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For anyone with young grandkids who might be worrying

(29 Posts)
BlueBelle Sun 22-Mar-20 09:02:08

I saw this poem and thought how lovely it was for little kids who may be confused and scared

A beautiful poem for children to understand what’s going on during this challenging time

? ? ? ? ? ?

The Time We Spring-Cleaned the World

The world it got so busy,
There were people all around.
They left their germs behind them;
In the air and on the ground.

These germs grew bigger and stronger.
They wanted to come and stay.
They didn’t want to hurt anyone -
They just really wanted to play.

Sometimes they tried to hold your hand,
Or tickled your throat or your nose.
They could make you cough and sneeze
And make your face as red as a rose.

And so these germs took over.
They started to make people ill,
And with every cough we coughed
More and more germs would spill.

All the queens and kings had a meeting.
“It’s time to clean the world up!” they said.
And so they had to close lots of fun stuff,
Just so these germs couldn’t spread.

We couldn’t go to cinemas
Or restaurants for our tea.
There was no football or parties,
The world got as quiet as can be.

The kids stopped going to school,
The mums and dads went to work less.
Then a great, big, giant scrubbing brush
Cleaned the sky and the sea and the mess!

Dads started teaching the sums,
Big brothers played with us more,
Mums were in charge of homework
And we read and played jigsaws galore!

The whole world was washing their hands
And building super toilet roll forts!
Outside was quiet and peaceful,
Now home was the place for all sports.

So we played in the world that was home
And our days filled up with fun and love,
And the germs they grew smaller and smaller
And the sun watched from up above.

Then one morning the sun woke up early,
She smiled and stretched her beams wide.
The world had been fully spring cleaned,
It was time to go back outside!

We opened our doors oh so slowly
And breathed in the clean and fresh air.
We promised that forever and always
Of this beautiful world we’d take care!

Credit: Louise Gribbons wrote this ?
I don’t know who a Louise Gibhons is but it’s a cracking way to explain it all

Jazz2 Mon 04-May-20 10:03:22

@BlueBelle Louise Gribbons is an English teacher at Hunterhouse College in Belfast

GreenGran78 Mon 23-Mar-20 11:49:03

I will pass this on. It’s a lovely simple explanation of a situation that can be very scary to young children.
These are worrying times, especially for anyone with young children. I have a 3 year old GD in Australia, and also a DIL there who is due to give birth in May. I am anxious for them, but my circumstances are much better than many other Gransnetters.
I hope that you all stay safe.

BlueBelle Mon 23-Mar-20 05:19:25

hondagirl and everhopeful this poem might help your young grandkids who are upset

CrazyGranny60 Mon 23-Mar-20 01:53:33

That is so lovely. I've shared it all over the place. It even made me feel better! X

hulahoop Sun 22-Mar-20 22:38:10

What a beautiful poem hope the ending happens in not the too distant future . I have sent it to my daughter . Sounds like it's been a weepy day for a lot of us ?keep safe everyone x

gillybob Sun 22-Mar-20 22:28:50

Thank you for sharing the poem BlueBelle my young grandson (10) is very worried about all of this. I don’t know what to say to reassure him that everything will be okay (will it?).

I’m so sorry for you Beebee67 I know exactly what you mean . My DD is a single mother with a 22 month old baby and she has been told not to go to work tomorrow. She’s been crying to me on the phone tonight, frightened for the future and her baby and I feel so helpless. Don’t know what to sa6 to make her feel better. I am frightened for her mental health if she is forced to be alone and may consider bringing her here with us. Trouble is she has been landed with a dog (long story) and my DH is very allergic .

Jomarie Sun 22-Mar-20 22:17:56

Beautiful - thank you flowers flowers

Mbuya Sun 22-Mar-20 22:09:30

So reassuring with so much hope. Thank you.

Foxynan Sun 22-Mar-20 18:45:21

Blue belle
What a lovely poem for little children, it nearly brought me to tears.
Keep safe everybody x

Greenfinch Sun 22-Mar-20 17:28:58

Thanks for this. I have just posted it off to my three youngest grandchildren.

Beebee67 Sun 22-Mar-20 17:08:04

I’ve sadly had the worst Mother’s Day for various reasons, followed by both my husband and I completely overwhelmed and in floods of tears over everything happening at the moment. Reading this lovely poem has so cheered me up. Many thanks

Peardrop50 Sun 22-Mar-20 17:03:37

Sorry BlueBelle

Peardrop50 Sun 22-Mar-20 17:02:49

Thank you Bluebell

LizzieGawler Sun 22-Mar-20 14:35:46

What a lovely poem shall certainly pass it on to my darling grandchildren, I miss them so much. Stay safe everyone

Lizbethann55 Sun 22-Mar-20 14:12:53

Hopefully , by the time Christmas comes, we will all be looking slightly bemused and saying "what on earth was that all about? Did that really happen?"

Tillybelle Sun 22-Mar-20 13:36:31

Petalpop Good luck my love. I don't know if it helps, but when melt down comes over me I try and not take myself seriously and say "It'll pass". I think somehow we will get through this. We'll find out how strong we are. But when you need to cry, then cry. Or even, as Mrs Tishall on Doc Martin says "Just you holler".
Lots of love Elle x ? ☕️

Tillybelle Sun 22-Mar-20 13:30:52

BlueBelle Louise Gribbons

Perfect!

Thank you.

Petalpop Sun 22-Mar-20 12:50:05

Beautiful. I have been in melt down this morning so although the poem brought more tears to my eyes it made me see the light at the end of the tunnel. I shall print it out too essjay and read to my GD my GS is still a baby so maybe he can read it when he has a history lesson in years to come and reads about 2020 and how we got through it.

EllanVannin Sun 22-Mar-20 12:44:08

That is a great way to teach children and for them also to understand what is a very confusing time for them. Thankyou for putting that up it makes sense for us adults too.

3nanny6 Sun 22-Mar-20 12:39:39

Thank-you I loved this poem, thing is it is a bit long and my GC will start to get bored and will be asking questions after about 2 lines every time so it will be hard to get to the end of it.

Purplepixie Sun 22-Mar-20 12:34:05

Thank you for sharing and thank You to Louise it’s so lovely and a great way to explain to my grand kids! X

Laurensnan Sun 22-Mar-20 12:30:36

How wonderful! I will reading that to my grandchildren today ❤️

Lizbethann55 Sun 22-Mar-20 12:22:07

Oh!! That is so lovely!! Never mind "for the children ", this granny loves it!

anti Sun 22-Mar-20 12:20:03

Beautiful and so well explained to little ones. I will be sending this to my grandchildren! Thank you.

essjay Sun 22-Mar-20 11:56:05

a big teary thank you from me as well, i am going to print it out to read to my grandchildren x