Anonymous wrote:No, I wouldn’t keep my kids at home. But do what works for you.

I’m a little surprised at all the people who will pull their kids out of school for 4 whole days just to avoid the possibility of illness!

OP doesn’t want to make her elderly loved one ill with Covid.

Anonymous wrote:Don’t keep them home but have them mask. That is my plan. Hoping the masks help reduce the chance of getting sick.

Yes masks worked extremely well at keeping Covid from spreading within the US. High mask places didn’t have nearly as much Covid as places like Florida. JUST KIDDING.

At this point if you really think the masking will accomplish anything then you’re dumb.

I don’t know. On one hand I recognize the concern and the chance that an illness could disrupt Christmas.

On the other hand I think white UMC women in particular have become crazy about illnesses and lost all perspective. If you posted this in 2018, people would have mostly thought you were crazy. First off, there’s a high chance your kids won’t even get sick. Secondly, even if your mom does get sick she will likely be okay. Even if your kids did get sick, could you reschedule your trip?

What stands out to me is that you’re speaking about the flu or Covid like it’s this extreme event. Except getting sick is part of life especially for kids. In my opinion you need some anxiety meds and a stiff drink when you visit your mom.

There are various schools of thought as to why our kids so sick this year. We do know that it has something to do with Covid. Common sense tells me that continuing to mask your kids and keep them home is just going to prolong this. Your kids have to get sick. It’s part of childhood.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I wouldn’t keep my kids at home. But do what works for you.

I’m a little surprised at all the people who will pull their kids out of school for 4 whole days just to avoid the possibility of illness!

It’s not “just avoiding the possibility of illness”. Did you read the OP’s post or just the title and then jump in to comment. It’s avoiding a scenario where kids get sick and then cannot join elderly parent who is frail and alone for the Christmas holiday.

Well I think the OP needs to decide what is most important to her then. And only she knows just how vulnerable her parent is. We had to skip a planned family get together last year as one of my kids was exposed at daycare a couple days before we were supposed to leave. We went later in the winter instead once the omicron wave passed.

I would keep them at home. We are actually in the same situation as you but we aren’t going to grandmom’s at all because we are so afraid of bringing sickness to her. We’ll be FaceTiming her for most of Christmas.

Don’t keep them home but have them mask. That is my plan. Hoping the masks help reduce the chance of getting sick.

Anonymous wrote:No, I wouldn’t keep my kids at home. But do what works for you.

I’m a little surprised at all the people who will pull their kids out of school for 4 whole days just to avoid the possibility of illness!

It’s not “just avoiding the possibility of illness”. Did you read the OP’s post or just the title and then jump in to comment. It’s avoiding a scenario where kids get sick and then cannot join elderly parent who is frail and alone for the Christmas holiday.

No, I wouldn’t keep my kids at home. But do what works for you.

I’m a little surprised at all the people who will pull their kids out of school for 4 whole days just to avoid the possibility of illness!

Anonymous wrote:Keep them home - there is nothing being taught this week. However, don’t leave your house. There are too many things floating around. No holiday celebrations, no grocery store runs. Hunker down for a week and test daily.

Depends on the school. My children at two different schools have tests and projects this week.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d be more concerned after break.

OP here. I’m less concerned about post break bc we essentially quarantine at my mom’s. It would break her heart if we don’t make it to Christmas but his year - it’s been a hard year for her and candidly, I’m not sure how many more Christmases we have left together.

I don’t like the idea of missing school. My kids are doing well but I don’t want them to miss out on content and it’s also the signal it sends - school’s important and not something we typically miss unless sick ourselves or at the doctor.

You just answered your own question. Keep them home from school so they can make memories to remember for years to come and you won't worry. Make sure Grandma's house is extra special and fun this year.

+1. You’d never forgive yourself if your mom got sick and what a burden that would be for the kids too.

Yeah and keep them home January 2 through 6 and then 9-13 and 20 through 25.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many kids and parents in our school community have Covid and/or the flu and/or RSV (yes, some have two of these at once). We are supposed to leave Friday to visit my mom who is frail and 83 - we are her only family in the US right now and will be her only company during the holidays.

I’m thinking of keeping my kids home this week - on 3rd grader and one 7th grader - to try and protect us from getting anything before Christmas that would keep us from visiting my mom.

I hesitate because I don’t want my kids, particularly the older one, with multiple days absences. Would she be missing that much real content or is this week light in instruction?

WWYD?

Smart move. MCPS isn't keeping children safe at lunch. Masks aren't worn while eating and there is nothing magical about that interaction. COVID is spreading in schools and the MCPS data, county data and wastewater data show transmission is increasing.

If MCPS had instituted CO2 monitoring (they contracted - spent the money- but didn't do it_ and improved indoor ventilation you would have ways to determine if your children's schools were at least doing their part to mitigate risk. But they aren't and so you can only do partial mitigation with masks during classes. That's a great effort, but not enough this week to keep the kids safe. By the way, it's not just your family members, it's your kids too. COVID is damaging vital organs and the long term implications for children are not yet known. What if keeping your child safe this week benefits them too?

Great post.

Plus hopefully you are driving OP? I know so many people who caught Covid on planes recently. If you must fly mask up and don’t take them off.

My kid got covid from school before christmas last year. I and DH WFH, so he was the only reason why everyone ended up with covid during winter break at home. He already got flu 2 weeks ago from school. Finger crossed this year that we are not sick at home this time.

This is what I did last year. The last week before the break often doesn't have much going on, anyway. No question on the little one. On the 7th grader, would be nice to know what the curriculum plan is.

I would not keep them home.