How do you tell a child they life they knew is over?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD (6) thinks things will go back to normal soon. She obviously can't grasp the full impact of the situation yet, and thinks that one day she'll be able to see her grandparents, not a wear a mask, travel, hug friends, attend school. I've been very non-committal about the future because I don't want to negatively affect her mental health, but at some point she'll need to understand that things are different now and won't ever go back. I'm actually wondering if I'm doing her a disservice by putting it off, but I'm dreading it.

Anyway, how and when do you plan on having this conversation?

Listen - and I'm not being ironic here - you need help. Do you have a therapist you can talk to?
People freaking WILL (and some still do!) hug friends, attend school (some privates will be open as soon as this August), travel, and even ditch masks, eventually. A year from now, everything will be back to normal.
Reading some posts here, you'd think an asteroid hit the Earth and the surviving 50 humans all frequent DCUM. "Things are different now and won't ever go back". Geez.

Interesting. You've not heard the term "new normal" either? And you do realize the government never drops restrictions they institute, right?

I think you should go back to your social studies class. Seriously.

Right? I mean, I'm pretty sure at some point they lifted the rations they instituted during WWII. Or wait, do we still have to limit our use of butter? Maybe we do and I just forgot.

It was years of rationing. Don't play dumb. And we still have overreach at the airports, 19 years later.

The airport comparison is, frankly, dumb because they are VERY different cost/benefit decisions. Like, airport security is not a big inconvenience on daily life, so even if the national security response ratcheted more than was necessary, keeping those precautions in place is a pretty low-burden deal. But closing business, schools, etc. is a HIGH burden imposition. Things that are so life-altering (see also, food rationing, quarantines and mask requirements during the Spanish flu, etc.) are lifted when feasible. I mean, a lot of schools cancelled outdoor play and recess for a while during the DC sniper. Guess what? Recess came back. Just because some government restrictions have been left in place doesn't mean they always are or that this stuff is an exercise in governments wanting to overreach.

Sending your a big virtual hug.
OP sounds mega dramatic, and, frankly, not too bright.
Sorry not sorry.

[Anonymous]

This thread is insane. Things will go back to normal and this will end. Your six year old’s life is not over. Plagues come and go and always have. I suggest you read up on some history.

Man, I thought I was intense/ pessimistic. How wrong I was! You people need some deep breaths.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would you do this? A six year old has limited understanding of time. Sounds like you are expecting her to make some mature acceptance which is unfair. This is not forever; we will distance and wear masks as long as the infection continues to be community acquired. They are working on vaccines which will help. Sounds like you want to upset her, to put adult problems on her shoulders. No reason to increase any anxiety she has; you’re her mom, it’s your job to make her life better not worse.

Excuse me? I said I haven't brought this up for exactly the reasons you stated - but at some point, she'll need to know the life she knew is gone and isn't coming back.

Huh? She’s six. You think she’s never going to able to go out without a mask again. Or hug her grandparents? First of all you could perhaps do that now if quarantined before visiting them, but that point aside, things will get back to normal once there is a treatment or perhaps vaccine. You don’t need to tell her anything. Protect her mental health. Explain that the scientists are working hard to figure it out. Done for now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD (6) thinks things will go back to normal soon. She obviously can't grasp the full impact of the situation yet, and thinks that one day she'll be able to see her grandparents, not a wear a mask, travel, hug friends, attend school. I've been very non-committal about the future because I don't want to negatively affect her mental health, but at some point she'll need to understand that things are different now and won't ever go back. I'm actually wondering if I'm doing her a disservice by putting it off, but I'm dreading it.

Anyway, how and when do you plan on having this conversation?

Listen - and I'm not being ironic here - you need help. Do you have a therapist you can talk to?
People freaking WILL (and some still do!) hug friends, attend school (some privates will be open as soon as this August), travel, and even ditch masks, eventually. A year from now, everything will be back to normal.
Reading some posts here, you'd think an asteroid hit the Earth and the surviving 50 humans all frequent DCUM. "Things are different now and won't ever go back". Geez.

This. Dear God, what is with some of you people.

[Anonymous]

Don a somber black dress. Draw the curtains, and seat her in a comfortable yet simple chair made by Vermont craftsmen. Make sure some mournful background music is playing. Something classical, Russian maybe. Kneel before her, and draw her slight, smooth hand into yours. Slowly, tremulously, clasp her hand to your heart and say “my darling girl, I have some news to share.” Be prepared with smelling salts and a crisp white linen handkerchief.

