Will we really be locked down after Christmas? I’m so sad :(

[PositivelyFooked]

DD’s second birthday is on 31st December; last year was spent in lockdown. This year is looking to head the same way.

I initially stopped keeping up with the news on covid. Now the majority are fully vaxxed I just think it’s all a bit ‘what’s the point’ (especially after no. 10 party and laughy-llegra making a tit of us all).

But I mentioned to my mum that I was thinking of booking the sea life centre to take DD for the day for her birthday and how excited I was to actually celebrate it this year. She’s told me to hold off booking because it’s likely we’ll be back in lockdown. I’m so gutted I can’t even put into words. We’ve not got to properly celebrate her birthday yet since she’s been born and I can’t help but wonder if this will become a pattern of events for the next few years.. new strain mutated, spend Christmas galavanting then lockdown immediately after.

New Year’s Eve is a shit day to be born, let alone when your birthdays are spent in a lockdown.

I know technically it’s for the best. But I can’t help but think the majority are vaccinated; would this be the case if 100% of the population was vaccinated.. or are we just suffering at the hands of those who aren’t. I’m totally pro-choice and didn’t care about who is or isn’t vaccinated, but now I’m just peed off with anyone who isn’t contributing their bit to beating covid.

Another home party just the 3 of us then

Honestly no-one knows.

However is there is one thing I’ve learnt both through the 2 years of pandemic and the 6 years of parenting that preceded it, is that the magical moments with children often aren’t the carefully orchestrated and planned ones. Seize joy in the little things.

I remember taking my DS to an aquarium at that kind of age thinking he would be enchanted and he spent the entire time bolting off or tantruming - honestly one of the most stressful and frustrating days of parenting I remember, made worse by having high expectations of it.

My youngest had his 3rd birthday at the start of lockdown 1. We all had covid, I could barely stand up to make them a sandwich for lunch never mind making a birthday cake.

So we just pretended it wasn’t his birthday, and on a sunny day when we were all feeling a bit better then it was suddenly Birthday Day. Just us (though the neighbours sang happy birthday over the fence), a few presents, a tiny pass the parcel and a game of musical bumps. It was in the middle of the great lockdown flour shortage so his birthday cake was basic to say the least, and decorated with a homemade cake topper made from cereal packets and kitchen foil. Honestly it was a really happy occasion and he still talks about how much he loved that birthday cake.

@OfMinceAndMen

I truly don't think we will be in another lockdown. More restrictions, yes, but not a lockdown. As for those who are unvaccinated not doing their bit, I'm not convinced. So many of our friends have had Covid and all are vaccinated. The pressure on infrastructure is coming from the 10 day isolation period, not from people being gravely ill, so all of our vaccinated friends would have contributed to the problem by catching Covid and isolating.

Yes, the vaccine doesn't stop you getting covid, that's the reality. But the reality is that they are saying that the vast majority of people in hospital with covid are unvaccinated people. That's the problem here, the vaccines help against serious illness and whilst some people who have been vaccinated will unfortunately end up in hospital, the problem is that so many of those people in hospital are the unvaccinated and in a way its unfair for those who have been vaccinated and who are facing more restrictions.

It must be so hard for those of you with small children, to have lived through this. I'm sorry for your dissppointment OP. But maybe we won't be in lockdown, no certainties and the govt want to avoid it if possible. It's my 50th on NYE and I'd planned a huge party with over a hundred people, I've had to cancel that obviously but am still hoping to have something small with one or two friends. I'd go with what others advise here and do it now while you can!

By the way for those pp commenting on NYE birthdays - they're a mixed blessing I think. It does usually mean I get to spend it with the whole family which is lovely. It has always meant it's hard to get people to parties etc when there's so much going on in their own families. I usually have a late party of sorts in January, even if only going out for drinks. I don't mind it too much in general, though as a child got fed up of the joint Christmas and birthday presents - but that's the same for every person who has a birthday around this time.

Not full lockdown no, but restrictions, yes.

@CrumpledCrumpet

Honestly no-one knows.

However is there is one thing I’ve learnt both through the 2 years of pandemic and the 6 years of parenting that preceded it, is that the magical moments with children often aren’t the carefully orchestrated and planned ones. Seize joy in the little things.

I remember taking my DS to an aquarium at that kind of age thinking he would be enchanted and he spent the entire time bolting off or tantruming - honestly one of the most stressful and frustrating days of parenting I remember, made worse by having high expectations of it.

My youngest had his 3rd birthday at the start of lockdown 1. We all had covid, I could barely stand up to make them a sandwich for lunch never mind making a birthday cake.

So we just pretended it wasn’t his birthday, and on a sunny day when we were all feeling a bit better then it was suddenly Birthday Day. Just us (though the neighbours sang happy birthday over the fence), a few presents, a tiny pass the parcel and a game of musical bumps. It was in the middle of the great lockdown flour shortage so his birthday cake was basic to say the least, and decorated with a homemade cake topper made from cereal packets and kitchen foil. Honestly it was a really happy occasion and he still talks about how much he loved that birthday cake.

What a lovely family you are ❤

Post christmas lockdown wouldn't be so bad for me! Hunker down with the children, long walk every day, school work, baking, films and work will be quiet so limited balancing!

I agree that it’s not always the planned extravaganzas that children enjoy the most. They’re a bit hyped up and nine times out of ten there’s tears (both adults and dcs!)

Incidentally my 7th birthday party had to be cancelled as I got measles. Very bad luck, but the next year, the day before my party, I got chickenpox!!! I am pleased to say that I think I have come through and nearly 50 years later cannot say that I have any lasting trauma!

I don't actually think we will be locked down in the sense that has happened before. Or at least there will be attempts to ensure that we all have reduced contact but they won't call it a lockdown, they'll call it something like 'safety measures' or something. I just don't think people will accept another lockdown. The first one was rubbish, the second one was truly horrendous for most people and I just think people are done.

I don't know what the answer is.

Thank you everyone for all the kind comments. Unfortunately we can’t quite afford to go this week; we don’t get paid until Christmas Eve and had to pay solicitor fee’s and mortgage advisor fee’s this month along with finishing Christmas has completely wiped us out until payday. We could go when restrictions ease (if they come in) it just feels so disheartening to spend her actual birthday in yet another lockdown.

I agree it’s not the big things you do with them; we’ve had some lovely adventures just by going for a walk in the local forestry or to the park.

I guess we could still see family; I hadn’t thought about bending the rules really but perhaps we may do and have a small family gathering!

I'm starting to wonder if we actually will. We seem to be back to the 'Omicron isn't that serious' narrative this morning and hospitalisations might not go through the roof as previously predicted. I do think that there will be some restrictions though.

I understand your worries @PositivelyFooked, I don’t think we’ll be locked down by new year though. However I reckon we will be mid jan and my dd turns 18 in January and has been so excited about going clubbing, but I really don’t think she will be. Trying to nurse that disappointment and also the fact that if we do lockdown, her a level exams are also likely to be cancelled and she’d have made it all the way through school without sitting a proper exam

yep, my lovely ds spent his 13th birthday in lockdown last year and looks like it'll be the same this year. my dd was born in 2019 and so spent her 1st birthday, which is in December in lockdown and her 2nd was spent in isolation as we have all recently had covid.I don't think this will be forever but I do see problems for this year and next at least tbh 🥴