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Original poster

Dear people who were parents of toddlers in lockdown

206 replies

jallopeno · 02/09/2023 19:40

How on earth did you manage?!!

I'm so sorry. I don't think I realised how much of a struggle it must have been. Hope you're doing OK.

OP posts:
PlantDoctor · 02/09/2023 19:49

I wasn't as I have a 3.5yo, but I often find myself thinking that this age would have been awful to be locked down, especially when parks were closed too at first. DD was only a baby for most of the lockdowns, especially the most strict ones, but even then I have heard nursery staff discussing how her age group are a bit socially underdeveloped from lack of baby/sensory etc. groups. Kids had it rough in lockdown, whatever their age.

blutterfly · 02/09/2023 19:50

I had a 2yr old and a feisty 5yr old, and both of us worked full time.

Im still surprised to this day how we managed tbh

Archymum · 02/09/2023 19:53

I have a 5.5 year old. She turned two in the middle of the first lockdown. It was far from easy but I actually often think that parents of teenagers probably had it worse. She was still pretty much happy to just hang out with us and then nursery was open from September 2020 and they were amazing and kept everything so "normal" for the kids. She managed good social development there even though the rest of the world was so so weird.

FluffMagnet · 02/09/2023 19:53

I had a just turned 1 Yr old. I try not to think about how we essentially neglected her - she was put to bed for a lot of the day so we could take meetings, and constantly being pushed away from us so she didn't appear in camera. I frankly really resent my place of work for showing me no compassion during this time.

She was just young enough to take it as well as can be expected, and has a very placid nature, God bless her. She is starting school this September and thanks to an epic nursery who reopened the very moment they could, she does not seem affected that I can tell. Doesn't stop the guilt.

WhatNoRaisins · 02/09/2023 19:53

Mental health went to absolute shit to be honest.

Original poster
jallopeno · 02/09/2023 19:54

PlantDoctor · 02/09/2023 19:49

I wasn't as I have a 3.5yo, but I often find myself thinking that this age would have been awful to be locked down, especially when parks were closed too at first. DD was only a baby for most of the lockdowns, especially the most strict ones, but even then I have heard nursery staff discussing how her age group are a bit socially underdeveloped from lack of baby/sensory etc. groups. Kids had it rough in lockdown, whatever their age.

Yes this is my situation. I thought I had it bad with a newborn!

OP posts:
itsahotmess · 02/09/2023 19:55

We had a two year old and a six month old. It was shocking

MrsSkylerWhite · 02/09/2023 19:57

Not toddlers. Youngest, a sixth former. Had three mi the of lessons at college then 16 months at home online in an attic because of a CEV parent. Still struggling with the repercussions.

We wouldn’t do it again, we’d rather die than inflict more damage on our beloved child.

Original poster
jallopeno · 02/09/2023 19:57

I have no idea how anyone could be expected to work with a toddler while also having all the doooom of the lockdowns and queuing for shopping and all that. I really do feel for you all

OP posts:
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 02/09/2023 19:58

Because as hard as it was I didn’t have to home school- although when the police stopped me for driving to go feed some ducks I felt close to punching them!

MrsMous · 02/09/2023 19:58

blutterfly · 02/09/2023 19:50

I had a 2yr old and a feisty 5yr old, and both of us worked full time.

Im still surprised to this day how we managed tbh

Same. Dh and I basically lived in hell. We then had to listen to people who had been furloughed moaning about money and boredom, while we both had a breakdown.

onlylovecanhurtlikethis · 02/09/2023 19:58

I had a toddler and newborn twins plus working full time as the main earner - I actually miss those days 😁

BarryK3nt · 02/09/2023 19:59

Tbh I sent her back to nursery after a month, it was doing her no good at all being stuck at home all day while my husband was trying to work.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 02/09/2023 19:59

Oh and yes I stuck her back in nursery the moment it opened!!!

misssunshine4040 · 02/09/2023 20:00

It was very hard but there was no choice. I look back and think how the hell did I survive

Fishandchipsatthebeach · 02/09/2023 20:00

I had a one year old when lockdown began and had to juggle WFH as a lawyer while looking after a 1 year old (DH also works in a high pressure professional role).
I had no local friends so even when you were allowed to meet a friend for a walk I had no one to meet.
It was hard but I just cracked on TBH.

Italianasoitis · 02/09/2023 20:00

We had a 2 year old and 4 year old and both myself and husband were forced to be in meetings all day. We lived in a built up apartment with a tiny balcony and where we lived prohibited going outdoors for any reason other than groceries. I took my son out on his scooter and the police told me to go back indoors. I was constantly worried about their physical safety as my primary concern. If DH and I had meetings at the same time, the kids were handed sweets and plonked in front of the TV. My 2 year old would climb furniture and bumped her head more than once.

It had no effect on them as our lockdown, while harsh, was short, and they were back to school soon after. My son has no recollection and I had to tell him all about the lockdowns!

Original poster
jallopeno · 02/09/2023 20:00

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 02/09/2023 19:58

Because as hard as it was I didn’t have to home school- although when the police stopped me for driving to go feed some ducks I felt close to punching them!

The things we did! (Or couldn't do!)

OP posts:
Hibernatalie · 02/09/2023 20:01

Do you know what? It was really hard.

Original poster
jallopeno · 02/09/2023 20:02

MrsMous · 02/09/2023 19:58

Same. Dh and I basically lived in hell. We then had to listen to people who had been furloughed moaning about money and boredom, while we both had a breakdown.

Show quote history

I really don't know how you managed. I had a few days working with my little one before she was 2 due to coughs etc so couldn't go to nursery and that was hard enough but I couldn't imagine with a fully mobile child who screams and tantrums. I don't think I'd have coped I really don't.

OP posts:
Original poster
jallopeno · 02/09/2023 20:03

Hibernatalie · 02/09/2023 20:01

Do you know what? It was really hard.

Yes I underestimated just how hard until my little one reached this age.

I see you all, all of you. You had it hard.

OP posts:
YukoandHiro · 02/09/2023 20:05

Not well. I was also pregnant and feeling awful and trying to work at the time. And we lived in a flat with no garden.

One day was so bad that I shouted at my DH and toddler so angrily I frightened myself (and upset my poor poor DD of course) and then locked myself in the toilet for an hour sobbing so hard I sounded like a wounded animal.
It was quite genuinely the worst nine months of my life.

abyssofwoah · 02/09/2023 20:05

Thanks OP. It really was horrendous.

Fishandchipsatthebeach · 02/09/2023 20:06

Oh forgot to add I largely coped thanks to having a large garden & the fantastic weather that year

bluegreenandcoral · 02/09/2023 20:06

I had a 3 year old and a newborn. I know it was really hard but I kind of don’t remember it anymore, it’s just a blur - I think my brain has blocked it out!