Life in Lockdown: Parenting edition

[LaurieLaurie]

I have an only child and I feel so bad for her. She’s 10 and she hasn’t complained once but I’m worried sick of how she feels being stuck at home. We get out for a daily walk but it’s hard, she’s not interested in crafts or games.

 

[KateESJ]

Forgot I posted this!!

My 3 year old turns 4 in 2 weeks - think she finally realised today what cancelling her party meant.

In a way I wish she was older. She’s young enough to feel the effects of staying in but not old enough to fully understand. She knows there’s germs and we need to stay in to stop the spread of the germs but then when we go for walls she panics over the germs that she might be touching.

Hope you’re all doing alright! I’m trying set up Skype dates with my daughter’s nursery friends but getting no responses from the parents

 

[Greygardener]

For activities for younger kids I'd maybe look at fiveminutemum and busy toddler on Instagram. Its games with household stuff and you can adapt them to include learning if you want. Personally we are just trying to get through, if we dont learn a thing then we dont learn a thing. Although learning is everywhere so they 2ill take something from what you do.

 

[Prgirl_cesca]

My daughter who is 5 is doing remarkably well which is madness as she is a complete force of nature normally and she would have been the one I was terrified of going loco in all this. Turns out she is just a homebody and is enjoying time with us and actually the slower pace of life...she even fell asleep on me on Saturday She does her school work happily.

My son (nearly 9...which will fall probably during lockdown) is another story. He was always the easy, gentle, kind one and he has been so hard. Very anxious but also selfish, rude and lazy. Tries to get out of school work, winds us all up and would rather just watch a screen for 14hrs a day. He has also got incredibly angry and shouty which he has never been like before. I have tried to be sympathetic but my patience is wearing thin....I have let him video call friends but he just ran around screaming and showing off (I found him hanging my phone out of his window on one call), we went to see his beloved grandparents to chat over the fence and he refused to even say hello which really upset his dad. Not sure what to do really.

However I am a glass half full kind of girl and I have 'enjoyed' some of the home schooling and have been astounded by how bright they are! And they have had a turning point today where they finally 'got' that mummy (and daddy) still have to work and are not their slaves. We have been lucky that school havent sent home that much.

Thinking of those with babies and toddlers. That shit is relentless even with freedom to go out.

 

[Lanie]

I've set my seven year old 3 school tasks everyday. Normally we do a subject or writing, a video and then reading. After that schools out. We play games, watch the various television apps and have a dance party (requested by my youngest every night) I let them do whatever tasks they choose after the school tasks. They are happy. We also go for a walk every couple of days. My boys have always been active so they do find it odd I am not treking them all over town.

 

[MissTeddy]

Also have a 10 year old and feel like the worst parent going because we don't a garden. Its really getting to me seeing other parents post how they're camping in the garden, playing, bbq and everything else. I feel awful for my child and like I've let them down and they deserve better as they will never have childhood memories of us playing In our garden.

your post broke my heart xx your child will have the best memories of a lovely, caring mummy x

 

[Bitofthebubbly]

So the snack coupon idea started off well and is still serving its purpose of stopping the incessant asking for snacks, seems to have taken a life of its own or should I say my partner has got involved and instead of it being geared towards making healthier choices with their 5 coupons a day, it’s now turned into this thing where they can get a biscuit for one coupon so obviously they will pick that over a piece of fruit for one coupon. It’s pissed me off if I’m honest, I purposely set it up a certain way so they weren’t snacking on crap every snack time but could still have treats occasionally, you know that thing called moderation. I love my partner but he has an annoying habit of taking something over and making it ‘better’. I’m sure the kids love it but it’s not what I originally set up and that’s annoying.

Think the isolation is getting to me today.

 

[carebear123]

It is hard I have a teenager and 4 year old at home,the teenager is being a mardy cow she never goes out normally but is now moaning that shes stuck in the house and how unfair it is she cant see friends,shes supposed to be home schooled anyway but isnt doing naff all except moan.i keep sending her posts on how serious it all is and that people are dying she doesnt get it and her attitude stinks!
my 4 year old doesn't understand why she cant go school or see friends I've kept busy as I can drawing with her and making the most of the daily walks collecting leaves and stones and sticks making pictures the TV has been a help at times.
All I see is people "homeschooling" and I'm over here winging it dont put to much pressure on yourself.
This morning we are not even dressed and just watching TV my hairs a mess and I'm slobbing around but my kids are happy and not pressured.

 

[SunshineDreamer]

This is the first time in all this that I’ve reached breaching point - and I’m blaming the weather. I’m sick (not corona virus) the baby is teething, the preschoolers are climbing the walls and I haven’t seen my husband in 4days because he’s a doctor and staying at our flat instead of coming home.

 

[coconochanel]

It is hard I have a teenager and 4 year old at home,the teenager is being a mardy cow she never goes out normally but is now moaning that shes stuck in the house and how unfair it is she cant see friends,shes supposed to be home schooled anyway but isnt doing naff all except moan.i keep sending her posts on how serious it all is and that people are dying she doesnt get it and her attitude stinks!
my 4 year old doesn't understand why she cant go school or see friends I've kept busy as I can drawing with her and making the most of the daily walks collecting leaves and stones and sticks making pictures the TV has been a help at times.
All I see is people "homeschooling" and I'm over here winging it dont put to much pressure on yourself.
This morning we are not even dressed and just watching TV my hairs a mess and I'm slobbing around but my kids are happy and not pressured.

