I just told my five year old the truth. He understood it and accepted it, although the social distancing brings him to tears sometimes, it's got to be done. We had warned him that lockdown was coming so when we broke it to him that he couldn't go outside at all, no cousins can visit etc. he took it quite well.
He basically stays at his grandparents most of every Saturday and that is off also but we explained he could make them sick.
It's surprising what kids can accept and understand if you sit them down and talk to them, especially if you give advance notice and don't just spring it on them.
Very often, these children are smarter than their parents !
We did this at home and the kids understood that they need to wash hands because it keeps the virus away
https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/viral-experiment-shows-importance-of-good-hygiene
They are 4 yr old
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
Told weemanfrom that school is closed because there’s a bug making people sick. He didn’t understand at first as, being a yank, he thought of a big being like some sort of beetle or spider going around making people ill. Little terrifying that!
But he’s good with it. Used it as a learning experience so understands that things can make you sick and how important cleanliness is. He washes his hands regularly now, but seems intent on using a $hit ton of soap each time.
He still gets out for exercise. We can kick a football around for a while or go to any of the local public walking trails or forest for a run around. We’re lucky enough to be a bit more rural these days so have plenty of public open spaces.
Toughest but for him is that it’s the two of us home all day and I have to work, so keeping him engaged in meaningful activities is tough. Spending a lot of time on his kindle, but on the plus side, he’s actually learning some Spanish words. Apparently we live in a “casa azul”
Thank you for the comments guys. Sounds like we are all doing a decent job. Honesty is often the best policy. I suppose it's about telling him the truth in a child friendly way and to let him know that he is doing his bit to help by washing his hands, video calling family to check they are okay etc.
Morning Sloppy, sorry I can't offer much as I have no children, but honesty must be the best policy. Kids these days are more 'switched on' than we were, so hopefully will take it in their stride. Much love
"Told weemanfrom that school is closed because there’s a bug making people sick. He didn’t understand at first as, being a yank"
comment by GTWI4T- some people deserve to get trolled (U6008)
posted 31 minutes ago
My oldest is 7 and gets it. It's tough for him because he is so active and he loves sport. Playing in the garden doesn't cut it compared to his training and matches with his friends.
My middle one is 4 and doesn't get it but is just happy that she is at home with everyone and gets to play. We do video calls every day with all the family which help but lets be honest, none of the can really comprehend the longevity of this. At the moment it is all new and a bit "exciting" in 2 weeks time it will be tougher. The key thing is to understand that this will impact the children and behaviour will change with more "naughty" and not complying with boundaries. .You just have to tailor the way you parent accordingly.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thats a good point regarding what it will be like in a few weeks time.
As you say at the moment there is almost a novelty effect in some way for the kids and adults alike but as weeks roll by and this remains in place attitudes will change drastically
Also if this extends for a much longer period IE months and we start to come into better weather, folk will start cracking up if they are being forced to stay at home.
Tell the kids it's a worldwide game of run-outs or tag and the people are lava
My missus is a key worker and my work isn't shutting down so my 8 year old can and will have to go into his Primary school some days. We sent him in yesterday and there was nobody there from his year and only 7 kids in total (out of the usual 450). He took it on the chin but obviously found it very odd. Luckily he's pretty sociable and will make friends easily with kids of all ages but he did miss his regular mates.
He's not in today as I'm home but we have to send him tomorrow. His grandparents often help out with school pick ups so their absence has had to be explained and so far he's ok about it but its early days.
I had more trouble explaining it to my elderly parents than I did to my 8 year old daughter to be honest.
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 28 minutes ago
"Told weemanfrom that school is closed because there’s a bug making people sick. He didn’t understand at first as, being a yank"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cheeky ba$tard
Just tell them the truth and in as easier use of language as possible. Let them ask any questions. They might ask what is a virus. Just explain the best you can. When they don't understand a word either explain what that word means or use a different word (or sentence).
It's best to be open and honest.
Imagine telling them that Liverpool have won the title
My 5 and 4 yrd old have a million questions.
My missus and I are both working from home.
Its been a tough week adjusting. They know there's a virus and they've been telling my wife and I off every time we cough or sneeze and use our hands. They gesture to show how to cough into our elbows.
Kids are resilient. Though i do wonder what they will be like in 6mths time when they have to return to school.
The 4yr old starts in reception and so getting him back into a routine will be hard. The 5yr old not so much.
More importantly, they're home, we all are and are safe.
comment by Manfrombelmonty (U1705)
posted 3 hours, 11 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 28 minutes ago
"Told weemanfrom that school is closed because there’s a bug making people sick. He didn’t understand at first as, being a yank"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cheeky ba$tard
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Howareya Manfrom?
"Explaining Coronavirus to a six year old"
Is that what the experts said about explaining it to Boris?
Explaining to a 5 year old that if Dad catches it, with his compromised immune system then he will not be very well is just as difficult.
And that we will be at home together for 12 weeks.
Thank you for the comments guys. It's obviously a difficult time for us all. I work with children at risk of sexual exploitation and I do agree that children can be very resilient. We work so hard to protect our own from the horrors of this world but in this case honesty seems to be working. An internet forum can provide priceless support. Stay safe everyone.
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Explaining Coronavirus to a six year old
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posted on 24/3/20
I just told my five year old the truth. He understood it and accepted it, although the social distancing brings him to tears sometimes, it's got to be done. We had warned him that lockdown was coming so when we broke it to him that he couldn't go outside at all, no cousins can visit etc. he took it quite well.
