Am I nuts for sending my 4.5 year old to camp?

[Anonymous]

Our camp is opening and we’re over joyed. We’re generaly low risk (both parents mid-30s with no underlying health conditions). We’ve pretty much accepted that we’ll get it at some point if we haven’t already. We mentioned this to my sister (who is in our quarantine circle) and she looked at me like we’re nuts to even put her in camp. She needs friends. She needs someone to play with other than us. So how crazy are we?

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

We our sending our 4 year old to playground camp... all outdoors She needs it desperately

[Anonymous]

Not at all! Our incoming kindergartner (turning 5 in August) started camp last week and is having a blast. Not worried at all.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s fine but be prepared for your sister not to want to be in your circle anymore. Everyone’s risk tolerance is different. As soon as playgrounds open we will probably let our 3.5 year old go and I’m sure people will think we are bonkers.

[Anonymous]

Is your sister talking now about removing your family from her family's "quarantine circle" because of camp and that's why you want backup from strangers to support your already-made-up minds? I can't think of any other reason why you'd ask this question here, since you sound so firmly determined to do what you already planned.

I'd be on team sister if that's the case. You and your spouse may be healthy for now and your child too, but your child basically will be encountering not just other kids but every adult and sibling those other kids have at home, and their parents' coworkers and friends, and all the adult staff and their contacts at home, etc. That's just how a virus works--your child isn't just exposed to the 10 kids in a camp group; she's exposed to what those kids bring with them from their families and other friends too, by proxy. But maybe you believe the idea that kids can't give this virus to adults and kids only get mild cases....

[Anonymous]

I think you are fine.

[Anonymous]

Op here — we’re fine with sister removing us from her circle. She just made me feel like I’m a bad mom for even considering this. The risk is so low for kids (the mystery complications not withstanding but no more frequent than RSV) and for us it seems like a no brained for her mental health.

[Anonymous]

Not at all. If sister isn’t comfy, fine. But I agree that it is a no-brainer.

[Anonymous]

She doesn't need friends. Spend more time with her. I would not send her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We our sending our 4 year old to playground camp... all outdoors She needs it desperately

Then take you kid outdoors.

[Anonymous]

OP if you’re OK taking on the COVID-19 risk from your kids camp mates go for it. It’s like having unprotected sex, you’re now exposed to that person’s partners. Your sister wanted to preserve her bubble, and I dont blame her.

[Anonymous]

We sent ours back today too!
It was glorious for us all!
Dh and I both actually got work done.
Our child had a blast and can’t wait to go back tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We our sending our 4 year old to playground camp... all outdoors She needs it desperately

Then take you kid outdoors.

We do... for several hours every day. But as of right now she is an only child And she misses her friends and the social/emotional learning from preschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We our sending our 4 year old to playground camp... all outdoors She needs it desperately

Then take you kid outdoors.

We do... for several hours every day. But as of right now she is an only child And she misses her friends and the social/emotional learning from preschool.

Then you provide it. We have an only who is fine but we make sure to meet all needs. You don't sound like you want to do it so its not about what she needs but about your needs. Thats fine but say so. You don't want to be bothered.