I think that is how you should break the news.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don a somber black dress. Draw the curtains, and seat her in a comfortable yet simple chair made by Vermont craftsmen. Make sure some mournful background music is playing. Something classical, Russian maybe. Kneel before her, and draw her slight, smooth hand into yours. Slowly, tremulously, clasp her hand to your heart and say “my darling girl, I have some news to share.” Be prepared with smelling salts and a crisp white linen handkerchief.

I think that is how you should break the news.

I think she might need some candles...

[Anonymous]

Just tell her.
My 7 years old promptly wear mask, wash hand etc.
He loves his life. He doesn’t want to die of covid or pass it on to his love ones

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just tell her.
My 7 years old promptly wear mask, wash hand etc.
He loves his life. He doesn’t want to die of covid or pass it on to his love ones

He won't die, and people like you are why this will never end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD (6) thinks things will go back to normal soon. She obviously can't grasp the full impact of the situation yet, and thinks that one day she'll be able to see her grandparents, not a wear a mask, travel, hug friends, attend school. I've been very non-committal about the future because I don't want to negatively affect her mental health, but at some point she'll need to understand that things are different now and won't ever go back. I'm actually wondering if I'm doing her a disservice by putting it off, but I'm dreading it.

Anyway, how and when do you plan on having this conversation?

Listen - and I'm not being ironic here - you need help. Do you have a therapist you can talk to?
People freaking WILL (and some still do!) hug friends, attend school (some privates will be open as soon as this August), travel, and even ditch masks, eventually. A year from now, everything will be back to normal.
Reading some posts here, you'd think an asteroid hit the Earth and the surviving 50 humans all frequent DCUM. "Things are different now and won't ever go back". Geez.

Interesting. You've not heard the term "new normal" either? And you do realize the government never drops restrictions they institute, right?

I think you should go back to your social studies class. Seriously.

Right? I mean, I'm pretty sure at some point they lifted the rations they instituted during WWII. Or wait, do we still have to limit our use of butter? Maybe we do and I just forgot.

It was years of rationing. Don't play dumb. And we still have overreach at the airports, 19 years later.

The airport comparison is, frankly, dumb because they are VERY different cost/benefit decisions. Like, airport security is not a big inconvenience on daily life, so even if the national security response ratcheted more than was necessary, keeping those precautions in place is a pretty low-burden deal. But closing business, schools, etc. is a HIGH burden imposition. Things that are so life-altering (see also, food rationing, quarantines and mask requirements during the Spanish flu, etc.) are lifted when feasible. I mean, a lot of schools cancelled outdoor play and recess for a while during the DC sniper. Guess what? Recess came back. Just because some government restrictions have been left in place doesn't mean they always are or that this stuff is an exercise in governments wanting to overreach.

Sending your a big virtual hug.
OP sounds mega dramatic, and, frankly, not too bright.
Sorry not sorry.

Weird. You think invasive patdowns aren't a big inconvenience in daily life? Because they are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD (6) thinks things will go back to normal soon. She obviously can't grasp the full impact of the situation yet, and thinks that one day she'll be able to see her grandparents, not a wear a mask, travel, hug friends, attend school. I've been very non-committal about the future because I don't want to negatively affect her mental health, but at some point she'll need to understand that things are different now and won't ever go back. I'm actually wondering if I'm doing her a disservice by putting it off, but I'm dreading it.

Anyway, how and when do you plan on having this conversation?

Listen - and I'm not being ironic here - you need help. Do you have a therapist you can talk to?
People freaking WILL (and some still do!) hug friends, attend school (some privates will be open as soon as this August), travel, and even ditch masks, eventually. A year from now, everything will be back to normal.
Reading some posts here, you'd think an asteroid hit the Earth and the surviving 50 humans all frequent DCUM. "Things are different now and won't ever go back". Geez.

Interesting. You've not heard the term "new normal" either? And you do realize the government never drops restrictions they institute, right?

I think you should go back to your social studies class. Seriously.

Right? I mean, I'm pretty sure at some point they lifted the rations they instituted during WWII. Or wait, do we still have to limit our use of butter? Maybe we do and I just forgot.

It was years of rationing. Don't play dumb. And we still have overreach at the airports, 19 years later.

