Social Distancing and my kids' sanity: what are you guys doing - honestly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a 6 year old, a 4 year old, and a 2 month old. We are only doing outside play dates with masks on with one family. Kids have been trained not to touch each other and keep masks on. We also do playgrounds if the playground is empty (will go to a field if not. I have 3 friends who come by once month in my driveway outside and we stay more than six feet apart and wear masks. Otherwise the kids and us are totally and completely social distancing. Husband goes to grocery store once every two weeks. At this point we’ve been doing this for close to 5 months. I feel bad but I don’t want to contribute to the spread, nor do I want to die alone in a hospital. Or even be alone in a hospital for a week.

Your kids lives are over. Please go tell them this is their existence for the next 18 months, and see how they react.

You realize your kids are pretty lucky if their biggest problem is staying home and only socializing virtually right? It's not forever and it's people like you that are making this worse. Deal with it and stop thinking you and your kid should get a pass on socializing, YOU ARE NOT SPECIAL. Get it together so this gets under control and then we can all get back to normal.

+1 This is why Americans are not welcome in the EU.

[Anonymous]

DS 8 is allowed to have outdoor playdates with two friends. We know both of those families have been isolating. We told both families that DS was seeing another friend. They told us what they had done with a few other friends of theirs. The kids stayed outside for the most part. We did allow some video game time but it was limited. Prepackaged snacks and drinks. DS was so happy on those days. He has been in far better spirits since we started these. We do about 2-3 a week.

DH is playing singles tennis twice a week. I got my haircut (masks all round).

[Anonymous]

In our household we have 2 at risk people: my DH (autoimmune and HTN) and my MIL (literally everything). We have my parents his and brothers over to our house. I go grocery shopping once a week but we go every other week together to Costco. My son will wear a mask the entire time he is in the store, if he wouldnt keep it on we wouldnt take him.

Ive been avoiding parks and indoor playgrounds but no more. We have an only child and we are both working from home FT. When my DH has all day training it is really hard so I just take the FCRA leave and this week weve been to two playgrounds. Only kid at the first one and only 4 at the second one. Daily outside walks twice a day, we play outside in our yard but he doesnt get the same stimulation that daycare provides him because we are both working. Im seriously considering sending him back to his in-home daycare for 2 days a week.

It would be better if my DH's job acted like one: not everyone has a SAHM wife or two: that children are at home. These all day training days (8-530) screw our whole schedule up since there is no flexibility and his job has suggested that they will send him to a training in Denver in September

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In our household we have 2 at risk people: my DH (autoimmune and HTN) and my MIL (literally everything). We have my parents his and brothers over to our house. I go grocery shopping once a week but we go every other week together to Costco. My son will wear a mask the entire time he is in the store, if he wouldnt keep it on we wouldnt take him.

Ive been avoiding parks and indoor playgrounds but no more. We have an only child and we are both working from home FT. When my DH has all day training it is really hard so I just take the FCRA leave and this week weve been to two playgrounds. Only kid at the first one and only 4 at the second one. Daily outside walks twice a day, we play outside in our yard but he doesnt get the same stimulation that daycare provides him because we are both working. Im seriously considering sending him back to his in-home daycare for 2 days a week.

It would be better if my DH's job acted like one: not everyone has a SAHM wife or two: that children are at home. These all day training days (8-530) screw our whole schedule up since there is no flexibility and his job has suggested that they will send him to a training in Denver in September

Well. You win the award for the least responsible.

Why would everyone in your family go to Costco? I live in the Midwest where people aren’t nearly as nervous about Covid, and I never see people shopping in groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In our household we have 2 at risk people: my DH (autoimmune and HTN) and my MIL (literally everything). We have my parents his and brothers over to our house. I go grocery shopping once a week but we go every other week together to Costco. My son will wear a mask the entire time he is in the store, if he wouldnt keep it on we wouldnt take him.

Ive been avoiding parks and indoor playgrounds but no more. We have an only child and we are both working from home FT. When my DH has all day training it is really hard so I just take the FCRA leave and this week weve been to two playgrounds. Only kid at the first one and only 4 at the second one. Daily outside walks twice a day, we play outside in our yard but he doesnt get the same stimulation that daycare provides him because we are both working. Im seriously considering sending him back to his in-home daycare for 2 days a week.

It would be better if my DH's job acted like one: not everyone has a SAHM wife or two: that children are at home. These all day training days (8-530) screw our whole schedule up since there is no flexibility and his job has suggested that they will send him to a training in Denver in September

Well. You win the award for the least responsible.

Why would everyone in your family go to Costco? I live in the Midwest where people aren’t nearly as nervous about Covid, and I never see people shopping in groups.

