Too much too soon. The most I would have offered to the grandparent would be “ We visit this park on Tuesdays and Thursdays at X time every week. Hope to see you again.” Then, leave it up to the other parent.

Give me a break about COVID. If Grandma was that concerned, she shouldn’t have brought her grandson to the playground. And she could suggest they continue to meet at the playground instead of indoor playdates. I’d chalk it up to a Grandma with poor social skills who can’t be bothered to do anything beyond the bare minimum for her grandson. Thank goodness my Mom is the opposite.

The poster who brought up existing family/social ties has a point too. Many people here have their plates completely full socially because their entire extended family lives here and they went to school here. So it’s not that they don’t like you, but they have more important obligations. As a recent transplant, I empathize. It’s hard work establishing yourself and finding others who have time for you!

Covid-related. I would not be thrilled about my child holding hands with someone they just met in the park. I’m sure your child is lovely, OP, and I get that this is an isolating time. Hopefully once it is over your child will have lots of little friends.

Hugs OP, So sorry this happened I know it must have stung. It may have been that if you’d met the mom instead of grandma the situation would have played out differently. And not saying this was the case with this grandmother, but IME as a transplant, some area natives have deep generational family ties and social contacts and aren’t always interested in expanding their circle. It was hard when we first moved here, but we’ve managed to build a great village over the years.

Regarding the rest of your post, how old is your son? Once the pandemic is over, give SOTH a try. My kids’ teams were quite diverse. You might even try sending a note on MOTH to meet other AA families. We’re definitely out there

Like everyone else, I’ve grown tired of the pandemic and I crave normalcy for my children. With this weird summer winding down, I have my moments when I sort of forget about the pandemic (because I guess I want it to be over already!), but then look look at the stats and I’m reminded that more than a thousand are dying in the states each day. It’s just exhausting and I totally get why you had such an emotional response to your son’s joy and the grandmother’s reaction. Try not to take it personally. I really don’t think rejection was her intention.

I don’t think it was just Covid. I think it was probably just not something a grandmother would set up. I do think you can find more friends for your kids but I recommend showing up at the same parks at roughly the same times several days a week. Also don’t stress too much. Wait till your kid is back in regular school and the really take the initiative to set up play dates, volunteer at school, etc. you have to do some work to make a community for yourself and your kid but it’s not insurmountable.

Also when the time comes again sign your kid up for team sports

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow OP are you kidding? We are in the middle of a deadly pandemic.This kid is clearly around his grandmother and really should not be interacting with other households because he is around an elderly person a lot.

I have two kids who have not seen their friends since March. I’m certainly not going to arrange play dates with kids we don’t know

They came to a playground where other kids are- naturally. I was forcing the relationship- they did it on their own- I observed merely. Did I stop them from holding hands? No but please believe my son got sanitizer the instant I could get it to him.I get we are in a pandemic- the idea of a play date was at the park. Of course I wasn’t inviting them over for tea and biscuits. My son has not interacted with other children since March. We frequent a playground for merge seconds - usually Stanton park - and go about our marry way when other people start to arrive. I’m allowed
To some degree have delight in seeing my kid just interact. It was healthy for him mentally. Pandemic aside. But I get it and hear you.

You should have stopped them from holding hands. You don't get what a pandemic is.

You’re an idiot and likely Already have corona virus.

No, we stay home like responsible people. Why on earth do you feel it necessary to name call?

As a parent over 50 with a kid who just left grade school, I can tell you older parents (and grandparents) have lost the ability to bullshit. We enforce our boundaries. We also have less energy to spare, and are more easy to tire in general. So the energy we have is precious, and we allocate it very deliberately.

I am guessing grandma knows her time/energy/patience limits, which is good. She is not up for play dates, which is generational. I was never a huge fan, either; I am from the generation of "just go outside and play". It's a different mindset. We're also in a pandemic, which adds another layer. Just go with the flow. It is not personal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow OP are you kidding? We are in the middle of a deadly pandemic.This kid is clearly around his grandmother and really should not be interacting with other households because he is around an elderly person a lot.

