Scared to hug kids

[Anonymous]

We live outside DC and are about to send our 3 year old back to her half day preschool next week. I’ve been on the fence about sending her back (don’t really need the childcare) but she misses it and is asking to go. Almost everyone we know is back and her pediatrician feels confident in our areas handling.

As I was talking to DH tonight about it it struck me that I am worried I am going to be scared to hug her. And kiss her sweet face for fear that she may have brought this home.

[Anonymous]

Troll

[Anonymous]

OP here. I promise I’m not a troll. I’m not looking for anyone to tell me it’s all going to be fine, and that I need therapy, or that I should keep her home. This feels like the biggest decision I’ve ever made and honestly I’m just terrified I’m making the wrong one

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I promise I’m not a troll. I’m not looking for anyone to tell me it’s all going to be fine, and that I need therapy, or that I should keep her home. This feels like the biggest decision I’ve ever made and honestly I’m just terrified I’m making the wrong one

If your anxiety level is really that high, you do need therapy.

[Anonymous]

rub her face down with hand sanitizer or she's resistant, as soon as she comes home, strip her and put her in a hot shower

[Anonymous]

Hi OP,
I have worked with covid patients since March. I hug and kiss and cuddle my kid every day (and husband). We have been Covid free. Have her change clothes and shower when she gets home if you want.

You may also want to get help for your anxiety.

[Anonymous]

I was worried about this too before we sent my daughter back to preschool. I still think about it sometimes when I hug her but I realized that if she brought it home, we all live in the same house and it won’t make a difference at that point.

[Anonymous]

If you don't need the childcare, please don't send her. The fears over lack of socialization are not more important than spreading Covid-19 in the community.

And please get vaccinated for the flu.

[Anonymous]

If you still feel this way in a few days, talk to a therapist who specializes in anxiety/intrusive thoughts.

As a longtime sufferer of ocd, it is so strange to see my (disordered) way of thinking so frequently expressed these days. I hope these thought patterns don’t leave scars for people the way they have for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I promise I’m not a troll. I’m not looking for anyone to tell me it’s all going to be fine, and that I need therapy, or that I should keep her home. This feels like the biggest decision I’ve ever made and honestly I’m just terrified I’m making the wrong one

What are you looking then?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
If you don't need the childcare, please don't send her. The fears over lack of socialization are not more important than spreading Covid-19 in the community.

And please get vaccinated for the flu.

This.

And have her change and take a shower when she gets home. That way you will catch a lot fewer viruses from her, besides COVID.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
If you don't need the childcare, please don't send her. The fears over lack of socialization are not more important than spreading Covid-19 in the community.

And please get vaccinated for the flu.

This.

And have her change and take a shower when she gets home. That way you will catch a lot fewer viruses from her, besides COVID.

So, you're advocating for hygiene theater?

You know COVID, just like the flu and cold viruses, are primarily spread through respiratory droplets, right? Changing clothes/showering isn't going to do much when the main threat is breathing in particles that someone else coughed/sneezed out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I promise I’m not a troll. I’m not looking for anyone to tell me it’s all going to be fine, and that I need therapy, or that I should keep her home. This feels like the biggest decision I’ve ever made and honestly I’m just terrified I’m making the wrong one

If your anxiety level is really that high, you do need therapy.

I agree with the other posters that this goes beyond a normal, rational reaction. Perhaps it's just a overreaction to changing plans, but if these feelings last more than a few days you should really get some help to work through them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
If you don't need the childcare, please don't send her. The fears over lack of socialization are not more important than spreading Covid-19 in the community.

And please get vaccinated for the flu.

This.

And have her change and take a shower when she gets home. That way you will catch a lot fewer viruses from her, besides COVID.

So, you're advocating for hygiene theater?

You know COVID, just like the flu and cold viruses, are primarily spread through respiratory droplets, right? Changing clothes/showering isn't going to do much when the main threat is breathing in particles that someone else coughed/sneezed out.

This. Who cares about the clothes? Rubbing a child's face with hand sanitizer???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was worried about this too before we sent my daughter back to preschool. I still think about it sometimes when I hug her but I realized that if she brought it home, we all live in the same house and it won’t make a difference at that point.

This. Shared air.