What is the most annoying/difficult age of kid to have during this?

[Anonymous]

Definitely the preschooler ages, say 3-5 ish.

With younger kids, you still may get an afternoon nap, which carves out some quiet time for sanity.

With school-aged kids, they are likely to be better engaged with screens (including learning apps) and can play independently inside and outside.

But preschoolers need constant supervision, cannot be trusted to play alone for extended periods of time, and no longer nap.

My kids are 8 and 12, and we will get through this with minimal issues. Our biggest issue so far was figuring out the best way for the kids to interact with friends/classmates remotely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Toddlers and preschoolers: too young to read to themselves, do school work, play independently or do anything on their own for very long, not supposed to have screens a lot, don’t really understand why they can’t go out and do usual things like playground, library, preschool, play dates etc

Of course I say this as someone w 5 and 3 year olds. I’m sure any age is hard for various reasons. At least w a baby they don’t need to be going out much anyway.

YES!!! We don’t really have a yard. When I tried going outside with DS, 3.5, he wouldn’t stay away from other kids on the street. A neighbor kid coughed on us. My back is bad, so grabbing him hurts, and this is the WORST behavior we’ve ever seen. Tantrums, peeing on the carpet, dumping Duplos while I am trying to get the baby down, suddenly refusing to eat most foods. Still holding off on the iPad and extra TV, but I may crumble. We’ve always been very strict about screens, but he just watched Daniel Tiger, and I hate that I can hear the final credits.

I’m pp above. That sounds so tough without a yard. And I have a bad back too so I sympathize! Extra screen time is inevitable . Something else that helps is giving them “play baths” where they can just play in the tub. Put on some music and have Dance parties. We put a mattress on the floor for them to jump on. Hmm what else...letting them “help” with baking. Lots of art and play dough time. Have any cardboard boxes? Let them draw on it w markers. Build forts w pillows. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I think it is difficult for any age group if you e.g. live in apartment, without a garden/yard. Imagine people in NYC! I have 8 year old twin boys and am supposed to work from home and we live in an apartment; you can imagine.....hopefully weather will be nice, so we can go out to parks, trails a few hours every day.

[Anonymous]

PS. to above ;I also feel bad for our noise-sensitive childless neighbors...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 4.5 year old and a 6 month old baby, so I’m pretty sure I win the suffering Olympics.

lol.

A woman in my multiples group had an almost 4 year old daughter and almost 2 year old twins. She beats you by a long shot. And there are others that beat her easily as well. This sucks for everybody.

My daughter is 6 and my twin sons are 4. I was just thinking this morning how lucky I am that they are these ages. If they were older and I had to be concerned about schooling it would be stressful and if this was two springs ago I’d have to be committed. Was NOT an easy time for us and getting out of the house and preschool/gym play place saved us. This is a good spot for a pandemic.

[Anonymous]

I have a special needs 10 year old and it is HARD. My 7 yo has been a piece of cake his entire life.

[Anonymous]

I never thought I would think that having teens was an advantage, but it sure is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would say any age under 5 is hardest, although maybe 0-1 isn’t as difficult. It also depends on whether or not they have siblings to entertain them and access to screens.

I have a 7yo and a 10yo and so far this really isn’t hard.

This. My 7yo has access to screens but still getting bored with no siblings. We have been organizing playdates which helps some. It would be so much harder to manage if DC was younger.

DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE?!? WTF, PP?

No doubt it sucks to have an only child in this situation, but no playdates right now!

Please no need for panic PP small playdates with the same 2-3 kids are likely ok says nytimes https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/parenting/kids-playdates-coronavirus.html
if you know these families well everyone wfh and they are not doing playdates with anyone else and no one in household with elderly, immunocompromised etc.

[Anonymous]

Ages 4 & 3. Nearly impossible to work while caring for them.

[Anonymous]

I think the worst would be a toddler only child. I have a 2.5 year old plus am pregnant at 32 weeks and in theory, supposed to be on pelvic rest to avoid premature labor, but in practice teleworking like crazy and working at night to make up for lost time during the day spent taking care of her. We are in Italy where we can't even go outside - the best we can do is the rooftop of our building. I want to throttle everyone who posts things like "what Netflix series should I watch" or "art ideas to do with your kids at home," as if every day were a vacation without work deliverables.

[Anonymous]

Mine are 6, 4 and 2 and I'm pregnant. It is not fun at any age. I've thrown out the limited screen time rule but I'm trying to get them to watch shows where they might learn something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 25 year old is the WORST! I have an 11 and 18 year old that are fine, taking it in stride, pitching in, cleaning up after themselves. She is whining and complaining because “all of her friends are out having fun and living their lives, and she gets to be this one stuck in the house and missing out.” OMG, the drama!

Is she SN?

No, just completely self absorbed. EVERYTHING is about her. She has been preparing to move out and start grad school and it’s like she thinks this virus started just to spoil her plans because NOTHING works out for her. Girl, get over your damn self!

[Anonymous]

I have a 4, 2 and a 12 month old baby! Yes, it is NOT easy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The combination of a newborn and toddler under 3 would be the absolute hardest, IMO.

It's the truth when there isn't a pandemic.

[Anonymous]

My 7 year old will have a hard time but same as the rest of us. My younger one just turned 3 and makes my job impossible. I’m in the Bay Area and we’re on more serious lockdown starting tomorrow