My daughters have been clamoring for playdates all summer long. Video calls and online games can only fulfill their social cravings to a certain extent. During the break, I was more open to letting them play outside with kids whose families I knew and trusted, specifically their cousins and a couple of close friends. Now that school is back in session, my concern arises from the fact that the kids they’re interested in playing with belong to families I’ve spotted at the store without masks. It’s not just the parents—my daughters’ friends are also unmasked.
My girls are accustomed to wearing masks whenever we step outside. So, when their school mandated masking after initially suggesting it was optional, I felt a sigh of relief—albeit briefly. It became increasingly clear that many of the families from school were out and about without masks, and these children are all under 12, meaning they’re unvaccinated and not even eligible yet. Can someone please explain this? It’s evident that I’m among the minority of parents in my daughters’ social circles who are taking precautions, which only intensifies my desire to halt playdates altogether.
I find myself in an uncomfortable position. I’ve known some of these parents for years, and I believed we shared a mutual commitment to keeping our kids safe, including the basic measure of wearing masks. Yes, I understand that Covid has been politicized when it should be a matter of science. I also know that the CDC updates its guidelines more frequently than my 6-year-old changes her favorite food. But there are undeniable facts: the Delta variant is making many more children seriously ill than before. What will it take for parents to start treating Covid with the seriousness it deserves?
How Are You Not Taking This Seriously Yet?
While waiting for the school pick-up, I notice two distinct groups of parents. One group is spaced out and masked, while the other is shoulder to shoulder, unmasked. Are they vaccinated? I have no clue. Are they part of the anti-vaccine movement, or do they work in environments that disregard science? Are they unknowingly spreading droplets and bringing Covid home to their children? There are too many uncertainties for me to feel comfortable allowing my child to go on a playdate, especially when jokes are made about social distancing because the principal is coming outside.
One of my daughter’s friends invited her for a playdate during the summer, before the Delta variant numbers surged in our area. I hesitated but trusted my daughter to wear her mask indoors, as she had been doing for over a year. However, my trust in her wasn’t the issue. The organizing mom later messaged me to say her other child had a fever. They wouldn’t be joining the girls but wanted to keep me in the loop. “Don’t worry, they don’t have any other symptoms.” Really? I don’t care if it’s Covid or just a cold—sharing in this scenario is definitely not caring.
She left it open-ended, saying she understood if I wanted to reschedule. But do you really comprehend? Because you attempted to downplay the situation. Perhaps it’s just me or maybe I’m reading too much into it, but honestly, I don’t care. I won’t apologize for prioritizing my child’s health and safety, and I refuse to take the chance that they could get sick when I can avoid it altogether.
Judge Me All You Want, My Child’s Health Comes First
Both my girls are naturally social and make friends with everyone. They’re always up for playdates, and as much as I want them to enjoy that, my anxiety prevents me from giving the green light. To the moms I’ve had to decline, you’re not bad people and your kids are great. But I don’t want either of our children getting sick or ending up in the hospital. I hope you feel the same way about my family. We may have differing views on keeping our kids safe, so please respect our boundaries.
It’s not the fault of our kids, yours or mine, that we’re in this situation. Covid is a nightmare, to say the least, but you get my point. Regardless of vaccination status or mask-wearing, Covid continues to exist. Making responsible choices will help us return to a more normal state faster—more playdates, less anxiety, and more real-life connections instead of virtual interactions. As adults and parents, it’s our responsibility to make wise choices. Frankly, I miss enjoying a drink with another mom in the backyard while watching our kids jump on the trampoline like little maniacs.
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Summary
My daughters are eager for playdates, but my concerns about Covid and the behavior of other parents make me hesitant. While I want them to socialize, I prioritize their health and safety over playdates. The differences in how parents approach Covid precautions are significant, and I hope for mutual respect regarding our boundaries.
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