The airport comparison is, frankly, dumb because they are VERY different cost/benefit decisions. Like, airport security is not a big inconvenience on daily life, so even if the national security response ratcheted more than was necessary, keeping those precautions in place is a pretty low-burden deal. But closing business, schools, etc. is a HIGH burden imposition. Things that are so life-altering (see also, food rationing, quarantines and mask requirements during the Spanish flu, etc.) are lifted when feasible. I mean, a lot of schools cancelled outdoor play and recess for a while during the DC sniper. Guess what? Recess came back. Just because some government restrictions have been left in place doesn't mean they always are or that this stuff is an exercise in governments wanting to overreach.

Sending your a big virtual hug.
OP sounds mega dramatic, and, frankly, not too bright.
Sorry not sorry.

Weird. You think invasive patdowns aren't a big inconvenience in daily life? Because they are.

Well, let's see. I don't fly daily. And I just go into one of those machines that swirl around. Done. I think they patted down my arm once because of a bracelet.

[Anonymous]

OP you are beyond melodramatic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD (6) thinks things will go back to normal soon. She obviously can't grasp the full impact of the situation yet, and thinks that one day she'll be able to see her grandparents, not a wear a mask, travel, hug friends, attend school. I've been very non-committal about the future because I don't want to negatively affect her mental health, but at some point she'll need to understand that things are different now and won't ever go back. I'm actually wondering if I'm doing her a disservice by putting it off, but I'm dreading it.

Anyway, how and when do you plan on having this conversation?

Listen - and I'm not being ironic here - you need help. Do you have a therapist you can talk to?
People freaking WILL (and some still do!) hug friends, attend school (some privates will be open as soon as this August), travel, and even ditch masks, eventually. A year from now, everything will be back to normal.
Reading some posts here, you'd think an asteroid hit the Earth and the surviving 50 humans all frequent DCUM. "Things are different now and won't ever go back". Geez.

Interesting. You've not heard the term "new normal" either? And you do realize the government never drops restrictions they institute, right?

I think you should go back to your social studies class. Seriously.

Right? I mean, I'm pretty sure at some point they lifted the rations they instituted during WWII. Or wait, do we still have to limit our use of butter? Maybe we do and I just forgot.

It was years of rationing. Don't play dumb. And we still have overreach at the airports, 19 years later.

The airport comparison is, frankly, dumb because they are VERY different cost/benefit decisions. Like, airport security is not a big inconvenience on daily life, so even if the national security response ratcheted more than was necessary, keeping those precautions in place is a pretty low-burden deal. But closing business, schools, etc. is a HIGH burden imposition. Things that are so life-altering (see also, food rationing, quarantines and mask requirements during the Spanish flu, etc.) are lifted when feasible. I mean, a lot of schools cancelled outdoor play and recess for a while during the DC sniper. Guess what? Recess came back. Just because some government restrictions have been left in place doesn't mean they always are or that this stuff is an exercise in governments wanting to overreach.

Sending your a big virtual hug.
OP sounds mega dramatic, and, frankly, not too bright.
Sorry not sorry.

Weird. You think invasive patdowns aren't a big inconvenience in daily life? Because they are.

Well, let's see. I don't fly daily. And I just go into one of those machines that swirl around. Done. I think they patted down my arm once because of a bracelet.

Ah, a SAHM. I see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don a somber black dress. Draw the curtains, and seat her in a comfortable yet simple chair made by Vermont craftsmen. Make sure some mournful background music is playing. Something classical, Russian maybe. Kneel before her, and draw her slight, smooth hand into yours. Slowly, tremulously, clasp her hand to your heart and say “my darling girl, I have some news to share.” Be prepared with smelling salts and a crisp white linen handkerchief.

I think that is how you should break the news.

You are amazing, PP! Five stars!

[Anonymous]

I can't tell if the OP is a troll... Do people actually think this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don a somber black dress. Draw the curtains, and seat her in a comfortable yet simple chair made by Vermont craftsmen. Make sure some mournful background music is playing. Something classical, Russian maybe. Kneel before her, and draw her slight, smooth hand into yours. Slowly, tremulously, clasp her hand to your heart and say “my darling girl, I have some news to share.” Be prepared with smelling salts and a crisp white linen handkerchief.

I think that is how you should break the news.

You are amazing, PP! Five stars!

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