Thanks so much for your snarky comment. BC its not busy and everyone is wearing a mask. Its a large, well-ventilated space where we can maintain 6 feet, the same cannot be said for other grocery stores. Its just my DH, myself and our son. My MIL doesnt go anyhwere.

We use hand sanitizer when we leave and wash our hands when we get home. We wear masks. We dont touch anything but what we buy, which is already going into our house anyways and we do not wipe down groceries nor leave them outside. My son walks or if in the cart, it is wiped down with wipes. I use bleach to wipe down frequently touched surfaces daily. There are frequently couples or a 3 person (or more) in our Costco. My DH does the meat section while I get produce and eggs and dry goods. It limits our time in there, which is also important.

[Anonymous]

Pattern in these threads:

Post: I’m going crazy, this is terrible.
Post: Suck it up, you first world entitled prick. If you can’t do this for a few months you’re a miserable excuse for a human being.
Post: That’s not reasonable. We’re allowing our raindrop to play with two people outside as long as they wear Saran Wrap.
Post: We decided to let our kids congregate in close quarters with elderly people and asthmatics. This is all overblown and we can’t live like this forever.
Post: You’re a monster!
Post: No, you’re the monster for judging that other monster!
Post: OMG, I’m going crazy, this is terrible.

[Repeat]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In our household we have 2 at risk people: my DH (autoimmune and HTN) and my MIL (literally everything). We have my parents his and brothers over to our house. I go grocery shopping once a week but we go every other week together to Costco. My son will wear a mask the entire time he is in the store, if he wouldnt keep it on we wouldnt take him.

Ive been avoiding parks and indoor playgrounds but no more. We have an only child and we are both working from home FT. When my DH has all day training it is really hard so I just take the FCRA leave and this week weve been to two playgrounds. Only kid at the first one and only 4 at the second one. Daily outside walks twice a day, we play outside in our yard but he doesnt get the same stimulation that daycare provides him because we are both working. Im seriously considering sending him back to his in-home daycare for 2 days a week.

It would be better if my DH's job acted like one: not everyone has a SAHM wife or two: that children are at home. These all day training days (8-530) screw our whole schedule up since there is no flexibility and his job has suggested that they will send him to a training in Denver in September

Well. You win the award for the least responsible.

Why would everyone in your family go to Costco? I live in the Midwest where people aren’t nearly as nervous about Covid, and I never see people shopping in groups.

Thanks so much for your snarky comment. BC its not busy and everyone is wearing a mask. Its a large, well-ventilated space where we can maintain 6 feet, the same cannot be said for other grocery stores. Its just my DH, myself and our son. My MIL doesnt go anyhwere.

We use hand sanitizer when we leave and wash our hands when we get home. We wear masks. We dont touch anything but what we buy, which is already going into our house anyways and we do not wipe down groceries nor leave them outside. My son walks or if in the cart, it is wiped down with wipes. I use bleach to wipe down frequently touched surfaces daily. There are frequently couples or a 3 person (or more) in our Costco. My DH does the meat section while I get produce and eggs and dry goods. It limits our time in there, which is also important.

You're fine PP. My whole family goes shopping now too.

We are also going to the pool and traveling and getting together with friends. (So, you see, I'm the least responsible one!)

You know your family best, and can do what works for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a 6 year old, a 4 year old, and a 2 month old. We are only doing outside play dates with masks on with one family. Kids have been trained not to touch each other and keep masks on. We also do playgrounds if the playground is empty (will go to a field if not. I have 3 friends who come by once month in my driveway outside and we stay more than six feet apart and wear masks. Otherwise the kids and us are totally and completely social distancing. Husband goes to grocery store once every two weeks. At this point we’ve been doing this for close to 5 months. I feel bad but I don’t want to contribute to the spread, nor do I want to die alone in a hospital. Or even be alone in a hospital for a week.

Your kids lives are over. Please go tell them this is their existence for the next 18 months, and see how they react.

What?? They are pretty happy! You’re a crazy person. Go back into your hole!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a 6 year old, a 4 year old, and a 2 month old. We are only doing outside play dates with masks on with one family. Kids have been trained not to touch each other and keep masks on. We also do playgrounds if the playground is empty (will go to a field if not. I have 3 friends who come by once month in my driveway outside and we stay more than six feet apart and wear masks. Otherwise the kids and us are totally and completely social distancing. Husband goes to grocery store once every two weeks. At this point we’ve been doing this for close to 5 months. I feel bad but I don’t want to contribute to the spread, nor do I want to die alone in a hospital. Or even be alone in a hospital for a week.

Your kids lives are over. Please go tell them this is their existence for the next 18 months, and see how they react.

