Advice: Moving to DC
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AWL
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Hi,
We were supposed to move to DC next month, with 2 yo, 4.5yo and one on the way (due in August)... but are now considering delaying til the move til the fall. What is it like for parents of small kids, with parks, etc closed? And I know it's impossible to predict but any idea if summer camps will be open? School in the fall? (And how are hospitals for giving birth now / expected to be this summer?) We're in a country that hasn't been hit quite as hard and restrictions are a little looser, at least for now.. but I am anxious to get back home. Thank you!! |
Anonymous
| Shouldn’t your main concern be catching Covid rather than whether the parks are open? |
Anonymous
| Hospitals are open for giving birth. I would look to live in the suburbs vs the city so you will have more room to move around. It’s going to be very hard keeping 3 kids under 5 busy with no parks, museums, zoos, any entertainment at all. |
Anonymous
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I have 3 kids under 6 and live in DC. A backyard (even a small one like mine) is helpful during this time. The federal parklands are open so that’s where we have been taking our kids- in my neighborhood there are small pocket parks that are NPS and we have been taking our kids there.
Of course without school/daycare open it’s been hard but my older kids are in elementary school and doing distance learning. No idea when things will be back to more normal. |
Anonymous
| Not sure about DC but in the suburbs the parks reman open...though the playgrounds are closed. You can still run around with balls or bikes etc. Where are you moving from that is so different? |
Anonymous
Parks are not open in VA |
Anonymous
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Parks are open in Montgomery County (MD for OP).
And, we have a back yard, when kids were young we had a play yard with monkey bars, swings, climbing wall, etc., then soccer goals and a baseball back stop, we also have a basketball hoop in the driveway and can play bocce, corn hole and croquet, etc. in the back yard. |
Anonymous
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If you are NOT in the US right now, I think if it were me, I might stay put!
DCPS is slated to start August 31 but have hinted that they may move that date (potentially earlier, to make up for losing time this spring). I would say I'm not confident that start dates are certain. Summer camps are waiting for instruction from the city. Also as an FYI, summer camps for children before their kindergarten year tend to be pretty limited. Can't speak to hospitals, sorry. |
Anonymous
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In DC with a 2 yo and 5 yo. We live near Rock Creek Park and in a quieter area and have been outside a ton, while maintaining social distancing.
No one knows what's going to happen re: schools. |
AWL
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Thank you for all the advice and please keep it coming!
We're in Tokyo, where schools are closed but most parks are open and restrictions are somewhat less strict. We're still social distancing and hoping things don't get worse here.. Anyway, I really appreciate the insight into DC life these days, look forward to being there. |
Anonymous
| Will the 4.5 year old start kindergarten? If you are looking for Pre-K you missed the lottery deadline you would need to get a spot almost anywhere besides SE. |
Anonymous
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In Fairfax County - parks are open, but the parking lots are not. They're trying to keep the density low by only having people visit parks they can walk to. Playgrounds are closed and we don't seen anyone on them when we go for our walks/bike rides/scooter rides. Having a yard has been key for us during this time.
I personally highly doubt camps will be open and Fairfax County is already thinking through what to do about the schools in the fall if this situation continues. Their distance learning/video classes have been a disaster, but they're trying to get their act together. By the time you're here, I bet they'll have it worked out - already this week seems better. Although, I will say I'm not impressed at all with the learning for my Kindergartner. It's a little better for the 2nd grader, but still not great. Distance learning is no way comparable to being in school. We have neighbors at Catholic in similar grades and they seem to be managing better continuing learning. |
Anonymous
| Wow, I would delay just not to get on a plane. |
Anonymous
Correct. Even the parks cared for by my HOA are closed. I checked several Fairfax County parks. Signs are posted that they parks are closed. You couldn't even get in to park. |
Anonymous
| Stay where you are. Do not come here. The DC area will not peak with COVID until the end of May/early June and that's only if we behave ourselves (which honestly...that hasn't been happening). VA's stay home order is until June 10. Do not come here right now. |