I long for the sound of silence. Honestly, I can’t recall what it feels like to have a moment of quietude. Right now, my world is filled with a cacophony of noise, ringing in at what feels like 100 decibels all day long. Ever since our quarantine began, I have lost the luxury of daytime peace. My six-year-old simply doesn’t grasp the concept of being quiet. At all. I can feel my sanity fraying. If you have friends with spirited children—check in on them; we are struggling over here.
When we first learned we’d be confined to our home for an indefinite period, I panicked—not because I dislike being at home; I actually enjoy it. The real concern for me was knowing my energetic child would be bouncing off the walls by the end of the first weekend. Kids with boundless energy cannot be contained for too long without turning into little tornadoes. The prospect of being trapped in our small apartment with my wild child was genuinely daunting.
Let’s be clear: any child confined indoors for too long can exhibit chaotic behavior. That’s true for almost everyone. But for energetic kids, this is amplified. They seem to have an endless reservoir of energy, waking up fully charged and maintaining that level until they finally crash at night. No amount of coaxing to relax works. For children like mine, we must constantly seek ways to expend their excess energy, and being indoors limits many of our options.
Staying indoors with these lively children makes it nearly impossible to accomplish anything beyond mere survival. They climb, run, and bounce around the house, turning it into their playground. The challenge becomes exponentially harder when outdoor options are removed. I never realized how much I relied on our outdoor activities for my own sanity until they were taken away.
When school is out, we typically spend a lot of time outside. There’s a park nearby with a playground that we frequent, where my son can run freely, and I can enjoy a few peaceful moments in the sun with a book. Our other go-to spot is a local fast-food restaurant with a PlayPlace. There, he plays energetically while I catch up on reading and enjoy some fries without having to cook. But now that those places are closed, my son has no outlet for his energy, and it’s pushing me to my limits—or at least rapidly aging me.
Living in a compact apartment means I depend heavily on outdoor spaces; my son can only run back and forth so many times before it becomes monotonous. A brief 15-minute walk around the neighborhood with our dog barely scratches the surface of his needs. For him, a stroll is merely a means to an end, and it fails to fulfill his physical requirements. He often returns home just as energized as before we left.
I’m perfectly okay with the idea of staying at home. I have everything I need—my comfortable bed, a TV, and an endless supply of snacks. If it weren’t for my dog’s need for walks, I could easily hibernate in my cozy space. However, my child is the complete opposite. He frequently asks, “Where are we going today?” I’ve learned that a vague “Nowhere” isn’t a satisfying answer. That’s why we’re both struggling.
On days when it’s clear he’s going stir-crazy, I can’t simply tell him to grab his scooter and head to the park. The absence of opportunities to spend time at the PlayPlace is just as hard for me as it is for him. Being confined to a small space, knowing we can’t escape, may ultimately be what drives us both to our breaking point. Energetic kids are bundles of kinetic energy, and if they don’t release it, they can explode, leaving their parents in the blast zone.
So, reach out to your friends with rambunctious children, because while they dash around us, we truly need support.
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Summary:
Being stuck indoors with an energetic child during quarantine can test a parent’s patience and sanity. The lack of outdoor activities to burn off excess energy leads to heightened chaos and frustration for both parent and child. While many parents enjoy the comforts of home, the absence of outdoor options significantly affects their ability to cope. It’s vital for friends and family to check in on those navigating the challenges of parenting spirited children during this time.