When Addie is sitting and playing, I look at her and a million things run through her head. She’s definitely a sheltered child in so many ways. She is being raised by her mom and dad, with both of them living in the same home. I’m not putting down parents who are not together – I went through a divorce, raised Chad as a single mom for a few years, then we had the “blended family”. I’m sure for some that term applies but sometimes this family felt about as blended as oil and water and it was not always easy.
Addie has two sets of grandparents who love her dearly and want to spend time with her. Her life is good.
Yesterday we were in the sewing room and she had the sewing chairs lined up so I couldn’t get past them and she said “What’s the magic word?” I thought of all the “magic” words I could think of and then I said “I give up! You win! What’s the magic word?” She said “It’s QUARANTINE!
That hit me like a load of bricks. A 7 year old child knows the word quarantine. That should not happen! That should not be a word in her vocabulary!
Quarantine is a word I wish we had never had to become familiar with – a word that affects us almost daily – young children all the way to the oldest among us.
We are the lucky ones. Even though I have friends who have been sick, and two friends who have lost their spouse to the virus, we haven’t been directly affected – at least yet and I am thankful for that.
Teri says
Addie sure seems older and smarter than any 7 year old I ever met! Love hearing your stories!
Elle says
I cannot imagine raising and protecting children in 2020. God Bless us one and all.
Sara Fridley says
You are so right. At Easter we made a “socially distant” visit to drop off some Easter goodies for our grandkids. Jack – who was 4 at the time – had drawn a big X on the sidewalk in front of their house for us to stand on. He told us it was because of “The Virus”. Definitely wish they could all be more innocent for longer.
Susan Nixon says
I hope she gets to go back into a normal school setting. I think everyone needs normalcy, but especially our young children, before things go on too long.
Deborah Rhodes says
My four year old great granddaughter told me we have to wear a mask because the world is sick
Emma says
Hearing my 4.5 year old ask if we can do something when the virus is gone, or ask if the virus will be done by [X time] absolutely breaks my heart. I took him to run two errands with me while my younger kiddo was napping (Tractor Supply for dog food, poison ivy spray, and a sprinkler and Aldi for a few things) and having to remind him to put his mask on as we left the car was physically painful. He’s such an exuberant and extroverted person, and to cover up that smile should be a crime.
Even though my state (NY) is having very low cases I know it’s what I need to do, but now I’m about to make him enough masks for however much school he’ll actually get to attend this year. Still waiting to find out what the district is planning for this coming year. His first year of pre-K and he’s likely going to have to wear a mask over his face like all of his other classmates. I know it will be okay and kids are resilient, but that doesn’t make it any easier for this mama to watch as his pretend play with the Duplos is a rare trip to Target to get new shoes for the baby rabbit.