Welcome to Home Insemination Kit’s advice column, where our team of “experts” tackles the perplexing questions you have about life, love, body image, friendships, parenting, and everything else that leaves you scratching your head.
This week… What should you do when your neighbors are allowing their children to play together, but you’re feeling uneasy about it? Do you hold your ground and risk your kids resenting you? If you have a question of your own, feel free to reach out!
Dear Home Insemination Kit,
I reside in a neighborhood full of identical houses where everyone is practically on top of each other. It’s great for my kids but a nightmare for my introverted self and anxiety, especially right now. Throughout this pandemic, many of my neighbors have been ignoring proper social distancing guidelines. They believe that since we’re all home, the risk of spreading the virus is minimal, and that it’s perfectly fine for our kids to interact. I’ve been strict about keeping my kids away from the neighborhood gatherings and having them only play with each other. They’re understandably frustrated and upset, but I believe this is keeping them safe. Now that our area is gradually reopening, my neighbors are pressuring me about playdates, insisting that I need to “lighten up” since we can’t “stay cooped up forever.” I’m still not comfortable with this. How can I communicate my feelings without causing conflict?
Wow, it sounds like your neighbors are perfectly illustrating how pandemics spread! By not adhering to safety measures and assuming everyone else is following suit, they’re creating a risky environment. Personally, I find it hard to trust others when it comes to health and safety. Even if your neighbors claim to only go to the grocery store (and let’s be honest, I’m guessing they might be engaging in other activities), any outing increases exposure.
A friend of mine pointed out that if someone thinks it’s okay for their kids to wrestle in the backyard or hang out closely, it raises questions about their judgment during the past couple of months. But you already know this, or else you wouldn’t be apprehensive about playdates.
Here’s what you can do: the next time your neighbor, let’s say Lisa, tries to guilt you into a playdate, you can say, “I appreciate the offer, but I see the severity of this pandemic differently than you and others in our area. While things are slowly opening up, I’m not yet ready to relax my social distancing measures for my family.”
You can assert that she’s entitled to her perspective, just as you are to yours (though hers may pose a risk to public health—feel free to mention that if you like), and all you ask for is respect for the precautions you’ve chosen to keep your family and others safe.
She might be a bit annoyed, but she’ll get over it. Your kids, depending on their age, may not be able to process this as easily, especially when they see their friends playing outside. That can be tough on both you and them. Validate their feelings of frustration and sadness, and always have a backup activity ready to distract them from the fact that their friends are engaging in risky behavior.
Hang in there, Mama. You’re doing an amazing job. If you’re curious about home insemination, check out this informative piece about pregnancy and home insemination. And if you’re interested in a great tool for self insemination, take a look at the artificial insemination kit that can help. For a lighter take, don’t forget to explore celebrity resemblances.
Summary:
Managing neighborhood dynamics during a pandemic can be challenging, especially when neighbors have different views on social distancing. It’s important to trust your instincts for your family’s safety while finding a way to communicate your boundaries respectfully. Stay strong and validate your children’s feelings during this tough time.