In March of 2020, the world as we know it began to change. As a country, we began socially distancing ourselves from others (of at least 6 feet). For our health benefit, it has become a social norm. Kids and adults alike are doing school work online and/or working from home. All non-essential businesses required to shut down. This social distancing requirement is anything but normal. The only businesses allowed to operate are what the government deems essential:
- grocery and liquor stores (thank goodness),
- restaurants for delivery/takeout only,
- businesses in the medical field, construction, government entities, utilities, etc.
This ‘temporary’ new world we live in is our new normal. I am lucky to have a flexible work schedule. So, I am able to help my sister (who is essential) by watching my nephews. Usually, my parents take turns but they are in the higher risk category so I’m helping them out.
What are we going to do? I thought I would share a weekly update on social distancing from a kids’ perspective. As time passes on, it will be interesting to hear what my nephews think about this pandemic and how it is affecting them! It is so much more fun to listen vs. reading. Each week I will be updating this page with new voice clip interviews with my nephews.
Week 1 – March 16, 2020
Week one is just the beginning. It is interesting to hear the innocence in this clip.
Week 2 – March 24, 2020
This week seems normal. But, are they really practicing social distancing when being outside with friends?
Week 3 – April 2, 2020
We are in the middle of week three. Has the perspective changed at all?
Week 4 – April 8, 2020
It’s week #4 and they are policing neighborhoods now – with $2,000 fines! Do they get it yet?
Week 5 – April 17, 2020
Police slowly patrol, executive orders delivered making wearing masks mandatory. Listen to week #5!
Week 6 – April 30, 2020
Stay-cations delayed us a week but we are back! Are these kids are getting frustrated with each other?
Week 7 – May 7, 2020
What’s new? The kids took over the mic to begin this week, school is closed, anything else?
Week 8 – May 13, 2020
While the state is trying to meet the 7 requirements for Phase 1 re-opening, these kids seem to be content. My nerves are getting the best of me.
Week 9 – May 21, 2020
Week 10 – May 28, 2020
While we are currently in phase #1 reopening the economy, all of the fun, awesome summer events are still be cancelled…is it affecting these yahoos yet?
Week 11 – June 3, 2020
My nephews perspective on everything going on in the world right now…Social Distancing, Pandemic, Curfews! Crazy stuff. We have all gone a bit nuts too. Like, everyone! – Enjoy!
Week 12 – June 9, 2020
Wow, what a week. From curfews and riots to peaceful protests and a call to defund/eliminate/recreate the police. What happened to Covid-19 and the pandemic?
Week 13 – June 17, 2020
We are in phase 3 and have visitors this week! One of these yahoos gets a little crazy. Is he trying to show off in front of family? Hmm….you can be the judge!
Week 14 – June 24, 2020
Where did these 2 yahoos spent this past weekend? So are other states as strict as NYS when it comes to social distancing & face masks? How different was it? Is anyone worried?
Week 15 – July 1, 2020
We are without one of our co-contributors this week! Oh, and we have a guest that just shows up in the middle of recording – go figure! We are in Phase 4 of reopening!
Week 16 – July 11, 2020
We are without the other co-contributor – Max. He left abruptly & went to a friends house. In any event, this lovely chat went into camping again, force fields & cousin love.
Week 17 – July 17, 2020
They are back…together again! After a wonderful hike to the Eternal Flame in Chestnut Ridge Park, we recorded this week in the ravine. It was very relaxing.
Week 18 – July 23 2020
Wow – it is week 18 & baseball is running the show. What exactly are the rules? Are they being followed? These yahoos are starting to fib a bit…barbie masks?
Week 19 – July 31 2020
This week is a must listen! These boys took over the recorder and did it all by themselves! So, with having free reign, what in the world did they talk about?
Final (Week 20) – August 25 2020
All good things must come to a stupid end. Our series finale on Social Distancing from A Kids Perspective is a reflection on the past 5 months from when social distancing was new to now the new normal. Take a journey with us as we look back on our very first episode and all of the strange things that have take place since and how they are today!
Visit my Pinterest Page to Pin Each Week
Will Social Distancing Affect the Future?
Kids are interesting, right? This is the first ‘crisis’ children today will have engraved in their memories forever. It is interesting how times like these shape our future. My hope is that this indefinite social distancing mandate along with business shut down that everyone, kids especially will learn from this pandemic and become kinder, not take life/things for granted, and overall begin to make this world a better place for all!
Previous to this pandemic and all of the crazy stuff I’ve encountered in my human resources career, I have been ranting about how lost we have become as a society. What do you think is going to happen after this pandemic nightmare is over? I hope we go back to being kind to others, have good manners, and respect everyone and everything. In the meantime, please read some of my posts that bring a perspective BEFORE this pandemic and of course my concern for the mental health crisis that I believe will result AFTER.
