I honestly don’t get the concern about kids being isolated socially

[Anonymous]

My kids are extroverted and athletic. Would they like to return to school and sports? Sure. Are they doing ok with and even enjoying this time? Yes. They’re reading more — especially news about the election and about racism and about the pandemic. They’re cooking and riding their bikes and having socially-distanced hangout time with friends in the neighborhood. They’re doing crossword puzzles and watching too much TV. They’re playing basketball in the driveway. They’re fixing the fence and painting their bookcases and tie-dying masks. They’re having fun together — playing cards and board games and doing zoom trivia contests with friends. It actually reminds me of my childhood in suburban LA — kinda boring, but not overly structured, which was pretty great. We’re lucky, I know, that they’re in middle and early HS years, that there are 3 of them, and that we live in the close-in ‘burbs where we have a yard. We’re lucky that DH and I can both work from home. We’re lucky they’re learning resilience and resourcefulness. And patience and faith — this too shall pass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a little different comparing kids today to most of the parents. Most of us didn’t grow up in the age of texting, FaceTime and social media. We either talked on the phone or played outside with friends. So their social needs is more fulfilled than we need.

DP who posted about my childhood. I’m 28 and my kid is in pk. I was in middle school 14 years ago!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, you’re missing that social development is part of what younger kids get from school.

+1

Not just younger kids.

My high school student is struggling without socialization that comes from school and a normal summer. Yeah, it's a big deal. yes, OP, you are missing something.

Of course it's not ideal. It sucks. But no, not everyone is struggling. Life is not what you order it to be. If your kids can't weather this period, then they will have a hard time in the future, too. I know people don't want to hear that, but it's true. Some kids have experienced their parents losing their jobs, downsizing from houses to apartments, moving across the country where they don't know anyone, the death of a parent, death of a sibling, divorce, etc. The list goes on and on. People have to be resilient in life if they want to succeed. That's real. This pandemic is a hurdle your kids have to jump over. If they can't make this, then they may have gone on to crumble during their first year away at college, or the first time they were skipped over for a promotion or didn't get a job they wanted, or got a gruelingly hard job they couldn't quit, broke up with their first love, got a divorce, etc. So don't blame the pandemic. Life throws all kinds of crap at people. You have to handle it well.

Yes, this truly sucks. But it's not the end of the world. And if if is, then something else would likely have picked off your kids somewhere down the line, too. Be proactive. Be in charge of how you explain this to your kids. Let them be heroes for dealing with this difficult situation. Let them know they're living through a part of history. ETC!!!!

Very well put.

My children are doing fine. Perhaps it's because of what PP said: we've lived through some tough times, we're closely bonded as a family, and the kids have some perspective on this. One of my kids has special needs, too. Not all special needs kids are suffering right now.

I apologize for being harsh, but when I read complaints of that sort on DCUM, I always suspect that these posters and their kids must have had everything handed to them on a silver platter. No suffering and resilience-building whatsoever.

My kid has dealt with 5 years of multiple serious chronic illnesses - difficult to diagnose - missed out on 2 years of school. Unknown conditions had to go to different hospitals in the country to find someone to Diagnose / treat . Chronic pain that she couldn’t even sit for months but she pushed through it. She is a teen and finally this February had fully stabilized And yes this was difficult time for her to be isolated - again. Her team of specialists said it’s been particularly tough on kids who have battled diseases for years like her and then this. So yeah - she didn’t get life on a silver platter - ever. But hey, parent son DCUM can’t believe there maybe different experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Translation: I don't get how other people are different from me.

That this issue persists is one of our greatest societal failings, IMO.

This.