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

[Anonymous]

OP, I think that you should find ways for your kids to be comfortable outdoors with their friends. Let them play in the sprinkler, give them popsicles, whatever. I despise the heat, but it's not *that* hot.

Also, we didn't "cave," we looked at the trade-offs and the available data and considered what we know about child development. The benefits of outdoor interactions for our kids FAR outweighs the very small risk of them getting sick. We're not really going anywhere else, so the chance of us spreading anything is also minimal. It won't be "safe" completely for likely a long time, and we're not preventing our kids from peer interaction for potentially years over this. You've got to look big picture and long-term.

[Anonymous]

Our kids are allowed to play with other kids only if all are wearing masks and continue social distancing. Only a few kids are willing to abide by those rules, and those are the only playdates (outdoors) allowed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have three kids: 8 yrs, 13 yrs, and 16 yrs. We have kept them all away from playdates/hanging out with friends. (They hang out and have play dates virtually.) We have kept our socializing to the grandparents and only outside with the grandparents (there are 4 still living). We have just been informed (in a very dramatic display of yelling and tears by the 13 yr old) that we are the worst parents ever, that every other kid gets to hang out with their friends, and that she is going crazy. (I actually worry that she is.) Honestly, what are you doing? I am hearing from a number of friends that they have caved. They are letting their kids have playdates/hang out in homes (it is too hot now to stay outside). Many parents seem to have given up. We feel like hold outs and as though we are torturing them. We are considering caving, but it doesn't feel right as Coronavirus numbers are increasing (although apparently not in Virginia). What are you doing? Do you think we should hold firm to socially isolating or give in and let our kids hang out with their friends indoors (they say its too hot to be outdoors and we are not members of a pool)?

I don’t understand why you call it “caving”. We aren’t under stay at home orders any more. Were you just planning on being in phase zero forever? Indefinitely?

How about until ti's safe to go out? Instead of, "it's okay if you get deathly ill because now we have hospital beds in the ICU available for you and your loved ones"?

It won't be "safe" for possible years.

Just tell your kids their lives are over now.

Us, we are socially distancing at outdoir parties, going to restaurants, hotels, pools. And have for weeks. We stay away from bars and indoor parties.

We are all fine. Kids are thrilled.

Where do you live that you've been able to do this for weeks? Florida or Texas?

Not the PP, but I live in southeast Virginia and all the things PP mentioned have been the norm here for weeks. And nobody’s kids are still holed up inside.

[Anonymous]

OP I completely agree with the need to balance your kids sanity. Mental health is very important too.

I would say they can do outdoor activities while wearing masks, social distancing and sanitizing. Riding bikes, scooters, playing tennis etc. Or just going for walks. I would tell them you expect them to follow the CDC guidelines for your area and if they are unable or unwilling to follow the guidelines the privileges will be revoked. Do a little at a time. You don't have to stop being cautious. But for all of your sanity, let your kids see their friends.

[Anonymous]

Nothing. Letting our kids play and be normal, as it is their friends are too.

[Anonymous]

Our lifeling best friends live next door and we had our kids 1 day apart. We have opened to ourdoor playdates with them. The kids are 3yo so don't even reqlly play together, still parallel play mostly and us adults stay way more than 10 ft apart. But it has been incredibly beneficial for all of our mental health.

[Anonymous]

Our teen sees friend only outdoors. We have teamed up with one neighbor who has DD same age as our youngest and we are spending time in each other's houses.

[Anonymous]

Our three are very young, seven and under, and we have still not had any play dates. But, we have taken them to our swim club where they see friends. Fortunately they play well together most of the time which has really helped. They were their grandparents a lot and do sleep overs at their house which helps all of us. If the weather is nice this weekend they will see their cousins and play outdoors. I guess we are easing back in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I think that you should find ways for your kids to be comfortable outdoors with their friends. Let them play in the sprinkler, give them popsicles, whatever. I despise the heat, but it's not *that* hot.

Also, we didn't "cave," we looked at the trade-offs and the available data and considered what we know about child development. The benefits of outdoor interactions for our kids FAR outweighs the very small risk of them getting sick. We're not really going anywhere else, so the chance of us spreading anything is also minimal. It won't be "safe" completely for likely a long time, and we're not preventing our kids from peer interaction for potentially years over this. You've got to look big picture and long-term.

