Is anyone else (secretly) liking social distancing and schools being closed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your are enjoying this - do you not worried about your children’s education? Do you not work? Have families with small businesses to worry about? Having to go to the grocery store paranoid about catching covid. I dunno.. Im clearly not enjoying this..

People are in different circumstances. I have a three year old, she's getting as much instruction from me during the day as she does at daycare. I do worry about socialization. I do work, but with one kid, I mostly just get up early to get a few hours in and work some nights/weekends, so I can take care of her during the day. Some of our new routines are fun: we have a morning walk and watch a Disney movie every day after lunch. I go to the grocery store every two weeks, so I'm not that paranoid about catching it. We're spending less money (nowhere to spend it) and I'm making some progress on saving up for a new roof we'll need soon.

This is a genuinely a hard time for a lot of people, I recognize that, and I hope this is over as soon as possible. The way my life is structured, though, it's not so bad. I'm trying to be grateful for that and enjoy the upsides that are there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not necessarily enjoying it but as an introvert this is fabulous. No stupid play dates awkwardly trying to make
conversation with parents you’d never be friends with if your kids weren’t friends. No having to get up at 6am to get ready for the day (we now get up between 9-10am). No rushing to a myriad of activities and no feelings of guilt about not doing said activities because no one is doing them. The lack of open stores and restaurants mean we aren’t spending as much money and we are all enjoying cooking together as a family. We have gotten much closer with our neighbors and message each other about groceries but otherwise don’t engage in small talk. If we could put in a pool in the backyard, I’d never leave my house this summer. Kids seem happier and love spending all of this time with us, it’s awesome.

More parents of young kids. People should really post their kids ages. If your kids aren’t missing their friends and their old lives, then you really have no idea what the rest of us are going through.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I’m giggling that this thread is still going! I think I started it one week or so into quarantine when this whole thing was still novel?

At first it felt like a relaxing staycation but we’re all pretty over it by now! Lol. Dying for the kids to go back to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not necessarily enjoying it but as an introvert this is fabulous. No stupid play dates awkwardly trying to make
conversation with parents you’d never be friends with if your kids weren’t friends. No having to get up at 6am to get ready for the day (we now get up between 9-10am). No rushing to a myriad of activities and no feelings of guilt about not doing said activities because no one is doing them. The lack of open stores and restaurants mean we aren’t spending as much money and we are all enjoying cooking together as a family. We have gotten much closer with our neighbors and message each other about groceries but otherwise don’t engage in small talk. If we could put in a pool in the backyard, I’d never leave my house this summer. Kids seem happier and love spending all of this time with us, it’s awesome.

More parents of young kids. People should really post their kids ages. If your kids aren’t missing their friends and their old lives, then you really have no idea what the rest of us are going through.

Kids are elementary school aged, they video chat and text with their friends whenever they want, oldest has several ongoing video games he plays with his buddies. It’s really not that big of a deal, we have a nice home, plenty of yard space, and thankfully no money concerns right now as we can work from home. Instead of sitting around and whining, we try to remember that there are plenty of people in MUCH worse situations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I’m giggling that this thread is still going! I think I started it one week or so into quarantine when this whole thing was still novel?

At first it felt like a relaxing staycation but we’re all pretty over it by now! Lol. Dying for the kids to go back to school.

Oh golly gee! This is so funny, isn't it? Lols!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:No I HATE this. And I hate SAHM's like you that can't wrap their head around how HARD this is for a minute. We are lucky that we both have our jobs and the ability to work from home. But we are doing so with a 4 year old at home and it is nearly impossible to work. I'm up early and late to make up for what I can't get done. It's exhausting and isolating. I miss my family, friends and co-workers.

A SAHM mom I know posted some post about how hard it is to do all 3 - parent, teach and work - at the same time. Bitch please... she has no job, her kids are under 5 and previously only went to mother's day out so no real teaching to do. Her biggest change is that her husband is working from home and it's really rocked their world. So extremely irritating.

It’s hard to have three kids under five at home under any circumstances. It’s probably a lot harder now that many activities are canceled. You don’t know that because you have never had a job raising children full time, beyond the four or so months of maternity leave you took. Of course this is harder for those who have to work, but it’s hard for everyone. Are you a health care worker in a hospital? Then someone has it harder than you. You have ONE four month old child at home who has zero need for socialization with other kids. There are people who have it harder than you. So stop castigating others. Even if this was the misery Olympics, you’d lose by a mile.

You really struggle with reading comprehension. The SAHM I referenced has 2 kids, not 3. I have a 4 YEAR OLD not 4 month old. Having a 4 YEAR OLD at home while I'm on the phone all day basically ignoring her sucks. At least the SAHM can pay attention to her kids. Meanwhile I get to tell mine to be quiet and stick her in front of a TV so I can have god awful conference calls.

Oh and BTW I raise my kid full time even though I work.

Oh I’m sorry you have ONE four year old child. There are still many folks who have it harder than you, so why are you castigating people? You obviously have plenty of time to be on DCUM so it can’t be THAT hard for you. Also you don’t raise your kid full time on normal days. You have someone doing it for you. You are currently raising your child full time. That is why it is more difficult for you. You can’t have it both ways dummy.

Truth. Being a weekend parent is so much different than a SAH parent all week.

You guys are the actual worst. Who do you think parents my child the other 5 days of the week in between me working? I see SAHMs going on nice walks and playing in their yards while I constantly shush my 4 year old or dump her in front of the tv so I can take my 4th conference call of the day. It’s not sustainable. I never compared myself to a first responder... just the cushy SAHM that’s relishing a pandemic.

Uh your child care provider is providing care for your child during normal times. You are not. You are always their parent but you are not caring for your child during most of your awake hours. No you are doing both child care and working.

