I'm the OP. I called the school (it's a religious school and my son doesn't go to the school but is involved with the youth group). Now they are telling me it will be capped at 90 kids. presumably to comply with the under 100 rule for NJ. 90 kids doesn't make me feel much better than 150. Especially since they specifically are saying "NO masks", as if it is a badge of honor.

I'm very lucky that my son is quite understanding and respectful of our decision. He's just extremely disappointed as he has finally made some nice friends and wanted to do this very badly. I'm proud of him for the way he has handled everything, and I told him so. He is sad and disappointed but completely understands.

We are by no means totally isolating, and we go to the beach with friends, swim in our pool with a friend or two, etc, because we can't justify those things being much of a risk the way we do them. So we are lightening up, but there is no way this party is a good idea.

I just found out today that our good friends (who are allowing their child to go to this formal) are flying to Minnesota next week to visit friends. They have been trying to push it down our throats that this is no more dangerous than the flu and the media is just blowing this out of proportion. Now I'm going to have to deal with my kids not seeing their kids for 2 weeks when they get back. I'm sick of their attitude frankly. We were allowing outside playdates, etc, but I'm not allowing that either if they are flying and visiting out of state too.

I really really appreciate the validation here, as I'm just so damn sick of the emotional component of wanting to be cautious (while not being ridiculous), and the backlash everywhere I turn. It makes a hard situation so much harder.

Buffet?!?! Crazy!

OP, think about what else the people who are willing to attend this party have probably been doing lately. If they aren't concerned about a large indoor gathering without masks, they probably think this is no big deal and are socializing with lots of different groups of people, going to eat in restaurants, etc. Do you want your kid to be in a room full of those people? The virus appears to spread very easily among people in your son's age group, more so than younger children. Show him articles about doctors saying they are seeing young adults getting very sick, if that's what it takes to get him to not feel bad about missing it. It doesn't matter how many people your kid knows who have had it with no symptoms. Absolutely no one can say with any certainty that they won't be the unlucky person who gets a bad case. And how would your son feel if he infected one of you? Ask him whether that risk is worth attending this party. Ask him to think about these very real scenarios. I know it's tough because kids that age think they are invincible.

Maybe it’s because I’m in LA and things are crazy here, but no way would I allow that!!! I can’t believe that’s even legal. We aren’t allowed to gather with people outside our household but obviously people do... since we are breaking records daily!!

Insanity! What is wrong with people!!!

We are holdouts, too.

Thankfully, the child is not into getting sick so is as okay with not going as one can be when things suck.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Already worrying about this because DD’s high school graduation is scheduled for August. How do you tell a kid they can’t go to their high school graduation? (Of course I have a backbone and I will!)

Is it inside? Outside?

I wouldn't do this party OP is talking about. But I would find a safe way to have my child attend their own graduation.

Any decent parent would.

Its outside but there are 400+ kids in the grade, in a stadium. And kids all taking selfies afterwards. Huge crowds trying to enter the narrow gates to the stadium. I think it will be cancelled anyway.

Schools in our area did this. It was very controlled and a ton of socially distancing.

My son is a senior and his graduation is in august. It it is outside we will be there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Already worrying about this because DD’s high school graduation is scheduled for August. How do you tell a kid they can’t go to their high school graduation? (Of course I have a backbone and I will!)

Is it inside? Outside?

I wouldn't do this party OP is talking about. But I would find a safe way to have my child attend their own graduation.

Any decent parent would.

Its outside but there are 400+ kids in the grade, in a stadium. And kids all taking selfies afterwards. Huge crowds trying to enter the narrow gates to the stadium. I think it will be cancelled anyway.

Schools in our area did this. It was very controlled and a ton of socially distancing.

My son is a senior and his graduation is in august. It it is outside we will be there.

I’m pp. Yeah I’ll let my kid go. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared.