Something I’ve been wondering lately: how do COVID-aware parents talk to their kids about institutional gaslighting? You can teach your kids about the importance of respirators and ventilation and cleaning the air, but how do you explain why most other people tend to think none of those things are really necessary, and no one in charge is telling people otherwise?
I’d love to hear about how different parents navigate that with their different-aged kids, if anyone feels like sharing.
@IPEdmonton Parenting is more about examples than talk. At age 7, she follows our example even if others at her school do not. Mom works at a hospital and removes scrubs when she gets home and has our daughter remove her uniform and change into home clothes just like her. She understands germs. We say it is for our safety and her safety.
@Bertrecords Right, but how does she feel about the fact that at age seven, she understands something that nearly all of her peers and many adults don't understand? Does she experience a disconnect there, and if so, is it something you've directly talked about?
@IPEdmonton In her school, masking wearing is 50/50 or at least common and respected. We are fortunate she goes to a school like that. We have more issues with getting her to put on socks.
@IPEdmonton We do talk about it. But, more importantly she is not isolated from the world and also sees for herself. She was regularly visiting an 85 y.o. who died of COVID, March 2020, so she knows it is real. She saw BLM activity and looting during short walks from our house. School over Zoom actually worked for her though she is very social. Some kids are very adult even if they tell silly jokes. She feels like adults feel, except not so traumatized as this is normal for her.