NP. Try to stay on topic why the hate? right now there is no child care and PP has right to vent. Nobody is calling suffering Olympics everyone here is privileged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not necessarily enjoying it but as an introvert this is fabulous. No stupid play dates awkwardly trying to make
conversation with parents you’d never be friends with if your kids weren’t friends. No having to get up at 6am to get ready for the day (we now get up between 9-10am). No rushing to a myriad of activities and no feelings of guilt about not doing said activities because no one is doing them. The lack of open stores and restaurants mean we aren’t spending as much money and we are all enjoying cooking together as a family. We have gotten much closer with our neighbors and message each other about groceries but otherwise don’t engage in small talk. If we could put in a pool in the backyard, I’d never leave my house this summer. Kids seem happier and love spending all of this time with us, it’s awesome.

More parents of young kids. People should really post their kids ages. If your kids aren’t missing their friends and their old lives, then you really have no idea what the rest of us are going through.

It's more temperament than age, I think.

My kids are middle and elementary but introverted. I'm an extrovert. I miss my friends and social life - I think it's definitely harder on me than them. They are perfectly content with the occasional face time chats, their zoom sports and playing with each other.

[Anonymous]

Op, I do like it. Most people know that I'm generally antisocial. I love being home with my kids and my kids love that I'm home. I will admit that its exceptionally frustrating working and homeschooling. Yes, both are getting done. My kids are old enough where I can develop a plan for the week, get them started daily, and then they work through the rest of the day mostly on their own. I do answer a lot of questions though with my younger kid. They follow a schedule that's posted in our kitchen.

All of you talking about everyone that's suffering, I get it. But we aren't allowed to be happy because others are suffering? Should we all wallow in misery at all times because of others are suffering? We can take a post or two on this board and actually be happy for once? This is one of many reasons why I'm antisocial. When I try to be somewhat social there's always someone trying to make me feel bad about something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, I do like it. Most people know that I'm generally antisocial. I love being home with my kids and my kids love that I'm home. I will admit that its exceptionally frustrating working and homeschooling. Yes, both are getting done. My kids are old enough where I can develop a plan for the week, get them started daily, and then they work through the rest of the day mostly on their own. I do answer a lot of questions though with my younger kid. They follow a schedule that's posted in our kitchen.

All of you talking about everyone that's suffering, I get it. But we aren't allowed to be happy because others are suffering? Should we all wallow in misery at all times because of others are suffering? We can take a post or two on this board and actually be happy for once? This is one of many reasons why I'm antisocial. When I try to be somewhat social there's always someone trying to make me feel bad about something.

Are you antisocial, or just unpleasant?

[Anonymous]

DH is enjoying the paid time off. He works about 2-3 hours per day but there is only so much he can do at home. This is the most he has ever been home with the kids. We are enjoying time with daddy. Kids seem fine. They are enjoying extra screen time and don’t mind not being in school. It is like an early summer break.

I’m the only one having a hard time. I’m apparently the most social one in our family and dying to see people.

[Anonymous]

Miserable and have gained 10lbs. I want my life back. All I seem to do is the same everyday .... juggle work (which now with everyone at home has no boundaries) and now cooking and cleaning. These people (my family) want 3 meals a day and snacks....the whole day seems to revolve around the meal schedule. I eat because I am bored. The dishwasher goes on everyday, the laundry. My teen DC is also an extrovert and misses friends and sports. I also miss my housecleaner, my hair dresser, the nail salon, eating out, my friends and extended family. I want to lay by the pool with my friends with a cocktail. Vent over!

[Anonymous]

I like it. I'm social, but live in a small neighborhood (New England state) and regularly see neighbors while we ride bikes around. My marriage is great, so I'm not lonely.

What I like most is that I've learned I really LIKE my kids. They're 6 and 8, and normally our lives are harried and I'm tired. Weeks used to be rushed, and weekends were for catching up on errands we didn't get to. This downtime has shown me what an awesome sense of humor my 8yo has developed recently, and how incredibly sweet and loving my 6yo is. They are proving to be great friends to each other, and are learning daily how to resolve disputes and generally get along.

I work, but it's really slow right now, so I have a few hours each morning to help with school, and then they play together on bikes, online math games, or Minecraft. They Facetime friends and walk around the house showing off their fish to friends on the computer. It's cute. They've never had a lot of screen time, so now, even 6 weeks in to this, it's still a novelty to them.
I really hope we keep a lot of our new habits if/when normal life resumes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I’m giggling that this thread is still going! I think I started it one week or so into quarantine when this whole thing was still novel?

At first it felt like a relaxing staycation but we’re all pretty over it by now! Lol. Dying for the kids to go back to school.

Oh golly gee! This is so funny, isn't it? Lols!

You are pretty mean. The poster is expressing hubris now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I’m giggling that this thread is still going! I think I started it one week or so into quarantine when this whole thing was still novel?

At first it felt like a relaxing staycation but we’re all pretty over it by now! Lol. Dying for the kids to go back to school.

Oh golly gee! This is so funny, isn't it? Lols!

You are pretty mean. The poster is expressing hubris now.

Agree, no need to be mean. But op, you should really rethink your choice of verbs about your desire to have kids back in school at this time.

[Anonymous]

What’s depressing is I realize how little contact I had with others on a daily basis anyway. I have very few friends I see in person. I work part time as a bookeeper so very few work related contacts and my kids are busy teens who need me less and less. I miss going to my yoga studio. That’s about it. And I’d like to have a haircut and mani/pedi. But sadly I don’t miss much else and I enjoy how the streets are less crowded and even now the stores.
I wouldn’t mind going to a restaurant soon. But again. My life hasn’t really changed. I’m a loner.