He basically stays at his grandparents most of every Saturday and that is off also but we explained he could make them sick.
It's surprising what kids can accept and understand if you sit them down and talk to them, especially if you give advance notice and don't just spring it on them.
posted on 24/3/20
Very often, these children are smarter than their parents !
posted on 24/3/20
We did this at home and the kids understood that they need to wash hands because it keeps the virus away
https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/viral-experiment-shows-importance-of-good-hygiene
They are 4 yr old
posted on 24/3/20
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 24/3/20
Told weemanfrom that school is closed because there’s a bug making people sick. He didn’t understand at first as, being a yank, he thought of a big being like some sort of beetle or spider going around making people ill. Little terrifying that!
But he’s good with it. Used it as a learning experience so understands that things can make you sick and how important cleanliness is. He washes his hands regularly now, but seems intent on using a $hit ton of soap each time.
He still gets out for exercise. We can kick a football around for a while or go to any of the local public walking trails or forest for a run around. We’re lucky enough to be a bit more rural these days so have plenty of public open spaces.
Toughest but for him is that it’s the two of us home all day and I have to work, so keeping him engaged in meaningful activities is tough. Spending a lot of time on his kindle, but on the plus side, he’s actually learning some Spanish words. Apparently we live in a “casa azul”
posted on 24/3/20
Thank you for the comments guys. Sounds like we are all doing a decent job. Honesty is often the best policy. I suppose it's about telling him the truth in a child friendly way and to let him know that he is doing his bit to help by washing his hands, video calling family to check they are okay etc.
posted on 24/3/20
Morning Sloppy, sorry I can't offer much as I have no children, but honesty must be the best policy. Kids these days are more 'switched on' than we were, so hopefully will take it in their stride. Much love
posted on 24/3/20
"Told weemanfrom that school is closed because there’s a bug making people sick. He didn’t understand at first as, being a yank"
posted on 24/3/20
comment by GTWI4T- some people deserve to get trolled (U6008)
posted 31 minutes ago
My oldest is 7 and gets it. It's tough for him because he is so active and he loves sport. Playing in the garden doesn't cut it compared to his training and matches with his friends.
My middle one is 4 and doesn't get it but is just happy that she is at home with everyone and gets to play. We do video calls every day with all the family which help but lets be honest, none of the can really comprehend the longevity of this. At the moment it is all new and a bit "exciting" in 2 weeks time it will be tougher. The key thing is to understand that this will impact the children and behaviour will change with more "naughty" and not complying with boundaries. .You just have to tailor the way you parent accordingly.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thats a good point regarding what it will be like in a few weeks time.
As you say at the moment there is almost a novelty effect in some way for the kids and adults alike but as weeks roll by and this remains in place attitudes will change drastically
Also if this extends for a much longer period IE months and we start to come into better weather, folk will start cracking up if they are being forced to stay at home.
posted on 24/3/20
Tell the kids it's a worldwide game of run-outs or tag and the people are lava
posted on 24/3/20
My missus is a key worker and my work isn't shutting down so my 8 year old can and will have to go into his Primary school some days. We sent him in yesterday and there was nobody there from his year and only 7 kids in total (out of the usual 450). He took it on the chin but obviously found it very odd. Luckily he's pretty sociable and will make friends easily with kids of all ages but he did miss his regular mates.
He's not in today as I'm home but we have to send him tomorrow. His grandparents often help out with school pick ups so their absence has had to be explained and so far he's ok about it but its early days.
posted on 24/3/20
I had more trouble explaining it to my elderly parents than I did to my 8 year old daughter to be honest.
posted on 24/3/20
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 28 minutes ago
"Told weemanfrom that school is closed because there’s a bug making people sick. He didn’t understand at first as, being a yank"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cheeky ba$tard
posted on 24/3/20
Just tell them the truth and in as easier use of language as possible. Let them ask any questions. They might ask what is a virus. Just explain the best you can. When they don't understand a word either explain what that word means or use a different word (or sentence).
It's best to be open and honest.
posted on 24/3/20
Imagine telling them that Liverpool have won the title
posted on 24/3/20
My 5 and 4 yrd old have a million questions.
My missus and I are both working from home.
Its been a tough week adjusting. They know there's a virus and they've been telling my wife and I off every time we cough or sneeze and use our hands. They gesture to show how to cough into our elbows.
Kids are resilient. Though i do wonder what they will be like in 6mths time when they have to return to school.
The 4yr old starts in reception and so getting him back into a routine will be hard. The 5yr old not so much.
More importantly, they're home, we all are and are safe.
posted on 24/3/20
comment by Manfrombelmonty (U1705)
posted 3 hours, 11 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 28 minutes ago
"Told weemanfrom that school is closed because there’s a bug making people sick. He didn’t understand at first as, being a yank"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cheeky ba$tard
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Howareya Manfrom?
posted on 24/3/20
"Explaining Coronavirus to a six year old"
Is that what the experts said about explaining it to Boris?
posted on 24/3/20
Explaining to a 5 year old that if Dad catches it, with his compromised immune system then he will not be very well is just as difficult.
And that we will be at home together for 12 weeks.
posted on 24/3/20
Thank you for the comments guys. It's obviously a difficult time for us all. I work with children at risk of sexual exploitation and I do agree that children can be very resilient. We work so hard to protect our own from the horrors of this world but in this case honesty seems to be working. An internet forum can provide priceless support. Stay safe everyone.
Page 1 of 1