My daughters have been pleading for playdates all summer long. Sure, video calls can satisfy their social cravings to a point, but nothing beats in-person interaction. During the break, I felt more comfortable allowing them to play outside with kids we knew well—primarily their cousins and a couple of trusted friends. However, now that school is back in session, the kids they want to see are the same ones whose parents I notice walking around the grocery store without masks. What’s more concerning is that these kids are under 12, meaning they’re not vaccinated or even eligible for it.
My girls have gotten used to wearing masks whenever we step outside, so when their school mandated masks after initially stating they were optional, I felt a wave of relief. But that relief faded quickly as I continued to see families from school out and about without masks. It’s clear that I’m in the minority of parents who are taking precautions seriously, which makes me want to completely halt playdates.
I find myself in a strange position. I’ve known some of these parents for years, believing they shared my commitment to keeping our kids safe, which at the very least includes wearing masks. Yes, I understand that Covid has been politicized, and the CDC updates its guidance frequently. Still, there’s no denying that more children are falling seriously ill with the Delta variant than before. So what will it take for parents to start taking Covid seriously?
At school pick-up, I see two distinct groups of parents: those who are masked and those who are not, crowded together. It raises so many questions. Are they vaccinated? Are they part of the anti-vaccine movement? Are they unknowingly spreading Covid to their children? There are just too many uncertainties for me to feel secure letting my child go on a playdate, especially when jokes are made about maintaining distance because the principal is nearby.
One of my daughter’s friends invited her for a playdate last summer, before the Delta variant surged in our area. I hesitated, trusting my daughter to wear her mask indoors, but my concerns shifted when the friend’s mother messaged me to say her other child had a fever. They wouldn’t be joining the girls but wanted to let me know. She insisted it was nothing serious but, in this case, sharing is definitely not caring.
In her message, she left the door open for rescheduling, but did she really understand the implications? Maybe I’m overreacting, but I refuse to gamble with my child’s health.
Both of my girls are social butterflies, eager to make friends and have playdates. Yet, despite my desire to let them socialize and return to normalcy, anxiety grips me too tightly to allow it. To the moms I’ve had to decline, know that I don’t think less of you or your wonderful kids. I just want to protect our children from illness, and I hope you feel the same way. We might have differing views on how to keep our kids safe, but I ask for your respect regarding our family’s boundaries.
Covid is a challenging situation for all. Whether vaccinated or not, the virus is still lurking. Taking precautions can help us return to a more normal life sooner. I miss enjoying a drink with another mom while watching our kids leap on the trampoline together.
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Summary
This article emphasizes the anxiety parents feel about allowing their children to have playdates during the ongoing Covid pandemic. It highlights the differences in parental attitudes toward safety measures and the importance of prioritizing children’s health over social interactions. The author expresses a desire for normalcy while grappling with the realities of the current health situation.
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