Return To Work

[Anonymous]

It looks like I will be retuning to the office full time starting in May or June. I was hoping to go back onsite after Labor Day when my DD is back in school rather then trying to figure this all out over the summer. The idea of send her to camp all day with a mask on from 8:00AM-6:00PM sounds barbaric and I'm not a fan of having a nanny or teenager in my house all day. We used camp for child care doing the summers pre-covid. Do I just need to step up and go back onsite and keep my mouth shut? How are other people handling this with their employers?

[Anonymous]

What industry? I think most are being understanding at least until school ends, since basically no publics in this area are back full-time. Not sure yet how summer will shake out... but I think camp will probably be ok, especially outside. My kids did it last summer and were fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What industry? I think most are being understanding at least until school ends, since basically no publics in this area are back full-time. Not sure yet how summer will shake out... but I think camp will probably be ok, especially outside. My kids did it last summer and were fine.

OP here- how were rainy days handled?

[Anonymous]

OP What do you want exactly? You don't like any of the options. My college student was a nanny for a small "pod" . The kids loved her, the parents, and what's wrong with someone in your house?
Not much left unless leaving the kid alone is an option. (and camp would be fine, I work in private school. The kids are beyond happy playing and being together all year despite some changes in rules and the masks...they take the masks in stride amazingly). Get a grip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It looks like I will be retuning to the office full time starting in May or June. I was hoping to go back onsite after Labor Day when my DD is back in school rather then trying to figure this all out over the summer. The idea of send her to camp all day with a mask on from 8:00AM-6:00PM sounds barbaric and I'm not a fan of having a nanny or teenager in my house all day. We used camp for child care doing the summers pre-covid. Do I just need to step up and go back onsite and keep my mouth shut? How are other people handling this with their employers?

You know she will have to go to school/aftercare and wear a mask all day too, right? That’s the best case scenario for fall. Not sure what you want here, except to keep DD home forever, which your employer doesn’t seem on board with.

[Anonymous]

Can you quit your job?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP What do you want exactly? You don't like any of the options. My college student was a nanny for a small "pod" . The kids loved her, the parents, and what's wrong with someone in your house?
Not much left unless leaving the kid alone is an option. (and camp would be fine, I work in private school. The kids are beyond happy playing and being together all year despite some changes in rules and the masks...they take the masks in stride amazingly). Get a grip.

OP here- telling me to get a grip is a bit harsh. And does your working in a private school someone qualify you more than someone who works in say, a public school? I asked for guidance on how others are managing things with their kids over the summer, like camp days in the rain. That is a legit question. Some employers are creating modified schedules or allowing folks who can telework to continue to telework so the transition is a bit more manageable. Was your college student vaccinated when she was a nanny? Did she socialize and run around with college friends when she wasn't babysitting or did she limit her interaction to protect the health of the children she was watching? In the past week I have heard of a nanny testing positive and not telling the employer until 3 days later and there are 3 current cases of children in our school. So yes, I'm not quite at the point of being comfortable with someone being in my house. And I don't agree with your comment about kids taking the masks in stride. I just picked my child up from school and half of the kids I saw had their mask either around their neck or their nose was poking out. I am uncomfortable with sending my child to camp where this will certainly be the behavior. You mentioned working in a school environment. Tell us, are you locked in the basement of that school? It seems to be that what you think happens and what actually happens aren't the same things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It looks like I will be retuning to the office full time starting in May or June. I was hoping to go back onsite after Labor Day when my DD is back in school rather then trying to figure this all out over the summer. The idea of send her to camp all day with a mask on from 8:00AM-6:00PM sounds barbaric and I'm not a fan of having a nanny or teenager in my house all day. We used camp for child care doing the summers pre-covid. Do I just need to step up and go back onsite and keep my mouth shut? How are other people handling this with their employers?

You know she will have to go to school/aftercare and wear a mask all day too, right? That’s the best case scenario for fall. Not sure what you want here, except to keep DD home forever, which your employer doesn’t seem on board with.

Thanks. Just was hoping to see if anyone has had any latitude to buy a little more time to figure things out. Masks at school and aftercare seem fine but outdoors in July and August would be a bit much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP What do you want exactly? You don't like any of the options. My college student was a nanny for a small "pod" . The kids loved her, the parents, and what's wrong with someone in your house?
Not much left unless leaving the kid alone is an option. (and camp would be fine, I work in private school. The kids are beyond happy playing and being together all year despite some changes in rules and the masks...they take the masks in stride amazingly). Get a grip.

OP here- telling me to get a grip is a bit harsh. And does your working in a private school someone qualify you more than someone who works in say, a public school? I asked for guidance on how others are managing things with their kids over the summer, like camp days in the rain. That is a legit question. Some employers are creating modified schedules or allowing folks who can telework to continue to telework so the transition is a bit more manageable. Was your college student vaccinated when she was a nanny? Did she socialize and run around with college friends when she wasn't babysitting or did she limit her interaction to protect the health of the children she was watching? In the past week I have heard of a nanny testing positive and not telling the employer until 3 days later and there are 3 current cases of children in our school. So yes, I'm not quite at the point of being comfortable with someone being in my house. And I don't agree with your comment about kids taking the masks in stride. I just picked my child up from school and half of the kids I saw had their mask either around their neck or their nose was poking out. I am uncomfortable with sending my child to camp where this will certainly be the behavior. You mentioned working in a school environment. Tell us, are you locked in the basement of that school? It seems to be that what you think happens and what actually happens aren't the same things.

No she was not vaccinated, she is now. She is in oollege and two families went in together with their 2-5 year olds (neighbors). They alternated homes, she took them to the park, and now she goes to watch them all the time. They had a fantastic summer . They found my daughter from the list serve in the neighborhood.
I have been in school 3-14 yrs--private all year since late August. Some here and some at home online. I teach both and we get outside when weather permits. Now after The Spring break almost all are back except a few. We had one case of a possible exposure in a three year old prek and they all stayed home for two weeks. We stay in our "homerooms" and play outside in homerooms . The hallways are closely monitored for bath room breaks only. We have doors that go to the outside playground and the classes rotate on which they will play each day. We use hand santizer at transitional times and YES WEAR MASKS ALL day except for when we eat. (In classroom, not lunch room). The kids are healthy and happy. They all have cute masks they rotate with designs etc. and have no problem, really. I have more of the problem myself as an adult but i am vaccinated and wear my mask. Kids are resilient and need to be out with others. If there is a rash of kid infection or spread I am sure the govt would close us immediately, but we monitor temperatures each morning and screen the parent dropping off. You don't hear of the relgious (Jewish, cAtholic) school successes because the unions and media don't want it. I think many have been scared to death by the news but look at the stats and talk to your pediatricitan for the best for your family. Good luck!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP What do you want exactly? You don't like any of the options. My college student was a nanny for a small "pod" . The kids loved her, the parents, and what's wrong with someone in your house?
Not much left unless leaving the kid alone is an option. (and camp would be fine, I work in private school. The kids are beyond happy playing and being together all year despite some changes in rules and the masks...they take the masks in stride amazingly). Get a grip.

OP here- telling me to get a grip is a bit harsh. And does your working in a private school someone qualify you more than someone who works in say, a public school? I asked for guidance on how others are managing things with their kids over the summer, like camp days in the rain. That is a legit question. Some employers are creating modified schedules or allowing folks who can telework to continue to telework so the transition is a bit more manageable. Was your college student vaccinated when she was a nanny? Did she socialize and run around with college friends when she wasn't babysitting or did she limit her interaction to protect the health of the children she was watching? In the past week I have heard of a nanny testing positive and not telling the employer until 3 days later and there are 3 current cases of children in our school. So yes, I'm not quite at the point of being comfortable with someone being in my house. And I don't agree with your comment about kids taking the masks in stride. I just picked my child up from school and half of the kids I saw had their mask either around their neck or their nose was poking out. I am uncomfortable with sending my child to camp where this will certainly be the behavior. You mentioned working in a school environment. Tell us, are you locked in the basement of that school? It seems to be that what you think happens and what actually happens aren't the same things.

