The current pandemic has reshaped the world and the summer quite bit. Last week DD told me that she hated the corona virus, and that so many things are closed. And I feel for her, what are your kids sad about missing this summer? What are you sad about missing this summer?
I am bummed that DH and I had to cancel our kid-free trip to Punta Cana for our 10 year anniversary. DD is bummed that she didn't get to see her friends from daycare before leaving, because the school year has now ended. DS is sad about his robotics camp being made virtual. I am sad because summer in the midwest is one of our nice times of year, and it is so different this year. And these are all minor things compared to the pandemic, but I am sure that other folks are disappointed about things are well. And both kids are bummed that the playgrounds are still closed here, and don't look like they will open anytime soon. They have bright signs and caution tape closing them off.
We are sad that summer camp is cancelled. It is 3 days a week of swimming at their onsite pool. We are also sad that sleepaway camp is cancelled. We cancelled it though rather than the camp because they were not doing any kind of testing or quarantining. If they would have kids tested a week before and then again at the camp like a poster had said on this board, maybe then we might have considered it, but ultimately a bunch of kids in a cabin is a no go.
Also that playgrounds are still closed. That our movie theaters may just totally go out of business, and that we had to say no to a gigantic pool party this weekend.
DD1 is really sad that she isn’t going to sleepaway camp. She was going for 4 weeks this year. Our house is so chaotic that it would have been an awesome break for all of us.
DD2 and I have been planning a day in the city, including a trip to the aquarium, since the fall. I don’t know if that will be possible this summer.
DD1 and DD2 both really enjoy a small amusement park near us. It’s nice because it’s totally manageable, never super crowded, and has rides for young and older kids. They’re closed for the season. I’ve not broken that news yet.
DH and I really miss going out to dinner. It’s how we reconnect. Restaurants are just starting to open here for outdoor seating only, so I’m hoping we will be able to go out sometime soon.
Post by traveltheworld on Jun 9, 2020 12:10:16 GMT -5
We are all bummed that DS won't get to go to overnight summer camp.
I'm bummed that we won't get to travel for a while. We plan on doing a road trip later in the summer, but this will be the first year we don't travel out of the country. Typically we do at least one major international vacation a year. I have this fear that my kids won't want to hang out with us once they are teenagers, so I count how many big trips we still have left before they are teenagers, and missing 1 or possibly more seems like a big deal.
The girls are just really tired of only seeing their friends on video calls. They so desperately want to hang out and have a sleepover again with their BFF. They were all SO excited to see each other for the three seconds when they saw each other in passing during the goodbye parade thing today. Hopefully soon we can figure out a plan to at least resolve that for them. They're disappointed about no summer camp, since it's usually swimming daily, lots of friend time, and weekly field trips. But I think they're also kind of enjoying the lack of running around to get ready in the morning and the frantic schedule that comes with mom and dad both working out of the house.
I'm sad that this summer won't be the same at my parents' house. We usually go to the lake and hang out with my entire extended family - my aunt, uncle, cousins... Between our family and theirs, we easily have 20 of us all together for a constant cycle of beach time, boat rides, and potluck cookouts. The beach is open, since it's a private one for their neighborhood, but we have to space out and obviously won't be sharing food and cookouts and sitting together anytime soon. It'll just feel strange.
I'm also really bummed that it won't be easy for beau and I to go visit his sister who lives in another state. He's so close to her and wants me to meet her so badly, but I just don't know when that will realistically happen. She was supposed to come up here in April and that got cancelled. Now we don't know when travel that far will be possible - and do we really want to road trip a 14 hour drive with 3 kids? (Hard no for me, my kids suck in the car, but I'm not comfortable flying anytime soon, especially with the kids)
This year, DH and I have been together 25 years, and married officially more than half our lives. We wanted to do a really big trip this year, and obviously that’s out. Our kids are bummed we aren’t going to Hilton Head, which is funny since we weren’t planning on going there anyway. They hate that so many things are closed or aren’t safe. Like museums are open, but not interactive exhibits, so our Museum of Science is pretty much closed.
We were sad DS missed finishing up kindergarten. They have a lot of special things they do that are important traditions. He missed them all.