I have two kids who have not seen their friends since March. I’m certainly not going to arrange play dates with kids we don’t know

They came to a playground where other kids are- naturally. I was forcing the relationship- they did it on their own- I observed merely. Did I stop them from holding hands? No but please believe my son got sanitizer the instant I could get it to him.I get we are in a pandemic- the idea of a play date was at the park. Of course I wasn’t inviting them over for tea and biscuits. My son has not interacted with other children since March. We frequent a playground for merge seconds - usually Stanton park - and go about our marry way when other people start to arrive. I’m allowed
To some degree have delight in seeing my kid just interact. It was healthy for him mentally. Pandemic aside. But I get it and hear you.

You should have stopped them from holding hands. You don't get what a pandemic is.

You’re an idiot and likely Already have corona virus.

Hey, OP, sorry that happened. Move to Bowie with me, you’ll find lots of us to play with.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow OP are you kidding? We are in the middle of a deadly pandemic.This kid is clearly around his grandmother and really should not be interacting with other households because he is around an elderly person a lot.

I have two kids who have not seen their friends since March. I’m certainly not going to arrange play dates with kids we don’t know

They came to a playground where other kids are- naturally. I was forcing the relationship- they did it on their own- I observed merely. Did I stop them from holding hands? No but please believe my son got sanitizer the instant I could get it to him.I get we are in a pandemic- the idea of a play date was at the park. Of course I wasn’t inviting them over for tea and biscuits. My son has not interacted with other children since March. We frequent a playground for merge seconds - usually Stanton park - and go about our marry way when other people start to arrive. I’m allowed
To some degree have delight in seeing my kid just interact. It was healthy for him mentally. Pandemic aside. But I get it and hear you.

You should have stopped them from holding hands. You don't get what a pandemic is.

I don’t understand this. The grandmother is the only one at risk and she shouldn’t be taking the child to the playground if she’s concerned.

Less than 5% of covid tests are positive in DC.

The risk to a normal healthy adult and child is VERY low


I really feel like people aren’t using any common sense. It’s like the people who pass you on the sidewalk and act like they might catch it. If you got covid from walking by someone then we would have all already had covid!

You realize most people aren't testing and not all of the tests are accurate. You can take the risk with your family but we are not.

I don’t think it’s just the pandemic. It’s also that people in this city are VERY strange. What an odd interaction. I’d be bothered too. I’m sorry that happened to you. It’s weird because even if I didn’t want to hang with someone I’d at the very least smile and take their number. I’d assume this grandmother hasn’t done very well in life due to her terrible social skills. Again, I’m sorry.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow OP are you kidding? We are in the middle of a deadly pandemic.This kid is clearly around his grandmother and really should not be interacting with other households because he is around an elderly person a lot.

I have two kids who have not seen their friends since March. I’m certainly not going to arrange play dates with kids we don’t know

They came to a playground where other kids are- naturally. I was forcing the relationship- they did it on their own- I observed merely. Did I stop them from holding hands? No but please believe my son got sanitizer the instant I could get it to him.I get we are in a pandemic- the idea of a play date was at the park. Of course I wasn’t inviting them over for tea and biscuits. My son has not interacted with other children since March. We frequent a playground for merge seconds - usually Stanton park - and go about our marry way when other people start to arrive. I’m allowed
To some degree have delight in seeing my kid just interact. It was healthy for him mentally. Pandemic aside. But I get it and hear you.

You should have stopped them from holding hands. You don't get what a pandemic is.

I don’t understand this. The grandmother is the only one at risk and she shouldn’t be taking the child to the playground if she’s concerned.

Less than 5% of covid tests are positive in DC.

The risk to a normal healthy adult and child is VERY low


I really feel like people aren’t using any common sense. It’s like the people who pass you on the sidewalk and act like they might catch it. If you got covid from walking by someone then we would have all already had covid!

The RFK playground is also a pretty diverse crowd.

Sorry that happened OP. If you want a park close to the Hill with more Black kids, try the Pirate Park right on the other side of the Penn Ave bridge on the Anacostia River Walk. You can walk down there from the bridge.