Life in Covid-19 lockdown from a child's perspective: I’m a kid ... get me out of here!

Lughaidh Smyth, 13, grappling with his siblings for a laptop.

From wanting God to use his super powers to banish the virus, to going bowling for 10 days straight when everything returns to ‘normal’, Susan O’Shea finds out what children really think of Covid-19, what it feels like to be in lockdown for so long, the stresses of sibling rivalry, and what kids miss the most

Culann Higgins, age four

The coronavirus is something people give to other people, but I don’t really know what it is. Lockdown means we have to stay in the house, we can’t go outside, but we can eat outside, and go for walks. We do school in our house, my mum is my múinteoir, she’s a good múinteoir but I miss June, my real múintoeir.

I would prefer to be back in school, I miss my friends, and I miss my dad (serving overseas). I want coronavirus to be over, I hate it. I wish God would take away the coronavirus with his super powers, he has the power to wash it all away. I wish I had a secret passageway in my house that would take us to Kerry.

Molly Crossan, age seven

I think the virus is a bug you get from living too close to animals, and we are in lockdown because the virus is spreading from person to person very quickly.

I can’t go to school or to my friends’ birthday parties, but at home I am doing experiments and learning about birds. I miss playing with my friends in the school yard and going to the swimming pool.

When everything is back to ‘normal’ I am looking forward to going to the restaurant for my little brother’s birthday meal, having fish and chips, and ice cream for dessert. My mammy and daddy both still have to work but we have more family time. When the lockdown is lifted the first thing I will do is go and see my cousins and have fun with them.

Sadhbh Kane, age six

Sadhbh (6) and Saoirse (8) Kane, branching out together

The virus is a germ that is green and has mini spikes. It makes you very, very sick.

You must stay at home so you won’t catch it. When we heard ‘stay at home from school’, I was a bit upset. I miss my friends. I wish we could meet again and we could play. I am looking forward to hugging my nan and grandad and giving them a big kiss. It is nice to see mum and dad at home.

I have been doing homework, playing board games, basketball and Fancy Dress Friday with Joe Wicks. I also learned how to ride my bike… I was so afraid to learn, because it was wobbly, it was really hard. After the lockdown I want to go to Centre Parcs and go on the big slide and the zip wire and cycle without my stabilisers, and go to the pancake restaurant.

Saoirse Kane, age eight

I know the virus is called Covid-19 and it can be dangerous for the elderly. I think the lockdown was a good idea. It is good to help the elderly as they are vulnerable. How did it spread so fast? I really want things to get back to normal …

If things go back to normal, it would be a Star Wars miracle.

Having to keep 2m away from the people you love is the hardest thing you could ever think of doing — like nan and grandad and my friends.

I know I am not old enough for this but when the lockdown ends, I’d like to jump out of a plane. And I can’t wait to bounce a basketball to someone other than mum and dad!

What’s been good about more time with my sister? I can’t even answer that question. She hasn’t ripped out all my hair yet.

Holly O’Hagan, age 11

I think the virus is a deadly illness that sooner or later we’ll get over. I think we are in lockdown because the government doesn’t want us to spread the virus to others and to keep the vulnerable people safe. If I bump into one of my friends, I can’t go over and just give them a gigantic hug.

I can only wave to them or air hug two meters away. I really would do anything to see my friends and give them a big hug. When things get back to normal I’m looking forward to lots and lots of things like seeing my friends and just the world being normal again.

I think it’s fine having my mum and dad around... most of the time.

Seán O’Hagan, age six

The virus is a very bad thing that everyone is afraid of but it’s going to be okay, children don’t usually get it. But if you’re older you have to cocoon until this is gone. I can’t go to parties and I can’t go to school and ... life’s changed for me like not going over to play dates and my friends not coming over here.

I am most looking forward to seeing my friends and them seeing me and that’s all. It’s good having my mum and dad around at home because I get to see them lots. The first thing I would like to do when the lockdown is lifted is to go bowling 10 days in-a-row.

Eve Moody, age seven

I think the virus is made from animals, and contact with them. If old people or sick people get coronavirus, the chances of them dying are kind of likely. We are in lockdown because if kids get it, they’ll spread it. And no one wants Covid 19! Lockdown means not going to school. Not seeing my friends. Not being able to go on really long walks and seeing my nanny and my nana.

I’m not able to see mum too much in the house ‘cos she’s working. I know this isn’t every kid’s dream, but I miss my homework, ’cos some of it was fun. Hopefully I’ll try and have a birthday party with other people, 'cause my birthday was in Covid 19. But I did get to have some fun on my birthday — we had a fancy lunch in the tent, and a chocolate biscuit cake with strawberry icing.

Lughaidh Smyth, age 13 (pictured)

I think the coronavirus is a pain, it has put my life on hold. At the start I thought it would be great, no school, but I didn’t realise that meant I can’t do sport, go out with friends or go near cousins and grandparents. The thing I miss the most is swimming and soccer.

It’s nice having my parents home but sometimes the tension gets to us and quarrels start. We are all getting homework online and we fight over the devices we want to use. Other times it’s great crack and we do quizzes on Zoom with cousins and grandparents. The thing I want to do when quarantine is over is go out with my friends and play.

Samuel O’Mahony, age six

Samuel O'Mahony, with brother Jacob.

At first I thought the virus was like a bug with big teeth that bit you, it didn’t make sense that you couldn’t see it or that it might be on your hand. I watched a Storybots video about viruses and I felt better. I feel good and safe at home; if you high five or elbow anybody you pass the virus on.

I like spending time with mum and dad and my brother and sister. But I miss going to Hillbilly’s for pizza and going to nan’s house. And I even miss going to the beach and watching the waves crashing on the land. And looking at the toys in Tesco and sometimes buying them. My friends are in their own houses and I can’t visit them. The first thing I want to do when it’s over is go to the model railway (in Clonakilty).

AJ Doherty, aged eight

The virus is a very dangerous disease that hurts people. We need to be in lockdown to try and send corona away and stop people getting sick. Since the lockdown, I get to spend more time with my family in my house and I am very lucky that I live with my nanna and ganga and mum and dad. I like that.

It’s (mostly) fantastic having mum and dad at home all day.

The thing I miss the most is that I can’t go camping. I am looking forward to doing everything when things go back to normal, but the first thing I am going to do is go camping.