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

[Anonymous]

I grew up in a small town. Basically Mayberry from the Andy Griffiths show. Basically me, my brother, and a redneck bully down the street that I only ran into a few times a year and normally was friends with. I had books, three channels in TV, my bike, sports gear, fishing rods, etc. The schools were in the next town over, so I would go months without seeing other kids except at church and they were usually too little.

No one seemed to be care about play dates, keeping kids busy, exercise and all that stuff.

Maybe I am remembering everything with rose colored glasses and just grew up different form others. But tons of kids grow up like this if you don’t grow up in the suburbs and they manage just fine.

My 10 year old daughter seems to be very happy at the house readIng, writing, working on hobbies, being outside with us. Yeah, she is happier when there is a friend to play with, but she seems happy as a clam right now.

Am I missing something? I don’t mind the fact she is not dependably in BFF’s and such. She doesnt either.

[Anonymous]

I should have put this in the other Children forum. I apologize.

[Anonymous]

My kids don’t really ask to see friends either.

[Anonymous]

No, you're right, it's fine.

I mean, my almost 5 year old was crying just this morning about missing her friends but she is very extroverted and anxious so it's more of an aspect of her unique personality. I'm high-risk pregnant so I'm not comfortable with taking on those risks now or anytime in the foreseeable future. She will FaceTime with a friend a little later. She has a sibling. They'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

The difference is you had school. Your ‘months’ without seeing other kids was really just the summer, 10 weeks.

Now ‘months’ is looking more like 10+ months, which will have a significant impact on a child’s social skills. Even my people adoring dog is showing signs of social anxiety and fear of people because she’s only been with us 24/day.

Living outside a community filled with personal relationships is not how humans developed. Some people do that - hermits.

[Anonymous]

I totally agree, OP. And my kids are seeing friends, just outside, with masks on and spacing. They are having a great time doing more low key activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in a small town. Basically Mayberry from the Andy Griffiths show. Basically me, my brother, and a redneck bully down the street that I only ran into a few times a year and normally was friends with. I had books, three channels in TV, my bike, sports gear, fishing rods, etc. The schools were in the next town over, so I would go months without seeing other kids except at church and they were usually too little.

No one seemed to be care about play dates, keeping kids busy, exercise and all that stuff.

Maybe I am remembering everything with rose colored glasses and just grew up different form others. But tons of kids grow up like this if you don’t grow up in the suburbs and they manage just fine.

My 10 year old daughter seems to be very happy at the house readIng, writing, working on hobbies, being outside with us. Yeah, she is happier when there is a friend to play with, but she seems happy as a clam right now.

Am I missing something? I don’t mind the fact she is not dependably in BFF’s and such. She doesnt either.

OP, you are missing that there are people who are not you (or your daughter), in circumstances that are different from yours.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in a small town. Basically Mayberry from the Andy Griffiths show. Basically me, my brother, and a redneck bully down the street that I only ran into a few times a year and normally was friends with. I had books, three channels in TV, my bike, sports gear, fishing rods, etc. The schools were in the next town over, so I would go months without seeing other kids except at church and they were usually too little.

No one seemed to be care about play dates, keeping kids busy, exercise and all that stuff.

Maybe I am remembering everything with rose colored glasses and just grew up different form others. But tons of kids grow up like this if you don’t grow up in the suburbs and they manage just fine.

My 10 year old daughter seems to be very happy at the house readIng, writing, working on hobbies, being outside with us. Yeah, she is happier when there is a friend to play with, but she seems happy as a clam right now.

Am I missing something? I don’t mind the fact she is not dependably in BFF’s and such. She doesnt either.

OP, you are missing that there are people who are not you (or your daughter), in circumstances that are different from yours.

I was going to say she's missing a few brain cells, and the empathy gene, but your answer is nicer.

[Anonymous]

I have two kids. One is like you. The other is not. Yes, you are missing that you don’t represent everyone.

[Anonymous]

Did you not go to school, op? My 10yo ds isn’t super-social, but the loneliness from missing friends has him cracking. There have been multiple crying jags. He’s done fine in past summers not seeing people and just playing with his sister, but this has been going on since March. It’s not just the summertime. That makes a big difference.

[Anonymous]

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

+1

Not just younger kids.

[Anonymous]

I'm confused - - even if the school was in the next town, didn't you attend and see kids there? Or were you home schooled?

[Anonymous]

I agree that is really varies based on your kid. We never did a bunch of afterschool activities because he was always happy to come home and work on his art or play. I think kids who are used to that stimulation and like lots of playdates are struggling more right now. We see friends occasionally for a bike ride or playing in the sprinklers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I totally agree, OP. And my kids are seeing friends, just outside, with masks on and spacing. They are having a great time doing more low key activities.

How is that agreeing with the op? Your kids aren’t socially isolated, of course they’re not suffering. Some kids aren’t seeing their friends. They are socially isolated. It’s very difficult for them. You seem to be missing the point entirely.