It’s not age, it’s personality.

My teen and tween have always been easy.

This togetherness is going to be pleasant. I would have said that at whatever age.

I have 12, 9, 9, 5, 4 and it’s no biggie. I will say it’s actually harder for the 12 year old than anyone else. But the kids all understand and have been very pleasant.

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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for anyone with an only. They’re going to have it the hardest. I’ve been home 9 days with 3 boys (10, 7, & 4) and it hasn’t been too bad. They keep one another entertained for the most part.

Only child 3.75 DS is extroverted x100 and is driving us bonkers.

Same. Also pregnant with extreme fatigue and packing for a move. He’s getting way more TV than I would usually allow.

I'm hauling out the stashed away, over-supply of toys the kids received at Christmas. Cue in the legos.

You can still go outside Op. I set up an obstacle course in the yard, played some ball, stomped in a few puddles, and got some wiggles out this morning. Fresh air felt good too.

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for anyone with an only. They’re going to have it the hardest. I’ve been home 9 days with 3 boys (10, 7, & 4) and it hasn’t been too bad. They keep one another entertained for the most part.

Please. I feel sorry for you. Would rather be with my only. We enjoy him very much.

Toddlers to 6 y o

Anonymous wrote:I feel bad for anyone with an only. They’re going to have it the hardest. I’ve been home 9 days with 3 boys (10, 7, & 4) and it hasn’t been too bad. They keep one another entertained for the most part.

Only child 3.75 DS is extroverted x100 and is driving us bonkers.

I feel bad for anyone with an only. They’re going to have it the hardest. I’ve been home 9 days with 3 boys (10, 7, & 4) and it hasn’t been too bad. They keep one another entertained for the most part.

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.

This is almost exactly us. Except mine is just 4. The baby is great. Napping 2-3 times a day and mostly sleeping through. The 4 year old is very self sufficient. Very active but we went outside this am bundled up and dug in the back yard and cleaned up sticks while the baby was napping. Everyone was filthy but tired and happy. We have a couple rooms with toys and she's been going from one place to another to play and we will read books. I'm lucky we have a big back yard with balls and a slide and a bunch of garden tools. She can wander around there and make up stories about bunnies for hours. But that's my kid (mostly personality and a little help from us to learn independent play).

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Not really. A 4.5 year old is pretty self sufficient and a 6 month old can't really get around much but is usually consolidating sleep. 6 mo is kind of the easiest baby time.

I have a 2.5 and 4.5 year old. It's damn hard and will be worse when DH returns to the office on Monday. Why isn't his office closing? He works in finance, can do his entire job from home.

I have 3.5yo and 9mo boys. Oldest is used to very active days at preschool. He's in full temper tantrum mode after four days of social isolation. Youngest still naps twice a day, but when awake, screams unless you hold him in standing position because he's so frustrated at not being able to do what his brother is doing. And oldest is suddenly super territorial about toys and has started hitting the youngest. (Not behavior we usually see.)

DH is working from home but won't help in any way. And I'm sick.

I still feel lucky because we have food and warm shelter. But, if we're nominating difficult ages for social isolation, I'd put my chips on anyone under 5.

For real: An 18 year old who is a freshman in college. He’s had a taste of freedom and independence. He’s legally an adult. Emotionally, he thinks he’s invincible, like every other 18 year old. And here we are having the strained conversation about bringing him home. He’s not happy about it on so many levels.

When he gets here, we’re going to have to deal with his crankiness as he tries to connect with friends.

I WISH I had a toddler. That would so much easier than navigating this.

I have a 7 year old. I'd say the under 5 set is probably the hardest. I can send DS to read. I can send him to play educational games online. I can send him into our backyard while I do things around the house. He can play alone for a little bit. He can play on his Kindle for a bit.

You can't do a lot of that with most kids under 5.

My 14 month has spent a good portion of this weekend climbing into her stroller, pointing at the door, and screaming “out!” so that’s going well.