Anyone fancy a handhold over half term? Post here for support

[freckles20]

I thought I would start a thread for anyone who would like to join forces with other parents of teens over half term.

This lockdown has hit hard in my home and the mental health of DS (14) has taken a battering. This in turn has hit me hard and the upshot is that I'm anxious and dreading half term.

No judgement here, no competitive parenting, celebration of any tiny wins and getting through the day.

Hoping some others in the same boat might like to join.

Evening bump

Nice idea freckles. I think many of us are just killing time until school restarts, and accepting that this half term won’t be that great. It is, though, a chance for the kids to have some time off, no matter how much or little work has been going on.
The problem might be allowing the teens to just spend hours on line, in lieu of any other options. I’m trying not to nag - I know my 14 nearly 15 yo dd would be out if she could... me being on her back won’t help.
Sorry not to be more useful, I just thought your heart was in the right place.

@Ifeelmuchlessfat thanks, good to know I'm not alone. Wishing you a good day.

13 yr old DD
Crying as so lonely, bored, isolated

Used to be so busy, sociable,

I’ve been dreading half term -
So want to cheer her up !!

Today - going to walk dogs - she’s fed up with that
Pop to town to get her out of her room

I feel like my DD has become institutionalised. She is meeting a friend for a walk/coffees today, her best friend who in normal times spends a huge amount of time at our house, but I lost count of how many times I said, “Have you messaged Lottie yet?” over the weekend. Her bedroom has become her whole world. It’s tough.

My DD’s bf is not allowed out for walks which has been very sad for DD

Mine are just so bored now. Half term will be awful

This half term has been a huge source of anxiety for me. I've never struggled like this before but seeing DS so done has knocked me for six.

He's still sleeping atm, I hope to get him out with our dog later. He won't want to- not helped by the grey drizzly weather.

If I can summon up some strength I'll see if maybe he would cook something.

*down not done

Yes seeing my DD down has really affected me too - it’s horrid 🥲
I’ve been ordering hello fresh boxes ( on offer)
And getting her to choose and cook with me,
We watch umbrella academy while
We eat, that’s quite nice

@Schmoozer that sounds nice- DS really enjoyed that series. I might see if he'd like to watch it again with me.

It's really tricky for young people his age to be cooped up with parents. It's completely normal for them to want to be with their peers, and to be pulling away from parents- but right now that's really hard.

It's great that some kids are meeting friends one on one for a walk or exercise. That's not happening here unfortunately.

Sympathise with you all . DD was 14 yesterday and we did have a nice day . It's just been hard seeing her withdrawing and becoming more and more isolated . He BF and her seem to have had a fall out and she hasn't really been speaking to anyone from school other than the odd message . Online a lot playing Minecraft, which I would normally not allow for several hours of the day , not given the circumstances, I feel it's half term and she should do something she at least enjoys !! She has also developed a bit of a dependency on online friends rather than real life ones , which is a worry . She does show me who they are , and they are all just fellow Minecraft people but still .
It's hard and let's just hope that ends soon

Got two teen ds.
Both want to be back at school now.
T15 especially and T14 needs the structure to get enough work done as I am.just accused of nagging when not at work.
Managed to her both ot walk the dog to the shops yesterday.
Started an escape.room activity last night that T13 quite enjoyed for a good hour or so.
Hoping to make some.cinnamon buns today with T13 but not sure how to engage T15!

My year 10 DS has fallen behind, particularly with English lit & English. To catch up, he'll need to spend every day doing torn. He is obviously not happy. I'm so torn about what to do about it.

Ds has managed the lockdown well.

Massively misses his swimming but he's autistic so the social element of his life is his sport and he doesn't mix outside of that.

I was surprised the other day when went for a walk along the beach at how angry he got because a group of 12-15 teens (maybe 13/14yo) were all standing in skatepark and hugging etc.

He really wished the police would,come arrest them. (Ds is 16).

He's ok in himself as we have booked him on a swimming course (land training) for 4 days which keeps him occupied and we are meeting our support bubble - plus he games online.

But the strength of his annoyance at teens not complying when he was really made me realise he's doing ok because he has to - not because he is 100% ok.

Mine just lurk on screens. Only come out for food...

@MrsRusselBrand DS has been experiencing something similar. He has made lots of new online friendships, mainly mibecraft players and seems to talk with them as much if not more than RL friends. Much of his gaming happens downstairs so I can sort of see and hear what's happening and he seems to be having a lot of fun. So I guess I've accepted it for the most part.

It did occur to me that I get a lot of support from mumsnet these days, which in a way is similar.

@AViewFromTheWindows that sounds like a nice plan, I hope your day has gone well.

Tuesday. DS still asleep. I'll be finishing work soon and thought I'd see if he will come out for s walk, or cook something.

Took DS (14) to his dentist appointment this morning. His body language was so meh. Home now, disappeared to his bedroom after complaining he is getting unfit. I suggested a walk to post something for me and he's refused.

@Frozenintime that sounds really tricky. He did at least go to the dentist which is a positive.

Does he have any weights or exercise kit? I know some teens who use that type of stuff.

to everyone finding parenting tricky at the moment.

Mine refusing to leave room / house so far today 😢😢😢
She’s on bloxberg

17yo ds here. Just had a huge row over him stealing all the sweet stuff out of the cupboards and my cigarettes. Had enough of him at the moment. He ate a whole pot of chocolate sprinkles, the ones for cakes. He has autism but he's really widing me up.

DS has been gaming all day. I'm so jangled by his loud voice

my 16 year old won't eat meals and just steals crap out of the kitchen all the time - stays in her room on her phone - I'm a single parent and I am so fed up, bored, tired, lonely - they won't do anything I suggest. I try to motivate, try to get them to do school work, try to get them to eat healthily - nothing - won't look after her pet - I do everything (I would never neglect an animal, don't worry)