Now that we are supposed to stay away from each other, physically speaking, most of us are hunkering down, only going and doing the absolute musts.
Some, though, I hear – are having trouble distinguishing what this actually means.
Well, if that’s you – here’s a tip sheet.
I know, I know – Play dates are fun.
For everyone involved.
They get us moms going.
And sometimes are essential to survival.
And, your kids have never had to do this kind of thing and the idea that they can’t see their friends – because most of them actually miss school (or, wait – is that just our kids?) is beyond upsetting to them.
But scheduling play dates with their little friends defeats the purpose of social distancing.
You end up bringing people together, and particularly with kids – depending on how old they are – you know they will be exchanging germs no matter how much you will be on watch the whole time.
So, don’t do it for now – and see if you can get the cousins on the phone or their friends on FaceTime and read them all a book together.
Be creative.
And stay home, and let them stay home.
Now that we have ALL this time on our hands, what to do with it, right??
Why don’t we call the kids and have them bring the grandchildren so we can all suffer through this together?
Right.
Ehm, NO.
Particularly if you are the grandparent in this example, please don’t do this to yourself.
Protect yourself and your spouse.
The point about the social distancing piece is that you don’t want to be exposed.
And your kids as well as your grandchildren might be a carrier of the virus and not even have a faintest clue.
Again, connect with them.
Call them every day if you like.
You can play a game via FaceTime too, did you know that? All you have to do is tell that six year old sweetie of yours what move you want to make on the board.
They will take care of it for you.
Almost like you were in the same room.
Again, exposure, exposure, exposure.
And contact.
The fact is – you can go get bread, you can go get milk and eggs.
Or better yet – have those delivered to your house.
But that’s it.
If you have joined the ranks of the average American, you already have plenty of toilet paper and bottled water to last you a year.
Don’t go running to Target, just to stroll through the aisles.
Don’t go for a walk at Costco or Wallgreens or the furniture store.
There are other people there.
Other people who – remember? – you are supposed to stay away from.
Don’t go returning all the things, or buying in advance all the gifts at Patina – All that can wait.
Really.
Your friends, and your family would rather have you THERE when they are celebrating than just have the gift you bought for them AND not you present because you didn’t make it.
But our house is fine.
Nobody has been sick here.
That’s fine – In fact, that’s great!
And – the point is – Let’s keep it that way.
Don’t go calling around, and bringing half the village to your home when the recommendation is doing JUST the opposite.
You can have game nights later.
But, you say, I know they are at the house, alone, because their kids and grandchildren won’t come see them as well.
That’s because, they, too, are being smart about it and responsible too.
And they want you to stay well.
So take it as a gift.
Really.
All the things you meant to do weeks or months ago.
But you didn’t get to them.
Maybe the kids got sick then, too.
Or life just got in the way in some other way.
If you are like me, you have a mental (or ACTUAL) list of people who you have been meaning to invite for dinner. Or coffee and dessert on a Sunday afternoon. Or a totally low-key Bring your own food and drink kind of event.
I know. I am not proud of it either.
I am not saying don’t EVER do them – just don’t do them now.
This is NOT the TIME.
Unless you are willing and ready (and this is totally possible) to have a wine party, connect on FaceTime (again!) and each have their glass of wine at their own house, have their own cake and blow out their own candles.
Then you can do it.
Otherwise, refrain from it for the time being.
This is temporary. It will be short-lived – in the grand scheme of things – even though the last few days feel like an eternity has gone by.
We will come out of this, and will be able to do ALL the things one day again.
Just not now.
Give yourself a gift. And stay at home.
Accept the gift that others are offering you by protecting you through this – And staying at home.
And if it seems unbearable one of these days, call someone and pour your heart out to them. That has always been, and is now still, an option nobody is taking away from you.
And PS: And you can always write and put a card in the mail – The postal service is up and running like clockwork.
You know how REAL mail makes people’s day?
No matter who’s on the receiving end – Imagine the smile on their faces.
Heck – for extra emphasis and more fun- Make some cookies to add to the card.
And then leave it for your mailman to pick up.
That will give them something to talk about. For a LONG time. I am sure.
