preschool for 4.5 year old but terrified by covid

[Anonymous]

OP, is this you?

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/985604.page

If so, I want to start by saying that it's great you were able to overcome your fear of the vaccine to get your family vaccinated! Can you revisit some of the logic you were able to use for that here? Again, you are faced with a situation where an objectively low risk activity (vaccination, pre-k for a vaccinated kid) poses significant benefits to you and your family but you're hung up on the small risk.

If you're not that poster, I will say the same thing I said to her, which is that sitting still and doing nothing isn't risk-free either. Keeping your 4.5yo home indefinitely is not a solution; they need socialization and education. At some point in a little over ten years, they'll be driving a car. At some point, you have to let a little bit of risk into your life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello everyone.

I just want everyone to know that I read an article today informing me that there was a shark attack somewhere this weekend.

As a result, myself and my entire family will no longer be taking part in any more waterborne activities for the foreseeable future.

In addition, someone was struck by lightning the day before last. So we will not be venturing outside either.

This is OP I know you are mocking me but I do live my life with much much care. I hate oceans because of all the critters and weird rashes you get after not to mention water safety. I also take precautions during lighting storms, that includes not venturing outside. And to an earlier poster, brain eating amoeba has a 100% fatality rate so I do avoid lakes as in we’ve never been to one and I don’t allow splash pads (one or two exceptions in places where I personally know the water is correctly treated).

So for something like covid that I literally have no control over and that could cause major damage (albeit small small risk of it) I don’t know how to deal. I don’t know if it’s enough to maybe keep the 4.5 year old home with a nanny and he’d be fine. Anyway, I appreciate the responses (especially some of the more helpful ones from folks that have reason to be more cautious).

You shouldn’t have had children if you’re just planning to keep them in a cave.

OP - ignore this mean person. I also took a lot of precaution until my baby could be vaccinated against Covid. It is hard to stay the course when others have seemed to stop caring or make a different risk assessment. I get it and don’t judge you one bit.

A 4 year old is not a baby. It’s selfish and cruel to have a child if you don’t want to parent normally.

[Anonymous]

OP, I used to be a lot like you. Anxious my whole life, then morphed into health anxiety and PPA after I had kids. Covid really sent me over the edge for awhile. Eventually I had a realization that I’m going to live 50ish more years or so, if I’m lucky. We will all die someday of something. It is my choice whether to waste my life cowering in fear of the inevitable and never really living, or to do what *reasonable* measures I can (like vaccines, safe sleep, and car seats) to mitigate risks for our family and then embrace life and live it. My religious faith was also helpful to me, might be something to consider if that’s a part of your life where you find meaning. There’s a Scripture along the lines of how no one can add time to their life by worrying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I used to be a lot like you. Anxious my whole life, then morphed into health anxiety and PPA after I had kids. Covid really sent me over the edge for awhile. Eventually I had a realization that I’m going to live 50ish more years or so, if I’m lucky. We will all die someday of something. It is my choice whether to waste my life cowering in fear of the inevitable and never really living, or to do what *reasonable* measures I can (like vaccines, safe sleep, and car seats) to mitigate risks for our family and then embrace life and live it. My religious faith was also helpful to me, might be something to consider if that’s a part of your life where you find meaning. There’s a Scripture along the lines of how no one can add time to their life by worrying.

NP here- i am not religious but this is lovely

[Anonymous]

I understand where you're coming from, OP. The more we learn about COVID, the more I am scared of longterm effects. That said, my child (3) is in school. For me, everything is a cost/benefit analysis. We're not going to restaurants because I don't think the risk of getting COVID there is worth it. We are doing school because it greatly, greatly benefits her and COVID isn't going away. I am not saying I'm comfortable with it, but to me school is necessary. She did get COVID from school, and I hate that, but I don't regret sending her to school and making her life as normal as possible. We also do thinks like indoor activities with masks and vacations with lots of outdoor activities because we can minimize risk and those activities are worth it to us. I understand your fear, but I do think some risks are necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, is this you?

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/985604.page

If so, I want to start by saying that it's great you were able to overcome your fear of the vaccine to get your family vaccinated! Can you revisit some of the logic you were able to use for that here? Again, you are faced with a situation where an objectively low risk activity (vaccination, pre-k for a vaccinated kid) poses significant benefits to you and your family but you're hung up on the small risk.

If you're not that poster, I will say the same thing I said to her, which is that sitting still and doing nothing isn't risk-free either. Keeping your 4.5yo home indefinitely is not a solution; they need socialization and education. At some point in a little over ten years, they'll be driving a car. At some point, you have to let a little bit of risk into your life.

OP here you’re a smarty DCUM-er I never know who writes these but yes that’s me.
I ended up getting a vaccine pregnant, then both kiddos, and now we are boosted too. Still no covid for us. Thank you for the advice I should revisit that thought process I ended up with writing out lists and talking to husband. It’s unfortunate our only “exposure” to this has been my mom and sister who are having issues, sister in particular who just last night had to call ambulance from heart irregularity, all issues post covid. But I know that’s her and her experience and I have to evaluate different factors and what’s best for family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I used to be a lot like you. Anxious my whole life, then morphed into health anxiety and PPA after I had kids. Covid really sent me over the edge for awhile. Eventually I had a realization that I’m going to live 50ish more years or so, if I’m lucky. We will all die someday of something. It is my choice whether to waste my life cowering in fear of the inevitable and never really living, or to do what *reasonable* measures I can (like vaccines, safe sleep, and car seats) to mitigate risks for our family and then embrace life and live it. My religious faith was also helpful to me, might be something to consider if that’s a part of your life where you find meaning. There’s a Scripture along the lines of how no one can add time to their life by worrying.

NP here- i am not religious but this is lovely

OP here thank you for sending this it’s very eloquent and calming.

[Anonymous]

And as an update from me, we went to orientation today and he had a wonderful time and was social and playing and excited. I wore a mask he didn’t since no one else was and the mask makes him quiet. Husband says to try the preschool before we make any decisions on nanny. I of course am wondering if he’ll wake up tomorrow w a fever but I have to suck it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And as an update from me, we went to orientation today and he had a wonderful time and was social and playing and excited. I wore a mask he didn’t since no one else was and the mask makes him quiet. Husband says to try the preschool before we make any decisions on nanny. I of course am wondering if he’ll wake up tomorrow w a fever but I have to suck it up.

Hugs OP, it's hard I know. But glad your son had a good time!

We ditched the mask (once allowed) at daycare too because it definitely affected DD's verbalization- she just didn't talk with it on and I didn't think that was healthy over time. Plus they all took them off to eat and nap anyway, it just seemed pointless.