Coronavirus – Our family life in lockdown with teens

So sorry that I have been quiet on my blog. Like many people I have been struggling with life as we now know it, and putting thoughts and feelings into words has seemed impossible some days. But today is the first day I have felt like opening up the laptop, and putting my thoughts and feelings into writing.

Lockdown with teens

We are no doubt dealing with life like many other families and people around the world. Swaying between days of utter despair and sadness, the days where we feel so out of control, and just want to curl up in a ball until it’s all over. And the okay days that arrive, the days where we can get out of bed and face the day, almost with a smile on our faces.

Living in lockdown with teens has been surprisingly okay. Katie (aged 14) was always out with her friends when life was normal, and I worried how she would react to lockdown. But she seems to be coping well, and thank goodness for House Party, Snapchat and whatever else keeps our teens connected.

Morgan (aged 17) again is coping brilliantly, though he is missing the gym. He has had to face his A Levels being cancelled, and a very abrupt end to 6th form, after being at his High School for 7 years. One positive to come out of this, is that his conditional offer for UNI was changed to an unconditional offer, which means he will be off to Liverpool John Moores to study Psychology in September (fingers crossed anyway).

The husband works in Science and is a key worker, though he has been working from home to protect me (I am classed as vulnerable). It seems to be going well, and I am really thankful for our playroom which has been turned into his office in the day, and an extra living room for the evenings.

And as for me, well I’m doing okay. I am of course worried about contracting Coronavirus, having had problems with my lungs since July, and being diagnosed with Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis in November. The good news is that I have finally stopped taking steroids, after being on them for 5 months. I was gradually weaned off them, and on Tuesday I took my final tablet. My breathing is still good, and I just need to stay home and be safe.

Like many other people we are finding our way in the ‘new normal’. The teenagers seem happy in their rooms chatting away to their friends, and our motto is ‘Happy and Healthy’. We have tea around the table each night, and on Saturdays we play Trivial Pursuit, the winner gets a fiver. Yes, you do occasionally have to bribe teenagers, especially in lockdown to enjoy some ‘family fun’.

In amongst this surreal life, there has been some incredibly sad moments. One of my close friends sadly lost her step mum, and last week Katie’s Science teacher, aged just 35 died. It brings home how this virus is affecting everybody.

Stay home and stay safe. And if you are a key worker in whatever capacity, THANK YOU xx

12 thoughts on “Coronavirus – Our family life in lockdown with teens”

  1. It is incredibly sad and scary with so many people being affected by the virus. I am glad you are doing ok and are able to shield yourself. You have suffered a lot over the last while and I know I have been worried about you getting it. Glad the kids are coping ok and I know it’s hard. Stay well and look after yourself xx

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    • Aw thank you Susan and sorry for worrying you. I have not left the house in 6 weeks and I am doing everything I can to stay safe. I hope you and the family are doing well too x

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  2. I love that you have a family game of Trivial Pursuit and it sounds like the teens are coping pretty well with everything. So sorry to hear that you know people who have died. It is a really scary time and that must bring home just how close it is. Keep staying safe! x

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    • Thank you Sarah, yes I have been really amazed as to how well they have been coping, especially Katie who is always out with her friends. Hearing such sad news around us has really hit home how scary it is out there x

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  3. That’s great that your kids are coping well with the lockdown & well done to Morgan on getting the place at uni. I am glad your health seems to be better, it must be a worry for you. Take care and stay safe x

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    • Thank you Kim, it definitely is a worry but we are all staying in pretty much and staying safe. Hope you are too and the girls are coping with the new normal x

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  4. Its such an awful scary time isn’t it? I am so grateful for crafting as it is keeping me quite focused, I am so surprised at how the boys adjusted too, they really do surprise you dont they? Take care and stay safe x

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    • All your crafting looks amazing Sarah, and glad it is keeping you focused. Yes the teens certainly can surprise you can’t they, and hope you and the boys are all ok x

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  5. It sounds as though you are all managing really well, I do feel sorry for the teenagers as their social lives are so important and to have school finish so abruptly for those moving on was pretty brutal really. I haven’t been able to persuade mine to play any board games but we are enjoying family mealtimes together and did a family quiz last night which was fun. I hope you manage to stay safe. Love the new blog look btw x

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    • Aw thank you Nikki, I got a new theme when life was normal (remember that) and have been playing around in the background with it. I bet the family quiz was good fun, we have done a few of them, though just me and Hywel. Good to keep the old brain cells active isn’t it. Take care x

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  6. Sounds like you’ve made the best out of the situation you’re in. Love the idea of paying the teens to play!

    Sorry so many have not made it, and I hope coming out of shielding isn’t too frightening x

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