Mental Health in Lockdown

It's no secret that Covid-19 has, and still is, having a massive effect on all of us. For someone who suffers with anxiety and worries a lot, this "lockdown" has been quite difficult.

Don't get me wrong, we have absolutely great days! Mayarna's speech has developed so much. She is now starting to form sentences, her fine motor skills are getting stronger as she learns to stack things neatly and she enjoys helping with housework, such as putting the clothes in the washing machine and putting things in the bin. Zenayah has also come on in leaps and bounds. At 4 and a half months she is now reaching out for things and has mastered how to pull off her scratch mitts (cheeky!). Mayarna loves playing with Zenayah, and Zenayah loves watching her play and laughs at her, which is too cute!

But it also comes with difficult days. Mayarna is in the terrible 2 phase (yes it's real, I didn't believe it existed) where she kicks off for the smallest of things! I opened her banana to eat, OJ picked her up, the wrong song was playing on YouTube. Just a few examples of why Mayarna has had a full meltdown, screaming at the top of her lungs like someone had been trying to murder her. Mayarna now wants to fall asleep feeling my skin (her head on my arm) which is all good and well, unless I'm breastfeeding Zenayah and she starts to scream. Loudly. And refuses to go to OJ. 

I have had days where I have been so drained. I have cried, not slept and wanted to quit everything. But I have turned to OJ (yes we have snapped at each other too) and spoken to him and he's helped so much. He will take Mayarna outside, or cuddle Zenayah whilst I try get Mayarna to sleep. Little things, help so much.

I wanted to get an insight into how others are finding the current situation and Clare from @akalilblu kindly share her experience with us so far.

How are you coping since lockdown started? 

Lock down started the day after we came out of our 2-week isolation, but I feel like we are getting by well, but it's not without its ups and down moments.

How are you entertaining your children? 

My daughter is 4 and in her last year before starting school. Her pre-school is sending some worksheets and ideas for activities for her to do, so we are doing lots of arts and crafts & writing practice. We have been doing cosmic yoga on you tube and taking her scooter out for exercises. We have also walked to my parents’ house once a week with essentials for them. We take a new route which takes us through woodlands and fields with lambs and horses, so it's our weekly nature lesson. She is also a fan of YouTuber Adley Mcbride and loves watching her updates. Otherwise we build dens, have in door picnics (we have no garden) and just play or chill with a movie and cuddles. 

What have been your highest and lowest parts? 

The highest parts for me are our walks in nature. We both are calmer and happier for them. We also have enjoyed our one on one time and taking part in the clap for carers each week. I give her whatever she wants to make noise with and just let her go mad. The low parts are not having a garden, seeing loved ones but for me, 100% watching how it's effecting my daughter. She's an only child so has not played with another child since 13th March. Her frustration is quite evident at times and although she has an amazing understanding of what's going on, she can’t fully get the magnitude of it. She has always been a confident and sociable child, but now she gets quite shy even on the phone to people she knows. 

How has lockdown impacted your child's mental health? 

She is struggling with her emotions. Early on, she burst into tears after seeing a lady who goes to her preschool and still refuses to do her workshops weeks later. This is her favourite class at school normally. She is a lot more prone to sudden 'silly' tantrums and lashing out. She is enjoying the one on one time though and we definitely have got closer and she talks about her feelings more. The other thing is her night terrors have returned and they are most nights. She has even started sleep walking again which she hasn't done in over a year. But we are finding more effective ways to work through them together and things are getting easier for sure.

Going forward, what methods do you have in place to get to through the lockdown?

Routine has been key. We get up, have breakfast as we would normally, do our exercises and get dressed (unless its our weekly pj day) then we either walk at preschool drop off or pick up time. We do any essentials during this time too. I have called friends and family on FaceTime and I encourage her to think of our crafts project ideas. We have a great relationship with her pre-school, and should they open on June 1st I am happy with the measures in place for her to return. I feel it is important for her mental health and helping her to cope in September when she starts her new school. 

Walking has been another key factor to our wellbeing too. And we have a variety of different walks now. Our walks in nature are 100% the most beneficial.  Another key factor has been us helping others. And doing what we can. It gives us projects to think of and helps us keep in contact with others. Our community here has been amazing, and we have done quite a bit to help our local organisations and businesses. 

We are also making sure we both get regular exercise. She has yoga and I have Zumba which we do most days. We also have been making a few changes to our flat and she helps me with tidying and housework which she LOVES. We are now planning an outdoor picnic and may go feed the ducks too. I have also just ordered her a tablet so she can play some of the games she likes. (Wowcher sale £29.99 from £129.99 #winning) 

A big thank you to Clare for sharing how this is impacting her daughter and herself.

Mental Health is a major thing that affects not only adults, but children too. If you are reading this and need help in any shape or form, please do not hesitate to contact me at themummybouchronicles@gmail.com or @themummybouchronicles

Thank you for reading and Stay Safe!

-x- Michaela -x-