For the past four years, my children and I have been pretty much staying home.

Why?

Because of Covid.

My children have low blood cell counts, so Covid is still a real threat.

But we have come to learn that we can still go out and stay safe!

There are just some extra precautions that we have to take.

Here are some ways that we avoid Covid, but still manage to have fun.

Maybe these tips will help you and your family, too!

1. Be Free-But Be Safe!

So many people barked about having to wear masks and social distance during the pandemic.

“We want our freedom!” They chanted.

But they didn’t care about the harm that Covid could cause them.

And still can.

Listen…

Even though you’re being smart and realizing that Covid is still a threat…

That doesn’t mean that you and your family can’t live freely, as most others are doing.

Just be smart about it!

You don’t have to stay at home for the rest of your life in order to avoid Covid!

I mean, yes, stay home, for the most part.

But still go out!

You can take safety gear with you!

Be smart about the places that you go.

Be smart about when you go!

Make home your main place.

The world is still your oyster!

Just be safe about it!

2. Know Your Comfort Level

Everyone has a different comfort level about Covid.

Most people run right out in front of Covid and don’t seem to care if they catch it.

Other people may only feel comfortable going to a few different places in order to avoid it.

Some may only feel comfortable in one situation over the other.

Personal Example

My sister is getting married soon.

Our aunt and uncle are still very Covid-cautious and barely leave the house.

Our aunt has decided to attend the wedding because she is comfortable with eating out at restaurants on a rare occasion.

But our uncle is not comfortable eating in public places, so because of this, he is not attending.

I fall in line with my uncle.

My children and I will attend the ceremony, which is outdoors, but not the reception, which is indoors.

Each person has their own history with Covid and their own comfort level.

Recognize yours so that you can make good decisions for yourself and your family!

3. Plan Ahead

Don’t go out or agree to a gathering without thinking ahead first.

This one is important!

Say, a friend calls you up and invites you and your child to her daughter’s birthday party.

Make certain to gather all of the details about the event first.

Try to be careful not to agree to attend the party right off the bat.

You don’t want to find yourself in a position, later on, where you have to cancel if you realize that you won’t be comfortable.

Gather the information about the get-together.

Evaluate your comfort level.

Plan how you and your child will stay safe while participating.

Then make a well-rounded decision.

How important is the gathering?

How risky will it be?

Wait a day or two before giving a final answer.

This way, you will give yourself enough time to evaluate the situation.

Plan the Scene

So, you’ve decided to attend the party.

Okay.

Cool.

Think about some different scenarios that may occur during the event and plan out how you would handle them.

For instance…

Say, the birthday girl goes to blow out the candles on the cake and blows all over it!

Ugh!

(What used to not be a big deal back in 2019 is suddenly a big deal!)

So, then, your friend offers your child a piece of the cake that her daughter just blew all over!

What are you going to do?

How will you handle the situation?

Think!

Another Example

Maybe you and your child still wear masks to stay safe.

What will you do if some of the other children start teasing your daughter about her mask?

How would you help your child handle the situation?

How will you handle it if some of the parents make comments to you about your own mask-wearing?

I am not trying to discourage you from these events.

I am simply trying to prepare you so that you and your family can have the best outcome.

It is all about balancing safety with social expectations.

This is tricky, but once you master it, you’ll be golden!

4. Make Conscious Choices

This one sort of goes along with planning ahead.

When you plan ahead, you may find that you make good, conscious choices.

We already covered personal gatherings in the previous section.

But there are some other ways that you can make good, solid choices.

Adopt some specific rules about outings!

One of my rules is that we don’t go into a store on the weekend when there are more people.

We only go during the week when most folks are at work or school.

If I’d like to take my kids to a movie, we go to the latest show available during the week.

Never on the weekends!

If we go into someone’s home to visit, we wear masks and keep a bit of a distance.

I remind my children ahead of time not to get too close to anyone and to keep their mask on.

Come up with some of your own rules and it will help you to make better choices when you’re out.

5. Be Open

Let everyone know that you and your child are still staying safe from Covid.

If you have a good reason, give it!

Everyone is so private nowadays.

When you don’t share information, it leaves people guessing.

Before you know it, they start rumors and talking behind your back!

Why?

Because they simply don’t understand.

When people don’t understand something, they start making assumptions.

And others making assumptions about you and your family can turn pretty dark, pretty fast!

Maybe you are okay with that and it doesn’t bother you.

Unfortunately, it bothers me.

I am straight up with everyone!

I tell everyone that we stay safe because of my children’s health conditions.

It’s no secret!

I don’t mind sharing that information if it will help people to better understand us.

Try to be as open as you can about your situation so that others can find a way to connect with you about it.

This way, they will have a better understanding and maybe be more accepting of your feelings about your choice in handling Covid.

6. Set the Rules for Your Own Home

It is one thing when you are going out in public or into someone else’s home.

You can’t force others to wear a mask, get vaccinated, keep a distance or clean their hands.

But you sure as hell can if those folks are coming into your home!

Set some rules right away!

If grandma wants to come over and doesn’t practice Covid safety, let her know that, in your house, it is expected!

Give her the list right away before she comes to visit so that she can prepare.

I tell everyone that they are more than welcome to come over.

But!

They have to wear a mask.

They have to clean their hands at the door.

(I leave hand sanitizer by the entry way)

And they have to remove their shoes before walking into our home.

Also, if they are feeling any bit under the weather, I ask them to reschedule.

Why do I do all of that?

Because my children’s lives are that important to me!

It’s hard.

I’m not going to lie.

I am certain that I seem like a hard-ass to others.

But I don’t care!

I want to keep us safe and if someone is coming into my home, I expect them to value my children’s safety just as well.

7. Get Your Safety Gear in Order

Okay!

So, you’re going out!

What do you need to stay safe?

Plan it out the night before, if you can.

Gather your masks!

Bring extra just in case!

Get your hand sanitizer!

Got your Clorox wipes?

Put everything together so that you don’t forget anything.

Staying Safe Means Awesome Parenting

Keeping your child safe is the number one job of any parent!

Making the choice to keep your family safe from a ruthless virus, such as Covid, is impeccable!

Now, I get it.

It’s hard to go against the grain.

But remember that you are doing it because you love your family and you’ll do anything to protect them.

Even if it means looking like a fool when wearing a mask when no one else is.

Even if it means crazily Clorox-wiping the store cart before putting your child into it.

People will stare at you.

Bulk at you.

Call you an idiot.

But don’t you worry about them!

You worry about your babies!

Your family.

And try to make the best of a very difficult situation.

I commend you, my friend, for making healthy choices for you and your family.

How are you keeping your family safe still from Covid?

Feel free to share in the comments section below!