. We went on a holiday in the summer. My DPs has to cancel their holidays, their lives have become much smaller. They’re largely at home. In our family they’re the ones who’ve suffered more from the impact of the pandemic. It’s not a generational issue. It’s a pandemic and its effects are everywhere.

I don't believe that the young have begun to suffer fully what is coming down to them in future. I agree with OP, but not from past & present situation, but from the soon future.

The lives of DH's elderly relatives are this year almost exactly what they are normally, just had to rearrange their holiday booking (still went in the end) & saw a bit less of DH & brother. That's it. No other changes actually.

It’s swings and roundabouts

My Daughter 17 is suffering from serious mental health issues. Before lockdown she did suffer from anxiety, but now is really struggling fear of failing exams and another lockdown :(

My MIL mid 70’s has been regularly out and about meals with friends coffee , garden centres , Zumba classes. But won’t see us as she says her grandchildren will kill her by giving her Covid. She hasn’t seen them since last year, husband has been allowed to visit a few times.

I think it sadly affects everyone in different ways and not one group is more affected than another. I know that for very vulnerable people they’ve not left their home’s since March and i know others my Nan for example Covid would likely end her life (lung condition) but she wants to live her life not hiding/worrying behind front door, so as much as she can she lives normal - I won’t go into her house and she gets annoyed with me when I do a social distance visit.

I've got 3 dc, one younger end of secondary, one was GCSE year last year, one currently 2nd year uni.

DD1 has done her work online and found she prefers it that way. She's in a house at uni where they are isolating except for one tutorial a week and the food shop. She spent a good amount of the summer term and summer holidays working at the local support hub. She ended up with quite an important role, which she enjoyed and it boosted her self-esteem and confidence.
DD2 has always had MH issues from a young age. She went into school this term the most relaxed that she's ever been. Her MH has vastly improved with the break. She's also working harder now, which is a difference from before where her MH always got worse when she needed to work hard.
Ds would like to say that the 6 months up to September was the best time he's ever had. He did some online work, a lot of video calls with friends and learnt how to settle down and work by himself.

For all of my youth it has been a positive time and a time when they have matured considerably. My parents have found it far harder.

You can't say it's dreadful for one group and others aren't effected. All have people that are effected, and all have people who have found it beneficial.

Personally I think the most hard done by group are the women whose dh's are now working at home....

I have a friend whose children are really suffering- under the Scottish lockdown, where things are pretty strict. They have out on some kind of Wellbeing hub locally but doesn't seem to be helping much

the youngest has started banging their head against the wall (self harming?) and eldest a teen, waiting for CAMHS support.