The thing I’m saddest about, though, is learning how many of our friends don’t give a shit about other people. For me, people’s empathy is a big deal. And frankly lack of empathy/lack of belief in the social contract is a deal-breaker. So there are some friends we simply won’t interact with anymore. I don’t want my kids picking up on their attitude toward others. And I’m not talking about merely having a different comfort level with risk. I’m talking about flat not caring that people will die when we could take steps to prevent it. My fav is the couple who were very into “I can run my business and not take any precautions because ‘Murica! ain’t scared” who then emptied out their business for fear of looters (there weren’t any) followed by their multiple FB posts about all the precautions they will take during their kids camps because they can’t get any business. This is followed by their post several weeks ago about how people who aren’t comfortable should stay home and let everyone else do their own thang. Turns out most of their customers (like us) took them up on that offer. I guess you can’t turn a profit doing your own thang when your thang requires customers.
When your business needs customers, and they don't want to come in because of your multiple posts saying you basically don't care about their safety then yes I can see why they would take their business elsewhere.
We are required by the Governor to post signs about social distancing, cleaning and face masks on our doors. Not post on FB how we WILL get everyone sick (not that we would anyway, we are being very careful). I care about people's safety, and I really don't want to be an outbreak site. If we have an outbreak among staff then we have to shut down again, and we still aren't even open to the public yet. We've been shut down since March 15.
Post by librarychica on Jun 9, 2020 13:06:13 GMT -5
My youngest is sad about missing “the big science camp.” It was her first year not in the preschool room, which means more exhibits and no naps. But it’s downtown with hundreds of kids and it seemed more prudent to keep them in a smaller, local camp (12 days! 12 days to go.)
Science camp is old hat for my big and she generally loves being home and being home with me — novelty! Except that it’s been almost three months so even she is getting tired of just her sister, H and I and her grandparents for company.
We don’t tend to do anything big over the summer but I know they miss just going places. Generally on any day off that falls on a weekday for me in the summer we have girls days - science museum, beach, springs, aquarium. We haven’t done any of that. I think we will be able to do some of the more distant springs and beaches eventually (road trip!) but we will wait and see.
My older one had a series of camps cancel and since she was transitioning between elementary and middle she is missing out on all the normal traditions that go with that.
Overall though what is really hard is the persistent isolation from friends. We're hoping for some camp this summer (it is still TBD for my older one) because it just isn't great to be so isolated.
The thing I’m saddest about, though, is learning how many of our friends don’t give a shit about other people. For me, people’s empathy is a big deal. And frankly lack of empathy/lack of belief in the social contract is a deal-breaker. So there are some friends we simply won’t interact with anymore. I don’t want my kids picking up on their attitude toward others. And I’m not talking about merely having a different comfort level with risk. I’m talking about flat not caring that people will die when we could take steps to prevent it. My fav is the couple who were very into “I can run my business and not take any precautions because ‘Murica! ain’t scared” who then emptied out their business for fear of looters (there weren’t any) followed by their multiple FB posts about all the precautions they will take during their kids camps because they can’t get any business. This is followed by their post several weeks ago about how people who aren’t comfortable should stay home and let everyone else do their own thang. Turns out most of their customers (like us) took them up on that offer. I guess you can’t turn a profit doing your own thang when your thang requires customers.
This has been kind of shocking to me too. I know Americans have a reputation for being selfish and only worrying about ourselves and my state's motto is literally "live free or die." But I have been blown away by how many people in town just flat out refuse to be safe or take precautions and are very vocal about it - wearing masks in particular. Just re-emphasized to me that this town does not stand for a lot of the same values I have, but I don't see moving anywhere else anytime soon.
We all miss our routine, and school. I read about people saying the shut downs have caused them to reevaluate their lives and commutes/ schedules and they’ll make changes when they go back to normal. For us, or me at least, I think it just reinforced how much we generally liked our lives and routines.
Like - I loved walking up the block to school everyday to drop the big kids and then another block to drop the toddler at daycare. The kids loved their school and had great teachers. Most of the time, I was fine with the amount of work travel I did. The kids and I liked going to the y and then to tball on Saturdays. DH and I had a great routine of who does pick ups and drop offs, when we would meet to do an afternoon Orangetheory workout while our babysitter picked up the kids, and we had our every other Friday date nights. We’d take a long summer vacation and visit family for holidays.
Sure, sometimes weeks were too busy or someone would get sick and it would be a lot of juggling, but overall we were lucky to have designed our lives in specific ways for a reason, and I’m mourning all of that.
Post by supertrooper1 on Jun 9, 2020 14:44:38 GMT -5
DS misses normal life in general. He misses going to school and seeing his friends. He misses his daycare. He misses going to the playground.
I am sad that we won't have our county fair this year. It seems like every event I would have attended this summer has been cancelled. I miss not being able to travel. Beau and I were talking yesterday that we would have taken at least 2 trips since this started. I had to cancel my birthday dinner and overnight trip to Seattle back in March. I feel like the only activity I have to look forward to this summer is dirt bike riding with beau.
- DHs retirement trip to Japan - overnight camp - kid free cruise - 8th grade continuation - all the special end of 5th grade field trips - not getting to properly say good bye to their old school and those friends (they all start at new schools next year) - neighborhood pool not opening - tennis team getting cancelled (although lessons start this week so that’s at least something) - theater camp - adventure sports camp (although it got changed and he’s there this week and it might actually be better than it was going to be) - Easter dinner (big deal in our family) - teen is pretty upset about not being able to hang out at the mall all the time
Getting a “real” birthday with a water slide and friends for age 5.
Going to the water park (it is actually open but they don’t know and I am not telling them).
Food not cooked by mom (me too).
Summer vacation at the beach (where we normally stay hasn’t rebuilt yet so this is year two of that).
Summer vacation staying in a hotel with the grandparents (this was last year’s replacement for the beach).
Legoland (missed two trips—they’ve reopened now).
Space from family.
My area has reopened a lot but I’m not jumping out there yet (which makes me feel guilty about my privilege to step out of everything and guilty that I am keeping my kids isolated and jealous of those who are comfortable going back out and anxious that we opened too early which really means that I am conflicted).
The kids missed seeing their friends at school and honestly I think they miss the structure school brought. Neither enjoyed the online learning portion. My son keeps saying how he misses sleepovers and play dates with his friends. They both miss the vacations that we had planned.
For my DD who is graduating fifth grade - she missed her graduation and all the hoopla that goes with it.
I don't miss how busy we use to be. I'm enjoying the more relaxed times we have right now.
I think we're very spoiled in that (a) my kids are still young enough that they basically just go with the flow, and (b) we elected to maintain contact with two families. My kids have not complained much about missing out. Our normal life is not too jam packed in general and we're homebodies. Both kids have handled the whole situation like champs, and I'm pretty sure if I asked DD, she'd say this all been a fabulous time. I think both of them would agree with supertrooper1 on missing the playground though!
I am not too far behind my kids. My job is secure (knock on wood) and running like normal, and I'm enjoying no commute, less office gossip, not wearing dress clothes, a complete elimination of heels from my life, and getting to walk/exercise/into a better routine. I've had social interaction with neighbors, and a few after bedtime back porch wine evenings with friends. My biggest disappointment was that I signed up for a spa membership on 2/28 and have been charged monthly since.. and I've not able to use it.
Of all of us, DH is struggling the most. Our vacation being cancelled really hit him hard. All the stress he has at work is easy to overlook when you have that mental countdown going towards a super nice vacation. But honestly, I think he's most disappointed about not being able to go into the office. His normal work routine involves a ~1 hour commute time each way, on a chartered bus (where no phone calls are allowed), that he uses to gear up for and wind down from the day and no one is nagging him. He's spoiled at work with all kinds of perks, which he doesn't have at home. His line between being "on" and being "off" has been obliterated.
DD and DS were both supposed to go to camp in June. This was DD's first sleep away camp and she is bummed. DS is taking it better. DS missed his awards ceremony where he was officially name VP of his club. We will still make our vacation, thankfully we were just planning a trip to the mountains, driving. They may be disappointed not to do some of the things we were planning because of too many people. I will miss just taking a day to go on a trip to the big water park as a family, or just going into the store to kill time, or eating in a restaurant - we can, but it will always be on my mind and I would rather stay outside.
mommyatty, same. I am shocked by the attitudes of some of my friends and acquaintances. Both online and in person. I don't think people realize the impression they put out on social media. The amount of people I am friendly with who have said this is a conspiracy against Trump, or that the vaccine will carry a microchip from Bill Gates or is the mark of the beast, is just bizarre. DH and I are baffled that people actually think that Italy, Spain, New Zealand, etc... all shut their entire worlds downs as a Trump conspiracy. I don't know if I will look at some people the same.
I miss being able to plan out my life. All this uncertainty and changing facts makes it really hard for the planner in me that also wants to get it right.
DD1 misses her friends from school. The other two girls don't seem to mind any of this.
I'm sad that we didn't get to go on our adults only trip with friends for DH's Birthday.
The kids are sad that they didn't get to finish out the school year in school. They miss their friends. We all miss being able to go anywhere (i.e. zoo, science center, pool, camps). Those places are starting to reopen but DH and I just don't want to deal with the mask and entry logistics (every where has limited capacity). Camps and soccer were cancelled. Fourth of July festivities were cancelled. I feel like the whole summer is cancelled. I'm turning 40 early next month and I don't think we'll be celebrating much beyond my family coming over. DH has promised a do-over next summer.
We have been visiting with my immediate family and my FIL, so at least some of the holidays feel normal. I've been enjoying WFH - that's two hours of commute time that I get back. So I've been exercising more, getting some house projects done, started some new hobbies. We've also learned to enjoy the great outdoors at some local, out-of-the-way parks. The kids enjoy looking for geocaches. For the more intense hikes, my parents watch the boys while DH and I get some one-on-one time with DD.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
Post by edwardo123 on Jun 10, 2020 14:31:20 GMT -5
In the beginning, my oldest missed out on the state championship swim meet. She missed qualifying the year before and was so excited to have met her goal. Now, she’s aged up and has a new goal to work towards.
My youngest missed out on having closure with her preschool friends. She keeps asking about different kids, but I don’t have their parents’ contact information. Daycare recently opened back up, so I may try to bring her to say goodbye during their outdoor time. We would talk through the fence to keep social distance.
I miss being alone. I didn’t realize how much my sanity depends on the alone time I get on my commute, my lunch/planning time at school, and while waiting on kids during their practices.
I’m sorry mrsGreeko and erbear - that’s really sad to miss out on such big, fun family trips.
As soon as the airlines open our dates for next year I’m most likely rebooking the exact same trip. It’s just a bump in the road...
This a good idea. We had Nashville for spring break that we cancelled and a weekend beach trip in early June. These would be easy to rebook since they are driveable. I don’t know if we would want to go anywhere in December. I might take the kids out if school since everything is messed up anyway- who cares!
Post by sandandsea on Jun 10, 2020 15:18:14 GMT -5
I’m bummed we won’t get to go on vacation this year. We had planned a trip with BIL & kids and ILs and it would be their first trip since SIL passed away. We were all going on a 5 day cruise together to hang out and help BIL get a vacation. It’s frustrating and sad that it isn’t happening. And due to issues we dont know when/if we can try to do it again.
I’m also bummed DH and I didn’t get our couple vacation this year as it is really an important week for us every year to reconnect and get a breather.
A major promotion at work is up in the air. And my kids desperately miss friends, school, sports, and routine.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
erbear, did you have flight insurance or how do you get a refund? Ours came in the form of a voucher which I don't know if we will be able to use.
Same. I wrote my congressional rep. There is a bill right now that will require cash refunds for all flights during the crisis, but I don't know the chances of passing. It seems cut and dry to me, but of nothing logical passes.
erbear , did you have flight insurance or how do you get a refund? Ours came in the form of a voucher which I don't know if we will be able to use.
They cancelled the flight so they are obligated by law to offer a refund. They obviously don't want to, but they have to. If you cancel your flight, they can just offer a voucher.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”