No she was not vaccinated, she is now. She is in oollege and two families went in together with their 2-5 year olds (neighbors). They alternated homes, she took them to the park, and now she goes to watch them all the time. They had a fantastic summer . They found my daughter from the list serve in the neighborhood.
I have been in school 3-14 yrs--private all year since late August. Some here and some at home online. I teach both and we get outside when weather permits. Now after The Spring break almost all are back except a few. We had one case of a possible exposure in a three year old prek and they all stayed home for two weeks. We stay in our "homerooms" and play outside in homerooms . The hallways are closely monitored for bath room breaks only. We have doors that go to the outside playground and the classes rotate on which they will play each day. We use hand santizer at transitional times and YES WEAR MASKS ALL day except for when we eat. (In classroom, not lunch room). The kids are healthy and happy. They all have cute masks they rotate with designs etc. and have no problem, really. I have more of the problem myself as an adult but i am vaccinated and wear my mask. Kids are resilient and need to be out with others. If there is a rash of kid infection or spread I am sure the govt would close us immediately, but we monitor temperatures each morning and screen the parent dropping off. You don't hear of the relgious (Jewish, cAtholic) school successes because the unions and media don't want it. I think many have been scared to death by the news but look at the stats and talk to your pediatricitan for the best for your family. Good luck!!!

That does sound like an enjoyable summer and what a terrific set up your school has. You are fortunate. Reaching out to our pediatrician is a great idea. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

OP - my kids are in daycare all day. I’m not entirely comfortable with it. Basically, my choices were either quit my job or just learn to accept the risk. I get that the risk of kids dying from Covid is very, very low. But my anxiety is high and I wish they didn’t have to go. It is what it is.

My point is, work now on getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. All of the options you mentioned have some risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It looks like I will be retuning to the office full time starting in May or June. I was hoping to go back onsite after Labor Day when my DD is back in school rather then trying to figure this all out over the summer. The idea of send her to camp all day with a mask on from 8:00AM-6:00PM sounds barbaric and I'm not a fan of having a nanny or teenager in my house all day. We used camp for child care doing the summers pre-covid. Do I just need to step up and go back onsite and keep my mouth shut? How are other people handling this with their employers?

You know she will have to go to school/aftercare and wear a mask all day too, right? That’s the best case scenario for fall. Not sure what you want here, except to keep DD home forever, which your employer doesn’t seem on board with.

Thanks. Just was hoping to see if anyone has had any latitude to buy a little more time to figure things out. Masks at school and aftercare seem fine but outdoors in July and August would be a bit much.

But I still don’t see what will be different in fall, and you will need to explain that to your employer. Figure out why fall seems safer somehow and then just ask your company if you think that’s a safe question for your professional standing.

[Anonymous]

What alternatives really you looking for? Three and only three exist: daycare, nanny or become a stay-at-home parent.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Both of my kids have been in school since September, so I have become comfortable with sending them in masked all day. The schools conduct regular testing and there is an agreement with the families about quarantining or specific after travel or if a child has symptoms. Camp is an entirely different set up that school. With camp, you have a different set of kids each week and people are generally exposed to more with summer travel. While I am fine with masks all day at school, wearing a mask outside all day in July or August is a different ask. Camps will just bring more exposure to my kids. While kids are less likely to get COVID, not only can they still get it, but they can be carriers. With work, some friends have shared that their employers have set the expectation that they will be going back 5 days a week after Labor Day. This allows families to manage their summers with a plan that they are each comfortable with and time to understand where we are with her immunity. It looks like my employer will be asking us to go back in May or June. My questions is if people in professional roles with young children are getting special exceptions for more telecommuting flexibility over the summer to figure this all out. According to my family physician, they are seeing an increase in severe pediatric COVID cases. While we have partial herd immunity, we aren't there yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Both of my kids have been in school since September, so I have become comfortable with sending them in masked all day. The schools conduct regular testing and there is an agreement with the families about quarantining or specific after travel or if a child has symptoms. Camp is an entirely different set up that school. With camp, you have a different set of kids each week and people are generally exposed to more with summer travel. While I am fine with masks all day at school, wearing a mask outside all day in July or August is a different ask. Camps will just bring more exposure to my kids. While kids are less likely to get COVID, not only can they still get it, but they can be carriers. With work, some friends have shared that their employers have set the expectation that they will be going back 5 days a week after Labor Day. This allows families to manage their summers with a plan that they are each comfortable with and time to understand where we are with her immunity. It looks like my employer will be asking us to go back in May or June. My questions is if people in professional roles with young children are getting special exceptions for more telecommuting flexibility over the summer to figure this all out. According to my family physician, they are seeing an increase in severe pediatric COVID cases. While we have partial herd immunity, we aren't there yet.

Look, I get it OP, but all you can do is ask your boss/HR and see what they say. If you’re not comfortable with camp you could get a babysitter like others have suggested. My work hasn’t announced a return to work but we’d be comfortable with either a babysitter or camp option.