Am I too strict about playground kid mask rule?

[Anonymous]

Just do what we do: we have a rule that DD can’t play with kids who don’t have masks on. She knows this and only plays with kids with masks at the playground, which is 95 percent of kids. She also knows to remind kids to put their mask up if it slips down past their nose. If a kid without a mask tries to play with her and she forgets, I just call her over and remind her of the rule and she finds other kids to play with. A few times she said to the other kid, I’m sorry, I can’t play with kids who don’t have a mask on. It makes the other kids sad but that’s not my problem - if your kid can’t follow public health guidance for whatever reason that’s on you as their parent. Kids can be empowered to keep themselves and others safe instead of adults policing them. This gives them agency at a time when they have little. Outdoor transmission risk is low but until the mask guidance for kids is removed I’m making sure we are following it and our DD knows how to keep herself safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't wrap my head around the concept that the best choice for a child's overall health and wellbeing is to NOT go to an OUTDOORS playground b/c there are some kids without masks (chance of catching covid: statistically infinitely small) and instead not playing or exercising and going indoors to then eat a donut alone.

Why are you assuming they eat a donut indoors (DD has drive-thru) or that this is the only chance for playing and exercising?

I wouldn't worry about it, OP, but it's fine that you are and I don't think you are doing any kind of damage to your kid at all. Kids often have to do things they don't want due to safety (did anyone worry about traumatizing kids who didn't like car seats?) and besides, things will be very different in the summer. There will be plenty of time for playing in play grounds.

[Anonymous]

I went for a 30 min walk unmasked with my best friend in the Fall. We even hugged goodbye. She tested positive (asymptomatic) the next day. I didn't get covid.

Before I get flamed I immediately realized we had forgotten masks. She was in the throws of severe PPD and felt she was a danger to herself so I rushed over and we walked in the sunshine and made a safety plan. In my tizzy I completely forgot we were in a pandemic. I know it was a dumb mistake. I completely my 2 week quarantine and tested negative on days 5 and 7.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it's too strict; it's irrational, not based in science.

The playground is outdoors, and your child is masked. The chances of him getting COVID from an unmasked child playing at the same playground are thus infinitesimally small. And if instead of fresh air, exercise, and social interaction, your child is instead eating a donut, well then your irrational choice to leave is actually harmful to him.

[Anonymous]

Too strict. Just keep distance from anyone without a mask if it worries you. An unmasked kid 20 feet away at a playground poses no risk to your family. Also, try nature walks to places you know won’t be crowded.

[Anonymous]

Our rule is our kids wear masks if there are other kids at the playground (often there aren't). We don't care if the other kids wear it or not.

I don't wear one as it's easy to stay 6 feet from other adults and we're outdoors. Other adults seem to do the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it's too strict; it's irrational, not based in science.

The playground is outdoors, and your child is masked. The chances of him getting COVID from an unmasked child playing at the same playground are thus infinitesimally small. And if instead of fresh air, exercise, and social interaction, your child is instead eating a donut, well then your irrational choice to leave is actually harmful to him.

Agree.

Masks are required at playgrounds in Virginia.

[Anonymous]

Yes. you are too strict.

[Anonymous]

I've said so many times to kids, "Hey, where's your mask buddy?" and sure enough the kids pull it out of their pocket and put it on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think being masked outside even if other kids are not is probably a lot safer than grabbing a donut from Dunkin’ donuts

Grabbing?

No need to be rude - purchasing, buying, whatever you prefer to say but certainly you can understand the point? It’s not possible to socially distance when purchasing a donut at Dunkin’ Donuts and I assume she’s not leaving a 5 year old in the car, so they would both be in close proximity to multiple people. That seems a lot riskier to me than outside at a playground.

[Anonymous]

I like how you think an outdoor playground with children is dangerous, but a donut is a healthy choice.

[Anonymous]

This is too strict for me (my kid always wears a mask but we encounter kids without masks all the time and it doesn't bother me unless they are getting up in my kid's face).

However, the really problem is the approach. It's too confusing and stressful for your kid, who never knows if he's going to get to play at the playground. And while I have zero problems with the donut treat, it's not a great substitute for playing at the playground. Give your kid a donut if you want to, but if the goal of the afternoon is playing outdoors, you should find a way to play outdoors.

I think you need to figure out which playgrounds near you are less crowded at what times of day and frequent those at those times. Or figure out the playgrounds that seem to have the best mask compliance.

I take my DD to a small playground that is rarely busy a lot, partly because of Covid but also partly because she just doesn't love really crowded playgrounds (nor do I) and it's easier on everyone to go somewhere that she's not going to have to compete with 20 kids for a ride on the slide. So I just started gravitating to that playground over time because we were comfortable there and kept having good experiences. Every now and again we'll go there and it will be more crowded, and this usually means we don't stay quite as long.

But I think constantly bailing on playground plans because of the crowd is too much. Kids your son's age need some routine and they are learning how trust works. They need a sense of security and to feel like they know what's coming. You're teaching him that his ability to play and be outside is entirely dependent on the choices of strangers and can change day to day. That's the kind of lesson kids in war zones learn and it has longterm negative impacts on them. Your kid doesn't live in a war zone. If you wear masks, stay outside, and choose to leave if there is behavior that concerns you, you're fine. And your kid still gets to play.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our rule is our kids wear masks if there are other kids at the playground (often there aren't). We don't care if the other kids wear it or not.

I don't wear one as it's easy to stay 6 feet from other adults and we're outdoors. Other adults seem to do the same.

This is our rule too, although I usually wear the mask in solidarity if I'm asking my kid to do so.

But i agree with other posters who say it's your approach that is faulty here. You are building up this search for the perfect playground, and it's stressing your kid out. Just do or don't do it, but don't make it a big thing for him like you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it's too strict; it's irrational, not based in science.

The playground is outdoors, and your child is masked. The chances of him getting COVID from an unmasked child playing at the same playground are thus infinitesimally small. And if instead of fresh air, exercise, and social interaction, your child is instead eating a donut, well then your irrational choice to leave is actually harmful to him.

This. It’s more irrational than “strict”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our rule is our kids wear masks if there are other kids at the playground (often there aren't). We don't care if the other kids wear it or not.

I don't wear one as it's easy to stay 6 feet from other adults and we're outdoors. Other adults seem to do the same.

This is our rule too, although I usually wear the mask in solidarity if I'm asking my kid to do so.

But i agree with other posters who say it's your approach that is faulty here. You are building up this search for the perfect playground, and it's stressing your kid out. Just do or don't do it, but don't make it a big thing for him like you are.

yes same.