Not Sure What to Do as a Family
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
United States
July 5, 2020 8:10am CST
This is supposed to be a great week weather wise in our area. Normally we would be heading out to our favorite fishing hole to spend the day. We would pack a lunch and plenty of cold drinks. Bring our lazy chairs, towels in case we felt the need to get wet and splash in the water. Bubbles for Little Miss, and sunscreen of course.
Sadly, we probably won't be doing this for a while. I asked my husband last night when we would be doing something fun that involves all of us. He couldn't even come up with an idea and said it was up to me. Well, considering that every good spot is packed this weekend, we probably will stay home again.
I have to be creative with finding fun things to do. Found a blow up pool last week. That will be set up in the yard today and I will start filling it using buckets of water that I will need to haul from the house. We do not have an outside spigot, so I have to lug the water.
Maybe I will pack up a lunch for Little Miss and I to share and head off to the Deer Park along with some apples to feed the deer. She really enjoys that. Hubby becomes bored with this kind of activity so, it is up to me to go it alone.
There are plenty of spots along the main river that is to the East of us. Maybe I can convince the hubby to bring us there. The water is cold coming off the mountain, but very refreshing. He can fish while we play. Maybe, it will happen. We shall see.
There are plenty of things a family can do together and maintain social distancing. These are trying times and puts a lot of stress on families and those we love. Patience and creativity is a must.
9 people like this
9 responses
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
5 Jul 20
I hope you can find things to do as a family. It is hard for everyone to find things, especially things that encourage social distancing. A friend and I went to the mountains yesterday. A State Park we've been to before, and there were people there but not as many as usual. We had to buy tickets in advance.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
5 Jul 20
There was a gathering at one of our local family parks that they dubbed as a protest so not to have the gathering dispersed by our local police. I believe they had fireworks too. The fireworks display and gathering that usually happens on the 4th was cancelled and the local group of so called "Patriots" decided to have their own. We didn't go.
So, we had our own little thing at home. My niece, her BF, and their kids came over later in the day and we had sparklers and poppers for the kids. Of course my husband is the biggest kid and had as much fun playing as they did.
Our State Parks I had heard were quite full and we didn't even think about going to any of them.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
5 Jul 20
@ElusiveButterfly I heard about a gathering like that on the news today. Somewhere in our area but on a lake. Still too crowded. Someone on the road above us was setting them off last night, and our neighbors had sparklers. I watched a few of them.
I wonder if your State Parks are doing like ours? We must book a ticket. I am not sure how many are allowed in the park at a time but I believe it's somewhere around 100.
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@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
5 Jul 20
@ScribbledAdNauseum ours just recently opened up again. They do not have picnic tables or trash cans. You need to bring your own chairs, tables, and bags for trash. You need to bring your trash with you when you leave. Not sure that they are counting how many are in the park. I believe they should though. They do stress the need for social distancing. Not sure that people practice it though.
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@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
5 Jul 20
Seems like I do most of the planning and carryout the plan. My husband seems to only want to do things that are fun for him. Our little plans do not fit into his. Really makes me sad.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
5 Jul 20
@LadyDuck and then I thought about going to the river and that too really isn't something I want to do. Unless we are there for a short period of time. I am not one to squat in the great outdoors when I have to pee!
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@LadyDuck (457412)
• Switzerland
5 Jul 20
@ElusiveButterfly I am so sorry, it would help if he joined, I hope he will bring you to the main river.
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@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
5 Jul 20
We have ventured off in search of a good place that isn't crowded. Sadly, every place we go is packed and people seem oblivious to the fact that this virus isn't gone yet! I will not risk it and prefer to stay home. But, I miss doing things as a family out in the big old world.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
6 Jul 20
@Juliaacv That is how I feel as well. I think of how our ancestors were home for long periods of time. They schooled their children as best they could. They found simple means of entertaining themselves.
We do play games and take walks around the area. Even those little walks bring joy to Little Miss. I have to remember that the simple things in life are the best.
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@Juliaacv (48272)
• Canada
5 Jul 20
@ElusiveButterfly I have wanted to get out this weekend also.
And sadly, the 2 places that I wanted to go are both places that get crazy busy, and that is just not safe in my books.
