Dear Kids: Here Are Our Rules for Leaving Quarantine

When this all began, I think we imagined when it ended, we’d run outside and hug our friends. That we’d hop on a plane and visit our favorite places and instantly all would be good. I think we imagined it like a storm ending, a rainbow appearing and sun shinning bright again.

Instead, we’ll be heading back out taking baby steps, day by day and week by week. Just like when this all began and we said a lot was unknown and we didn’t have all the answers, that’s how it is now. So like we had to be patient in the beginning, we have to be patient again and I know that’s hard.

To tell you that you can finally see your friends but you can’t hug them and you have to 6 feet away from them is not what I imagined but like we have said all along: be thankful we have friends to love and we’ll see them and communicate with them the best we can.

The world is reopening and here are our family rules as we slowly leave our quarantine at home: be respectful, be smart, be kind and do not be afraid.

Be Respectful

Everyone is going to head out at their own pace. This is important to understand because we have to respect how other families feel safe. We might have different rules as other families and that’s ok. Whether their rules seem “more strict” or “more fair” than ours, that’s ok. A pandemic is something none of us have experienced before so there are no official rules. All families are doing what they think is right and what they think is best for their own family.

Giving people their personal space (social distancing) and wearing our masks are another way to be be respectful. We are respecting the health of those around us and doing our part to help the world heal.

Be Smart

How many times do you think we’ve said Coronavirus over the past 4 months? It’s certainly a topic we’ve talked about a lot. We’ve talked about what’s safe, what’s not, how to wash hands well, how we can’t go in big crowds for a while, masks and many more things about this virus. It’s time to head out and when we do, remember all the things we’ve talked about.

Be Kind (like always, our #1 rule)

Always be kind is always a rule in our house but it’s especially important to remember right now. Some kids may be uncertain of the new rules and nervous to play. Some people might be feeling sad after missing school and some of their favorite activities. Some people may have lost a family member or friend to Covid-19. There are many people: kids and adults that might need an extra bit of kindness these next few months. Let’s all try and be that extra kindness.

Do not be afraid

Last, but certainly not least, please do not be afraid. These past few months we’ve grown closer as a family and stronger as a community. Let’s try and focus on that when we see all the changes. I wish I could say things will look normal when we start to head out, but they won’t. They’ll look different, people with their masks and gloves will look different, but please don’t be afraid. If there is a place I don’t think is safe to take you, I won’t take you, remember that. If I take you somewhere, it’s because I have thought long and hard and think we can enjoy it safely. All of the masks, gloves, tape on the ground to space us out, tape around the playgrounds: these are not to scare us, just to keep us healthy and to help us keep others healthy too. The world might look a little different the next year, but please do not be afraid.

Now, with your stylish new home “haircuts by mom”… let’s head on out.