'I miss math the most': life under lockdown for a seven-year-old

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Since 11 March, I’ve been home with my wife and two daughters, Madelyn, 12, and Meira, seven. The schools here in Charlottesville closed two days later. Since then, we’ve gone out only for groceries, for walks, or playtime – there is a pocket park in our neighborhood where the kids can run in the grass, and a small patch of nearby woods. My wife and I are fortunate to have jobs we can work remotely, though the collapse of barriers between work and home life is a frequent source of strife. Everything is compressed – time, space, interactions.

I have been photographing my family for as long as I can remember, but now it seems to carry a certain urgency. I’m watching my daughters grow older, taller, smarter. This would all occur normally, but our daily proximity makes it more apparent. I grow older, and more saddened by the weight of the world. I find myself thinking about how hard this must be for my kids (and children around the world), and how it will affect them long-term.

The emotional responses of my own children manifest in different ways, depending on the day. I talked to my youngest about it, hoping her answers might allow me to see this historic event from her perspective. Here is what she told me.

I miss my friends, and I miss learning. I miss math the most

Meira with a prism, at home in Charlottesville. Photograph: Matt Eich/The Guardian

My favorite part of the day is when we go outside. We go to the creek. We find crawfish and build forts

Left, Melissa goes to get groceries. Right, at Chris Greene Lake Park. Photograph: Matt Eich/The Guardian

My least favorite is when we have to clean up. We have to clean up pretty often

It’s not very often that we get to play, and we don’t get to play as long now

Left: At Chris Greene Lake in Charlottesville. Right: Upside-down at home. — Left, at Chris Greene Lake in Charlottesville. Right, upside-down at home. Photograph: Matt Eich/The Guardian

Inside we watch movies and play games. I like Savage Sam and Old Yeller, and I like playing matching games

Meira sleeping, Charlottesville, 24 March. Photograph: Matt Eich/The Guardian

Madelyn looking out her window, Charlottesville, 21 March. Photograph: Matt Eich/The Guardian

Untitled, Charlottesville, 7 April. Photograph: Matt Eich/The Guardian

I went under the table when my grandparents were talking because my sister kept hitting me. Well, she was poking me

Meira pouting under the table, Charlottesville, 21 March. Photograph: Matt Eich/The Guardian

eggs and hair

Left, Melissa braiding Maddie’s hair, Charlottesville, Virginia April 17, 2020. Right: Untitled (Eggs), Charlottesville, Virginia April 12, 2020.

I like to lay in the sun next to mommy. It feels nice.

Meira in the sun, Charlottesville, 26 March. Photograph: Matt Eich/The Guardian

I think we have to do this for maybe a few months. When it’s over I will probably play with my friends for two hours

Making wishes, Charlottesville, 12 April 2020. — Making wishes, Charlottesville, 12 April. Photograph: Matt Eich/The Guardian

Meira’s windowsill, Charlottesville, 3 April. Photograph: Matt Eich/The Guardian

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