We ventured out early this morning and just got back home again.
Maybe if you try to plan something for mid-morning and be back by mid-afternoon you will feel safer without crowds. And in the long run, staying home and staying safe may sound mundane and boring, but I would take that over lying in a hospital bed with covid. And I am sure that you would also.
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@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
6 Jul 20
I actually had to decline a birthday party invitation yesterday. Although I really wanted to go, I just couldn't bring myself to be around a large group of people. I know that there would have been at least 20 people there. Even though they are mostly family, it is too many people to be around.
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@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
7 Jul 20
@gr8nana6 you can see them, but remember to keep a social distance. Sad times we live in. I look forward to the day when we can once again visit and hug often.
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@gr8nana6 (6614)
• Conyers, Georgia
6 Jul 20
@ElusiveButterfly I know what you mean, I am apprehensive about going to my grand daughter's party when they all come up here from Georgia in a few weeks. There will be a lot of people there too, I did ask them to please come visit me here at my home. I want to see them since I haven't seen them since christmas.
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@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
6 Jul 20
A photo came up in my Facebook memories of my husband and I out in our little motor boat on a lake that we often went to. Best way to social distance and enjoy the summer weather.
Unfortunately I doubt that Little Miss would be great on a boat because she doesn't sit still for very long. I would need to find someone to care for her so we could go as a couple. This defeats the idea of fun as a family unit. 'But, I really miss time spent fishing on the boat.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
7 Jul 20
@JudyEv when she was 2, she couldn't manage to sit still for more than a 15 minute drive. She has come a long way since then. So, I am sure that knowing the destination will be helpful to her and will be able to sit for a bit longer. As long as she has something to keep her occupied (we usually bring her dvd player and movies) she will be better. But, even so, she gets a little bored.
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@JudyEv (325345)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Jul 20
@ElusiveButterfly Hopefully as Little Miss gets a bit older she might sit still for longer.
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@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
9 Jul 20
I hope you could get him to take you
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@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
9 Jul 20
I keep looking at the weather forecast for Hampton Beach and hope that I can convince him to give up a weekend of bow shooting so we can go visit my sister. If he can't do this I am going to try to talk my sister into going with me.
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@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
9 Jul 20
@Courtlynn I told him he really needs to focus more on family time and not so much on himself.
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@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
9 Jul 20
@ElusiveButterfly i hope he does, especially with it meaning alot to you
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@Marilynda1225 (79592)
• United States
5 Jul 20
I hope you can find something to do but I know it's hard when you have to social distance etc. Keeping a little one happy and occupied is difficult.
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@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
6 Jul 20
She had a friend that lives in the same park. Her mother and I try to get the girls together as often as we can so they can play together. They have bonded and we are so happy that they did. There is a 2 year age difference between them. But, that doesn't matter for them. They enjoy each others company.
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@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
7 Jul 20
@Marilynda1225 we moved around quite a bit when I was a child. I recall the people I was friends with back then, but the friendships didn't remain.
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@Marilynda1225 (79592)
• United States
6 Jul 20
@ElusiveButterfly a 2 year age difference isn't really that big a deal. I'm glad she has a friend as it's important as children grow up. I'm still friends with my first friend from childhood.
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@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
5 Jul 20
Even family gatherings are out for me. We have a birthday party today for my great-nephew. I know that there will be too many people there. We are staying home. I will send him a gift though.
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@DianneN (246334)
• United States
5 Jul 20
@ElusiveButterfly Same here. We don't know who may be a carrier.
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@Suhendra7 (494)
• Indonesia
5 Jul 20
The pandemic really have impacts when we talk about outside activities. Me myself is rarely going outside too, when usually I went outside to meet my friends and hangout. My niece is 3 years old and she really wants to go to the parks again, 
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@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
6 Jul 20
There are children's play parks in our area that are closed to the public. There is no way to sanitize them to make sure they remain safe for the children to play.
I am considering purchasing a swing set for Little Miss. However, I know that they are probably not available because they have sold out in most areas.
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@Suhendra7 (494)
• Indonesia
6 Jul 20
@ElusiveButterfly yeah true stuffs like that will have a lot of buyer these days. I hope you discover fun things with Little Miss, even its not going to public places 
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