Summary

The website content discusses a 10-year-old girl's perspective on the pandemic lockdown in Spain, focusing on her experiences and feelings during the seven weeks of quarantine.

Abstract

The article delves into the personal impact of the 2020 pandemic lockdown on children in Spain, through the eyes of a 10-year-old girl named Keiara. It highlights the challenges faced by families, particularly those in small apartments without balconies, and the emotional toll on children who cannot fully grasp the reasons behind the strict lockdown measures. Keiara shares her mixed feelings about the lockdown, expressing both adaptation to the new routine and a longing for her previous life, including her friends, school, and especially her horses. The article underscores the importance of hobbies, like reading, in coping with the situation and the joy of rediscovering nature during the limited allowance for short walks after seven weeks of confinement.

Opinions

Children in Spain have been significantly affected by the lockdown, with many experiencing emotional distress due to the inability to go outside.
The strict lockdown rules, including high fines for non-compliance, have been particularly challenging for families with small children in cramped living conditions.
Keiara, the 10-year-old daughter, has mixed feelings about the lockdown, missing her friends, school, and horses, but also appreciating the extra time for sleep and discovering new hobbies.
The lockdown has led to a shift in daily routines, with children like Keiara experiencing disrupted sleep patterns and an excess of energy.
Keiara expresses a deep connection with her horses and concerns about them forgetting her, indicating the profound impact of the lockdown on her passions and emotional well-being.
The article suggests that children have found ways to adapt and even thrive amidst the lockdown, with Keiara developing a newfound love for reading and finding creative outlets.
The lifting of some restrictions, allowing children to go on short walks, has been met with relief and a renewed appreciation for the outdoors and nature.
There is a hint of humor in the observation that during the lockdown, children and pets have gained a momentary upper hand in public spaces, which are typically adult-dominated.

My Daughter’s Perspective on Pandemic Lockdown 2020

Children in Spain have been locked inside for six weeks during the Pandemic 2020. This story is about my 10 years old daughter and her perspective on the current pandemic, in Spain.

Free the Children. Parents shout in Spain from their balconies!

The majority of us, all over the world have been under lockdown for over a month. In Spain, we are completing the 7th week inside our homes. The difference between Spain and the other countries is that children were not allowed to step a foot outside.

We can’t even go for a drive around the block, only if it is essential. The fines are sky high for going out without purpose. If you do, it may cost you 601 Euros and if you drive without permission or purpose is about 1500 Euros.

I do not want to complain about the lockdown or have another emotional meltdown. We always read emotional rants about how adults complain about the quarantine, social distancing et cetera.

Sometimes it feels like we live only in the adult world where children have no voice, or space to express their opinions, feelings, and fears.

Yet, imagine in Spain 70% of the families live in small apartments, meaning 50–70 sqm without balconies. Many families have little children, ages below 10. I read many stories on social media about how kids are suffering from insomnia, have more tantrums, or cry most of the day.

And I don’t blame them. Can you imagine a little kid asking mom to go out and the mom or dad says no for six weeks? They cannot comprehend or analyze, yet what it means. I can not go to play outside. Why? Virus? Pandemic? What is it?

I interviewed my daughter, Keiara to see her perspective of this lockdown and how the seven weeks of quarantine impacted her life.

How are you doing after 7 weeks locked inside?

I am doing good. I go to sleep when I like, and I wake up anytime I want. I miss my friends a little, but I really miss school and my horses. I don’t think there is anything else, more important. And of course, daddy. I miss him.

How does your body feel?

Not bad actually, I feel okay, but I am not tired, I have a hard time falling asleep, sometimes it is actually after 2 AM when I am out.

How are you doing emotionally and mentally?

I kind of got used to it. Yes, I miss my old life, but I found creative things to do. Especially, I found my new love for books. And I enjoy reading. I am exhausted because my sleeping habits are all-over-place.

I do not feel tired even if it is 2 AM, I have a hard time falling asleep, and then in the morning, I have a hard time waking up. I have too much energy, and I even started to climb our roof of the house.

What do you miss the most?

Besides missing my daddy, I miss my horses and the stables. Horses are my passion and without horses, I am sad. I worry that I will forget how to ride them, or they will forget about me and my smell. Horses recognize you just from smelling you. I miss them so much.

Also, I miss school, my teacher, and the classroom.

What do you miss the least?

I don’t miss the whole school because the little kids are very loud, and they tend to scream a lot. I don’t miss that at all. And certainly, I don’t miss waking up early to go to school, the city pollution, and the dirty school bathrooms.

What did you learn from it?

I learned to fall in love with a different book series. Hobbies are especially important during a pandemic because when you find something that you enjoy doing, the time flies. However, everything with my mom is possible. Now, the most important things in my life are my books, pencils, and my mom. I hope daddy is on his way.

How was your first week with the allowance to go for short walks?

It was very green, so green. I never saw Granada so green since we moved here. The first time after 7 weeks, I saw kids splashing in the river. It was a beautiful moment. I missed nature.

And the most amusing thing is now that adults can go now only with kids or dogs. It is a nice feeling that finally, kids rule in Granada, not the adults.