Watch My Rant Here
all the best and still keeping my social distance *judean*
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35 Comments
I hope the world will be kinder too once this is over. I’ve seen alot of kindness and community involvement in the last month, but I’ve also seen the mean and inconsiderate side of people.
I agree – it is unfortunate. We just recently were told that fines of $2,000 for anyone not following social distancing practices. I have been driving around because it is therapeutic for me – especially when the sun is shining. However, the drivers out there have become terrible. Blowing thru stop signs and coming within a foot of people walking or biking on the street -when there is room to go around. The ‘old’laws do not apply but they are quick to create new one (that our very own police were violating yesterday at the park). What is this world coming to?
Great tips thank you for sharing.
We recently stopped allowing my step daughter to play with friends outside. They really don’t understand the social distancing or the severity of this. It is hard but we will all get through it if we take the right actions.
The problem is I am not mom so what they do when I am not there is not up to me. We shall see what happens.
Interesting Read..we are trying to properly explain this situation to our 4 year old in ways he can understand. We will get there but what difficult times for those of us with children.
I think the way we live our lives after this will change. Stay safe.
This whole thing is very hard on kids. Thank you for sharing
Great stuff! I love hearing the kids’ perspectives on this. My 16 yr old told me he misses school. Whoa!
There is a great lesson to be learned here about caring and loving on others in the time of struggle and strife. Good for you for helping out your sister who is an essential employee.
Life as we knew it has changed. Staying positive and well is first and foremost on my agenda! Love the childs perspective here!
Very different perspectives from kids to adults. Mine have moments where they are just fine and others when it is really hard, like when friends birthday parties get cancelled!
I personally believe we will surely all change in some way after this pandemic. Most of people for the better but many will still be mad on the world. But this pandemic will surely change the life as we knew it before. I don’t have kids just yet, but I truly hope they will learn to be more attentive to the others as well as the earth itself than the older generation.
Stay safe and healthy!
Thank you for sharing. It’s interesting to hear from a kid’s perspective.
We are a week ahead of you. Kids had a zoom class with band last week – first teacher/class interaction in two weeks and it was an amazing change in attitude. Love that we are using technology to keep everyone together and connected through all of this.
I think it is awesome that you are spending such quality time with your nephews! There are so many lessons to be learned from this for both adults and kids. Really fantastic post.
It has been hard not seeing my grandson and he is struggling as well. My daughter has to video chat with me to break up their day.
This is a scary time to be a child right now or young adult. Dealing with things that even as adults it is hard to comprehend. Very useful tips and great idea to bring to light for parent’s to read and think about.. thanks for sharing 👍
I’m hoping that as parents, we can create an experience for our children that they will look back on fondly and without anxiety and trepidation. My husband worries, but I am confident that God’s got this. He ‘s dealt with worse, even if I haven’t.
Thanks for sharing this. I am really doing my best to be calm and focused during this time so that my kids see that, rather than stress and disharmony. This is a hard time for everyone, and we all need grace and understanding.
Thankfully we have a very introverted little one so it isn’t so bad but for older children and teens who are by design more reliant on their peers this is rough.
This is absolutely important – to remember that this is greatly effecting our kids as well. Thank you so much for this unique post <3
I’m sad that Spring sports are not going to happen too!
That’s great that you let your nephews share their perspectives. Kids are affected in different ways than adults. Thanks for sharing!
My kids are 20 and 23 so they have a little different perspective. I’m actually glad mine are not younger right now, its got to be hard, but then again kids are resilient.
Interesting perspective! My bonus kids are older in middle and high school and at first, they liked being home from school but after a couple of weeks, they don’t like it! They miss their friends and having somewhere else to go!
yeah i think the kids are actually handling this pretty well. better than a lot of adults for sure
My hope is that some good will come from all of this, that lessons are being learned. But I am afraid that things will go back to how they were before, if not be worse.
Things are likely to be different
It’s so interesting to think about. I keep imagining how I would have felt if this all happened when I was a child. I think I would have enjoyed it, since I’ve always been a true introvert haha! And I agree with you, I could 100% see a mental health crisis during this time spent at home! Hoping things go back to normal sooner rather than later!
-Madi xo |
Agreed – I would have probably loved this as a child. As an adult, I am struggling with the mental health aspect – it adds to my already infused anxiety!
This article was so cool. First one I’ve seen from an actual kids perspective! How creative and awesome they were willing to participate. Thanks for sharing
Thank you Mariah! Trying to be different and why not? Please share!
Honestly, I wish after everything, when all this is over we continue to be nice to one another.
Because one lesson I’ve learnt so far is we are not so different after all. We are all the same person underneath it all.
Such a relevant and relatable post. Great insight. Thanks for sharing.