We're pretty much like this poster. Small circle of friends, mostly outside. Everyone is in better shape than they were when they weren't allowed to see anyone.

[Anonymous]

Our pediatrician has seen so many issues with her patient's mental health due to isolation and anxiety and also physical health with regard to reduced exercise, fresh air and messed up sleep schedules. It is going to be a balance long term. Nothing is zero risk. Pick your battles. No crowds or indoor playdates or parties. Bike rides, walks, kicking a ball, backyard sprinkler, evening hangouts chatting in person outside, morning coffee with a friend outside... SO many good choices for tweens & teens that don't keep them isolated. The benefits are amazing and supported by our doc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have three kids: 8 yrs, 13 yrs, and 16 yrs. We have kept them all away from playdates/hanging out with friends. (They hang out and have play dates virtually.) We have kept our socializing to the grandparents and only outside with the grandparents (there are 4 still living). We have just been informed (in a very dramatic display of yelling and tears by the 13 yr old) that we are the worst parents ever, that every other kid gets to hang out with their friends, and that she is going crazy. (I actually worry that she is.) Honestly, what are you doing? I am hearing from a number of friends that they have caved. They are letting their kids have playdates/hang out in homes (it is too hot now to stay outside). Many parents seem to have given up. We feel like hold outs and as though we are torturing them. We are considering caving, but it doesn't feel right as Coronavirus numbers are increasing (although apparently not in Virginia). What are you doing? Do you think we should hold firm to socially isolating or give in and let our kids hang out with their friends indoors (they say its too hot to be outdoors and we are not members of a pool)?

I don’t understand why you call it “caving”. We aren’t under stay at home orders any more. Were you just planning on being in phase zero forever? Indefinitely?

How about until ti's safe to go out? Instead of, "it's okay if you get deathly ill because now we have hospital beds in the ICU available for you and your loved ones"?

It won't be "safe" for possible years.

Just tell your kids their lives are over now.

Us, we are socially distancing at outdoir parties, going to restaurants, hotels, pools. And have for weeks. We stay away from bars and indoor parties.

We are all fine. Kids are thrilled.

You're "all fine" until the day you're not. But that's OK. Keep persisting in your delusion that "it won't happen to meeeeeeee." Some of these families are in for very rude awakenings, and then they'll be crying about "but HOW could this HAPPEN?"

I'm the PP. I will not remotely be saying that. Just like I wouldn't scream, "How did I get in a car accident! I was only driving in a car!"

Life is full of risks. We are following the law, and staying away from crowds.

I am in a state that has crushed the curve at this point. There are very few cases where I live. The hospitals are pretty well empty of COVID patients.

[Anonymous]

Our experience...we are in an area where the curve was flattened/crushed and didn’t see very many cases. The last 7 days the figures have spiked immensely and they almost all trace back to gatherings of family and friends (theory being guard is down and more relaxed then when, for example, at the store). We will not be socializing in-person in the near future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our pediatrician has seen so many issues with her patient's mental health due to isolation and anxiety and also physical health with regard to reduced exercise, fresh air and messed up sleep schedules. It is going to be a balance long term. Nothing is zero risk. Pick your battles. No crowds or indoor playdates or parties. Bike rides, walks, kicking a ball, backyard sprinkler, evening hangouts chatting in person outside, morning coffee with a friend outside... SO many good choices for tweens & teens that don't keep them isolated. The benefits are amazing and supported by our doc.

LMAO... your pediatrician is not specialized in pandemics or epidemiology. Why not schedule with them. I totally agree outdoor time for kids is great and if your kid (and friend) can be trusted to wear a mask stay six feet away then go for it. Coffee in-person sounds like that mask will be off and not a good idea....you can do that over FaceTime or Zoom.

[Anonymous]

We are allowing the occasional water gun fight or bike ride with low risk families for our 6 year old. We would like to have real in person full contact play dates with 1 or 2 families soon. We would ask to see an accounting of all exposures for the previous 2 weeks and provide ours before we do that. We are in a cluster with the kids’ grandparents

[Anonymous]

We are being cautious. Kids are 8 and 11. It is tough since it's getting hotter, but they can hang out with friends outside, in the evening when it's cooler. Bike rides or socially distant picnics.

People can see other outside, social distanced, safely. Now when winter comes that will be a different story.