Can you do self-insemination at home ?
It’s been a year since the pandemic reshaped our lives completely. We’ve navigated quarantines, masked up, maintained social distance, undergone testing, and for some of us, received vaccinations. This year has been marked by fear, frustration, confusion, and immense loss. Yet here we stand, a year later, adjusting to a new way of life. But how normal is this new normal? Not very. However, it’s what we must do to stay safe and hopefully thrive. It’s a strong statement, but it rings true. That’s how adults perceive it. But what about the children?
My seven-year-old son recently said something that caught my attention: “Remember when we thought this would all be better after just three weeks? We missed two St. Patrick’s Day parades. I wish adults would just do what they’re supposed to.”
It’s a valid question. Why aren’t adults following the guidelines? Why do some still wander around without masks, endangering others? Well, kiddo, it seems that some adults prioritize their own desires over the safety of others. They often believe their age grants them wisdom, but wisdom comes from lived experiences, not just years. Those who truly understand the gravity of this pandemic have faced pain and loss and carry a realistic fear of the unknown. They want to avoid becoming sick or causing illness in their loved ones, so they adhere to precautions.
His words inspired further conversation. I asked about his experience at school. “Horrible. I hate wearing masks. You have to wait hours to take them off. It’s just annoying. In the lunchroom, we have assigned spots for the whole week and can’t see our friends. We have dividers, and we just want to break them, but we can’t.” My heart ached for him.
As we continued chatting, he shared, “I know I have to wear a mask because people are getting sick. You catch it when someone sneezes, and the droplets can get into someone else’s mouth. I don’t want to get sick or make anyone sick.” I was impressed by his understanding for someone so young. “That’s why we use so much hand sanitizer at school. In case we touch our faces when we take our masks off outside or after touching the lunch tables.”
How about recess? “Well, we don’t play tag as much since we’re not supposed to touch each other. Thankfully, we don’t have to wear our masks outside. Inside recess is the worst because all we have is our box.” Before school started, each child brought a plastic box filled with activities for independent play during indoor recess. No group games, just solo activities. It’s disheartening.
When he was distance learning, he enjoyed one perk: he could attend class in a t-shirt and boxers. Now he’s back in a uniform, but he’ll tell you any day that he prefers this over being home. “I missed my friends. Chatting on Google isn’t the same. We couldn’t share jokes, and it was tough to focus when people didn’t mute their microphones.” I watched him struggle to concentrate at the kitchen table, reflecting on the many parents juggling work and children. Countless families are managing this daily, and I admire their strength.
“I’m glad people are getting vaccinated now. Maybe that will help this end sooner. I’m happy that Mom got hers, so she’s not as worried about getting sick.” I feel fortunate that our family has been vaccinated and can reunite without fear. Don’t get me wrong; I’m still wearing my mask, but I no longer worry about hugging my parents. The vaccine is a relief.
“You know what I want to do when this is all over? I just want to go to Target without panicking if I forget my mask in the car. Remember when that happened to Lucy?” The other day, my five-year-old daughter was in the store without a mask, and we strolled around as if nothing was amiss. I suddenly realized and exclaimed, “Oh no! You’re not wearing a mask.”
Her reaction? She panicked. She became distressed, crying and covering her mouth as if something terrible was about to happen. I quickly retrieved a mask from my purse and covered her face in seconds. I reassured her that she was safe and not in trouble. Her big brown eyes welled with tears as she whispered, “Thank you.” But that moment stayed with me. She’s so conditioned to protect herself from a deadly virus that she genuinely fears it. That’s a dagger to the heart.
I hate that my kids are experiencing this. It’s heartbreaking to realize that a significant memory from their childhood will be wearing masks. Yes, years. This isn’t going away anytime soon. Thankfully, things are improving every day, but masks won’t vanish overnight. I genuinely believe I’ll be sending my kids to school with masks next year. I try to make it brighter by letting them choose fun masks that reflect their personalities, but that excitement fades quickly, and the reality sinks back in. They wear masks all day while I have the luxury of being at home without one. Kids are the true heroes; they’ve handled these challenges with resilience, and I’m so proud of them.
So what can we do? Keep vaccinating, keep masking, and keep washing our hands. That’s our path back to “normal.” Whatever that may look like. As my sweet boy succinctly put it, “I just hope this never happens again. I don’t want my kids to have to go through this. It sucks.” Same here, buddy. Same here.
This article was originally published on April 21, 2021.
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Summary:
This article reflects on a mother’s honest conversation with her seven-year-old son about the ongoing pandemic. The child shares his frustrations with masks and social distancing, highlighting the emotional toll on children during this time. His insights reveal a child’s perspective on the complexities of navigating life during a global health crisis, emphasizing the importance of safety measures while also expressing a longing for normalcy. The piece serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by families and the resilience of children.