What?? They are pretty happy! You’re a crazy person. Go back into your hole!

Five months being a prison of your anxiety? Sounds great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a 6 year old, a 4 year old, and a 2 month old. We are only doing outside play dates with masks on with one family. Kids have been trained not to touch each other and keep masks on. We also do playgrounds if the playground is empty (will go to a field if not. I have 3 friends who come by once month in my driveway outside and we stay more than six feet apart and wear masks. Otherwise the kids and us are totally and completely social distancing. Husband goes to grocery store once every two weeks. At this point we’ve been doing this for close to 5 months. I feel bad but I don’t want to contribute to the spread, nor do I want to die alone in a hospital. Or even be alone in a hospital for a week.

Your kids lives are over. Please go tell them this is their existence for the next 18 months, and see how they react.

What?? They are pretty happy! You’re a crazy person. Go back into your hole!

Five months being a prison of your anxiety? Sounds great.

I don’t think so. They are pretty young, they still get to play and socialize every day with our pod. And build robots. And play water games. Art Etc. One of them started to read. It’s been more like an 80’s summer break than anything else. You’re reaction seems telling. I’m actually less anxious than most because we have minimized risk the best we can and aren’t suffering moral injury.

[Anonymous]

We also have 3 kids 10, 16, 22. We are not caving at all. We are finding lots of online activities to keep the youngest one occupied as much as possible. We are very lucky that our girl is the oldest, because I cannot imagine her as a 13 year old going through this. She is struggling as a 22 year old college grad who was looking forward to a summer of fun and travelling before grad school. We are doing lots of activities with the entire family. We have family game night, a weekly bike ride and picnic. We have gone hiking every other week or so. We get them out and in nature as much as possible so they do not feel so cooped up in the house. We also make sure our kids know they can come and vent/talk to us whenever they need to. Our 16 year old and my husband have been having a "guys night" every few nights when they play video games together (keep in mind my husband is not a video game guy at all... I don't think he even played as a kid) and talk sports, what they think the future will look like, school worries, etc.. My daughter and I have started doing our nails together weekly (we bought a bunch of stuff on Amazon) and having a "spa day" once a week... I think we are all having to be creative and give our kids oulets to vent and express that this is a difficult time for everyone.

[Anonymous]

We are doing outdoor play dates. Kids are going to camp. We are seeing grandparents. There is always going to be some risk. We’re comfortable with what we’re doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In our household we have 2 at risk people: my DH (autoimmune and HTN) and my MIL (literally everything). We have my parents his and brothers over to our house. I go grocery shopping once a week but we go every other week together to Costco. My son will wear a mask the entire time he is in the store, if he wouldnt keep it on we wouldnt take him.

Ive been avoiding parks and indoor playgrounds but no more. We have an only child and we are both working from home FT. When my DH has all day training it is really hard so I just take the FCRA leave and this week weve been to two playgrounds. Only kid at the first one and only 4 at the second one. Daily outside walks twice a day, we play outside in our yard but he doesnt get the same stimulation that daycare provides him because we are both working. Im seriously considering sending him back to his in-home daycare for 2 days a week.

It would be better if my DH's job acted like one: not everyone has a SAHM wife or two: that children are at home. These all day training days (8-530) screw our whole schedule up since there is no flexibility and his job has suggested that they will send him to a training in Denver in September

Well. You win the award for the least responsible.

Why would everyone in your family go to Costco? I live in the Midwest where people aren’t nearly as nervous about Covid, and I never see people shopping in groups.

Thanks so much for your snarky comment. BC its not busy and everyone is wearing a mask. Its a large, well-ventilated space where we can maintain 6 feet, the same cannot be said for other grocery stores. Its just my DH, myself and our son. My MIL doesnt go anyhwere.

We use hand sanitizer when we leave and wash our hands when we get home. We wear masks. We dont touch anything but what we buy, which is already going into our house anyways and we do not wipe down groceries nor leave them outside. My son walks or if in the cart, it is wiped down with wipes. I use bleach to wipe down frequently touched surfaces daily. There are frequently couples or a 3 person (or more) in our Costco. My DH does the meat section while I get produce and eggs and dry goods. It limits our time in there, which is also important.

You're fine PP. My whole family goes shopping now too.

We are also going to the pool and traveling and getting together with friends. (So, you see, I'm the least responsible one!)

You know your family best, and can do what works for you.

It's mind boggling that people are still this dumb and uninformed, months into this. No, you don't get to "do what works for you." If you don't get by now that we are all going to sink or swim together -- and we are clearly sinking because of this stupid attitude right here -- then there's no hope for any of us.

We are no longer welcome in the EU. We are in last place in battling this virus. We are dumb as fu<k in this country.>

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a 6 year old, a 4 year old, and a 2 month old. We are only doing outside play dates with masks on with one family. Kids have been trained not to touch each other and keep masks on. We also do playgrounds if the playground is empty (will go to a field if not. I have 3 friends who come by once month in my driveway outside and we stay more than six feet apart and wear masks. Otherwise the kids and us are totally and completely social distancing. Husband goes to grocery store once every two weeks. At this point we’ve been doing this for close to 5 months. I feel bad but I don’t want to contribute to the spread, nor do I want to die alone in a hospital. Or even be alone in a hospital for a week.

Your kids lives are over. Please go tell them this is their existence for the next 18 months, and see how they react.

What?? They are pretty happy! You’re a crazy person. Go back into your hole!

Five months being a prison of your anxiety? Sounds great.

Yes, the pandemic has just been all a bad dream. There there, Dorothy.

Smart people know it takes isolation and mask wearing and hand washing to beat this virus. Unfortunately we don't have very many smart people, even in this well educated area of the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In our household we have 2 at risk people: my DH (autoimmune and HTN) and my MIL (literally everything). We have my parents his and brothers over to our house. I go grocery shopping once a week but we go every other week together to Costco. My son will wear a mask the entire time he is in the store, if he wouldnt keep it on we wouldnt take him.

Ive been avoiding parks and indoor playgrounds but no more. We have an only child and we are both working from home FT. When my DH has all day training it is really hard so I just take the FCRA leave and this week weve been to two playgrounds. Only kid at the first one and only 4 at the second one. Daily outside walks twice a day, we play outside in our yard but he doesnt get the same stimulation that daycare provides him because we are both working. Im seriously considering sending him back to his in-home daycare for 2 days a week.

It would be better if my DH's job acted like one: not everyone has a SAHM wife or two: that children are at home. These all day training days (8-530) screw our whole schedule up since there is no flexibility and his job has suggested that they will send him to a training in Denver in September

Well. You win the award for the least responsible.

Why would everyone in your family go to Costco? I live in the Midwest where people aren’t nearly as nervous about Covid, and I never see people shopping in groups.

Thanks so much for your snarky comment. BC its not busy and everyone is wearing a mask. Its a large, well-ventilated space where we can maintain 6 feet, the same cannot be said for other grocery stores. Its just my DH, myself and our son. My MIL doesnt go anyhwere.

We use hand sanitizer when we leave and wash our hands when we get home. We wear masks. We dont touch anything but what we buy, which is already going into our house anyways and we do not wipe down groceries nor leave them outside. My son walks or if in the cart, it is wiped down with wipes. I use bleach to wipe down frequently touched surfaces daily. There are frequently couples or a 3 person (or more) in our Costco. My DH does the meat section while I get produce and eggs and dry goods. It limits our time in there, which is also important.

You're fine PP. My whole family goes shopping now too.

We are also going to the pool and traveling and getting together with friends. (So, you see, I'm the least responsible one!)

You know your family best, and can do what works for you.

It's mind boggling that people are still this dumb and uninformed, months into this. No, you don't get to "do what works for you." If you don't get by now that we are all going to sink or swim together -- and we are clearly sinking because of this stupid attitude right here -- then there's no hope for any of us.

We are no longer welcome in the EU. We are in last place in battling this virus. We are dumb as fu<k in this country.>

ACTUALLY we are in this mess because of large group gatherings without masks. Seriously... as long as they are wearing masks and practice proper hygiene with limited exposure time indoors in large groups or smalls groups where there is yelling, heavy breathing, loud talking (restaurants, gyms, concerts, bars, etc).
https://wamu.org/story/20/07/01/map-tracking-the-spread-of-the-coronavirus-in-the-u-s/ The southeast and southwest states either didnt implement full SAH orders or completely went from 0 to 100 when they lifted the restrictions. Its about common sense not complete annihilation of social interaction.

"Public health experts are familiar with the phenomenon she is describing: caution fatigue" https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/06/covid-cases-florida-rise.html

There needs to be some semblance of the pre-COVID routine to avoid caution fatigue. Our problem is not that 3 people go shopping as a family. Its that people are literally swarming beaches, bars, and gyms without masks on. This is happening in Rehoboth, parts of coastal NC, etc. Masks work. Hand washing works. Should people be having weddings and large gatherings- no. Pools are limited in capacity and outdoors. Im not sure I agree with the traveling part or getting together with multiple groups of friends but even during the SAH orders there was movement and people working. Life can not completely stop, we have to find new ways to continue and those measures should include limited interaction with people in closed in spaces or in densely populated areas and wearing masks/washing hands.