I think its the thing of 'you cant go out' that makes it worse esp for teens. I put on my hoodie and trackie bottoms instead of pjs.

 

[LaurieLaurie]

Don’t forget, she’s amazing because she was raised by someone equally as amazing. Remind yourself of that when you are struggling x

Very sweet words. Thank you x

 

[Newbie]

I'm loving it

Not going to lie, thought I'd hate every second of it. But I'm really loving it! We've done 3 weeks of it on Wednesday, hoping my enthusiasm stays

 

[KateESJ]

To those with kids - HOW are you all coping??

We've done every activity that I stocked up on. I went to B&M (eat your heart out, sarah ingham) and Home Bargains a few weeks ago and bought loads of craft, painting kits etc. My 3 year old has done them ALL.

We're going on daily walks and our downstairs neighbour has let us use his garden (!! yay!!) so they managed to have a run around outside all afternoon today but we don't have any outdoor activities as I didn't buy any. I don't think the government counts garden toys count as essential so I can't see that I'll be able to get any

What kind of things are you up to? Could do with some inspiration.

 

[chocolate choux]

Thank you ... I think the added pressure of not being able to leave the house and go to work etc just adds to it plus not seeing family.
I think some times we forget what we have gone through... my sons dad was abusive too! And I dont think I will ever forget what he did to me. I find it hard because my son is too young to understand what happened completely although he did witness alot of it.
It makes it even worse that he still has to see him while all this is going on and ill be stuck inside and there is no distractions to take my mind of it. When he did see him thr other day he told my son he didnt see him for over a year because he was poorly. - its al the lies that get to me.

Yes, the isolation isn’t helping at all - I’m finding my thoughts are wandering to the past too now without so many distractions. It’s like we can’t focus on the present because the present is currently pretty empty. I hate the lies too, but at least it further proves who is the bad parent in this situation - how horrible of him to lie to his son like that after everything else

 

[Boredofthegram]

I’ve been managing to do a bit of school work and my work most days so far but today I really cba so the tablet is babysitting my 4yo and I’m watching repeats of bake off whilst doing a token bit of work. Tomorrow’s another day. It’s like Sunday everyday at the moment.

 

[Bitofthebubbly]

I am finding it hard this week with my mental health, we’ve done barely anything productive. Last week was ok, because they spent most of the time in the garden and I was happy they were out getting fresh air and moving and I felt less bad about the whole educating thing. But this week it’s been colder and they haven’t wanted to go out there as much. One of them only seems to want to play Roblox all day and refuses to get dressed (something I try and get them to do every day for routine). I wrote down some maths sums for them both to complete the other day but that was it. Eldest needs to work on reading and writing as they are slightly behind and I feel so guilty, I know I should be doing more. I don’t want to do hours of stuff a day, quite frankly I don’t have it in me, but I’ll feel even worse if they return to school and it turns out they have fallen even further behind, plus what will that do for their confidence?. I keep telling myself every child is in the same boat so shouldn’t stress about ‘home educating’ but other parents have been sending the teacher pictures of things they’ve done and giving out point to the kids and I’ve yet to send anything. Eldest dislikes literacy at the best of times and fuck if I know the difference between a verb and a noun off the top of my head.

Just feeling a bit in over my head, totally unequipped and like im failing my kids. The school suggests 2 hours of ‘home learning’a day, they’ve provided materials to work with and a theme each week for the next few weeks, and I am barely managing 2 hours a week. Last week we did family trees as one of the suggested tasks and I had no idea what I was doing or how to ‘teach’ it to them. It was a mess and they got nothing out of it. Tomorrow (or today) I’m going to trawl twinkl for some fun looking work sheets and pray my dusty old printer still works.

This parenting malarkey is one never ending stream of pressure and guilt.

 

[Boredofthegram]

I have a 4 year old who’s missing his school friends and family but is otherwise doing ok at the moment. I’m finding it hard trying to home school on top of work from home. But trying to take one day at a time before my anxiety takes over. Rollercoaster of emotions so far! Managed to get an Asda online slot for end of next week which was a massive relief as thought of taking my hyper son around the supermarket was very stressful as he doesn’t understand keeping your distance

 

[Fairypop]

I’m sure I wouldn’t be clean if I didn’t do it with her Hahahaha. My situation is so weird, i was a SAHM for a year, I had started a new job 1.5 week before we went on holiday for 2 weeks. And when I came back they said not to go in! I’m frightened I’ll lose my job, my daughter had just started to get used to going to preschool everyday and suddenly... she’s stuck at home with me again!! She must be like what the hell are you lot doing? She keeps asking to see her little mates at preschool.. and I got a taste of freedom and a bit of structure and suddenly that’s gone as well!

Ah no I really feel for you! I really hope things are alright with your job, it’s such a difficult time isn’t it? I can imagine it’s even worse as it’s a new job! But fingers crossed for you.

I feel so sorry for my eldest too, she’s so used to going to nursery and having routine/structure and now she’s wondering why we’re constantly at home . I know it’s the best thing to do of course, but I do feel guilty even though I know it isn’t my fault . I really hope this is over with sooner rather than later, feel like I’m going crazy already! X

 

[Yorkshirewife]

Here, have this

Thank you

 

[MakkaPakka]

I have an 8-year-old who's been doing quite OK so far. I'm the one who's struggling - I still do shifts in the office (key worker) and some at home, I co-parent with my ex, but I feel terrible for craving time on my own and I secretly dread playing in the garden with my son (when I should be glad we have one!). I let him play with the neighbours' kid, not sure this is OK but I can't keep them apart!