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My kids have been clamoring for playdates all summer long. Facetime and video chats can only fulfill their desire for social interaction for so long. During the break, I felt more comfortable allowing them to play outside with kids I knew well—mainly their cousins and a couple of trusted friends. But now that school is back in session, I’m faced with a dilemma: the children they want to hang out with are often the same ones whose parents I see at the grocery store without masks. It’s concerning, especially since most of these kids aren’t vaccinated.
My daughters have gotten used to wearing masks whenever we leave home, so when their school mandated mask-wearing after initially saying it was optional, I felt a sense of relief. However, it quickly faded as I began to notice more and more families from school out and about, maskless. These kids are under 12, which means they are not vaccinated or even eligible to receive the vaccine. It’s frustrating to see that I seem to be in the minority among parents in my daughters’ social circle who are cautious, which is pushing me to put a firm stop to playdates.
I find myself in an uncomfortable situation. I’ve known many of these parents for years and believed we shared a commitment to keeping our kids safe, which should at least include mask-wearing. I understand that Covid has been politicized, but the science is clear: more kids are getting severely ill from the Delta variant. What will it take for parents to start taking this situation seriously?
Why Aren’t You Taking This Seriously Yet?
At school pick-up, I see two groups of parents: those who are spread out and masked, and the rest who are gathered together without any precautions. I can’t help but wonder—are they vaccinated? Are they part of the anti-vaccine movement? Are they unknowingly spreading Covid germs after working all day around others who reject scientific guidelines? There are just too many uncertainties for me to feel comfortable allowing my child to attend a playdate. Especially when I hear jokes about social distancing while the principal is outside.
One of my daughters’ friends invited her over for a playdate last summer, before the Delta variant surged in our area. I hesitated but trusted my daughter to wear her mask indoors, as she had been doing for a year and a half. However, the mom organizing the playdate later informed me that her other child had developed a fever. They wouldn’t be joining, but she assured me that it wasn’t Covid-related. I don’t think so. Whether it’s Covid or a common cold, I’m not comfortable with the risk of exposure.
She left the invitation open, saying she understood if I wanted to reschedule. But did she really? It felt more like a downplay of the situation. Maybe I’m overthinking it, but I prioritize my child’s health and safety, and I won’t risk exposure when I can prevent it.
Judge Me if You Must, But My Kids’ Health Comes First
Both of my girls are social butterflies, always eager to make new friends. As much as I want to allow them to have playdates and return to normalcy, my anxiety and fear hold me back from making that decision. To the moms I’ve had to decline offers from, please know that I think your kids are wonderful, but I don’t want any of our children to get sick or end up hospitalized. I hope you feel the same way about my family. We may have differing views on how to keep our kids safe, but I ask that you respect our family’s boundaries.
It’s nobody’s fault that we’re in this predicament. Covid is a nightmare, but it’s a reality we must navigate. Regardless of vaccination status or mask-wearing, Covid is still present. By taking precautions, we can hopefully return to a more normal state sooner, leading to more playdates and less fear and anxiety. I miss enjoying a drink with fellow moms while watching our kids play together in the backyard.
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