Updated: April 25, 2021
Originally Published: May 21, 2020
The ongoing pandemic has been nothing short of a nightmare, particularly for parents. We’ve all witnessed the tragic loss of life, seen families torn apart by unemployment and grief, and felt the weight of fear in our households. Many parents are essential workers, forced to navigate this storm while risking their health for the greater good.
Even those who haven’t faced direct consequences from the virus are grappling with challenges. Working from home while trying to homeschool children is an almost impossible feat. Mental health—ours and our kids’—is suffering. Children are restless, irritable, and their sleep schedules are chaotic.
As parents, we naturally worry about our kids. It’s painful to witness their struggles with loneliness and disconnect from friends, family, and teachers. Sleep has been elusive, and I’m sure many of you can relate to that anxiety.
However, none of this justifies making decisions that could endanger their health or the health of others. With the gradual reopening of the country, I’ve noticed an alarming trend: parents organizing playdates and gatherings, inviting neighborhood kids over, and visiting relatives “just this once” for a holiday celebration or a casual get-together.
Yes, perhaps you believe you’re being cautious with social distancing, but let’s be real—keeping kids apart is tough, and true distance is hard to maintain during these interactions, especially when kids are involved.
Many of you rationalize these gatherings by citing your children’s need for companionship. You express concerns about their loneliness and mental health and say, “You only live once.” You argue that there are few COVID-19 cases in your area, that you know the kids your children are playing with are healthy, and that other parents should mind their own business. You claim, “Everyone needs to do what works for them.”
Here’s the truth: I’m judging you. Harshly. And I don’t feel guilty about it.
At this point, socializing beyond your immediate family poses a health risk. While it may seem less dangerous than attending a large event, mingling with others increases the chances of virus transmission. Each interaction with someone outside your household could lead to infection—for you, your children, or your community.
Let’s remind ourselves how this virus operates. It can be transmitted by asymptomatic individuals or those who haven’t yet shown symptoms. Recent CDC estimates suggest that about one-third of people infected with the virus are asymptomatic, and roughly 40% of transmissions occur before individuals feel ill.
This means that the people you interact with may appear perfectly healthy but could be carriers of the virus, potentially infecting you. The same goes for your children—they could unknowingly spread the virus to others.
Are you aware of the new inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19 that has resulted in serious health issues for children around the world? It’s called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, and it’s alarming. Some children have even died from it.
Furthermore, just because your town has reported few cases doesn’t mean the virus isn’t present. Symptoms can take 3-14 days to manifest after infection, meaning there could be asymptomatic carriers in your community right now. Why would you take that risk?
Do your concerns about your children’s unhappiness outweigh the reality that social gatherings outside your family increase the potential for virus spread—a virus that has claimed nearly 100,000 American lives since the pandemic began? This is serious.
Understand this: Your children will be okay. Their socialization is not an emergency. If you can provide food, shelter, toys, and internet access, you’re doing just fine. You can afford to wait until it’s safer to socialize outside your immediate family.
Yes, this situation is difficult, but children are incredibly resilient. Reflecting on my own childhood, I recall a time of instability after my parents separated. My single mother and I faced numerous challenges, moving frequently and relying on social assistance. I was lonely and missed my friends, but I survived—and many kids have faced far worse and come out stronger.
Our children can also endure this. We can support them through their feelings, demonstrating that they will be okay. Being bored or lonely is not an adverse circumstance, especially when they are safe and cared for.
While our kids may be feeling the weight of this situation, we can help them learn the value of sacrifice for the greater good. I would much rather my children face a few months of boredom than risk their health or the health of others. That’s the reality we must face.
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Summary:
This article emphasizes the importance of keeping children safe during the pandemic and highlights the risks of socializing outside of immediate family. It argues that while parents may feel pressure to socialize their children, the potential health risks outweigh the benefits. Instead, it encourages families to focus on resilience and support during these challenging times.