Through a Child's Eyes

What do you remember? And Why?

Through a Child's Eyes

I was interviewed by my granddaughter last week about what I remembered from my childhood exposure to a pandemic. My memories helped me to think about what children will remember about this pandemic.

All I remembered about that pandemic, which was polio, was that we stood in a line at my elementary school for hours to get to the gym where the vaccine-soaked sugar cubes were being dispensed. I don’t remember if I fidgeted while in line. I don’t remember myself or my parents being afraid to take the vaccine. Those kinds of behaviors and fears were not allowed in my family. Children obeyed, they did not ask questions. You did what you were told, you trusted your parents, authorities, and experts. My how things have changed.

This may date me, but I remember from grade school days just what the polio pandemic was like. Unless you were unlucky enough to get sick or loose a close family member or know someone who was crippled, pandemics to children are potentially forgettable.

Children won’t even begin to remember that Great Aunt Ulu in New York died in 2020. She is not real to them. She doesn’t give them treats or teach them card games. Her baked goods don’t brighten their day. She is eminently forgettable. And the pandemic is forgotten with her. It is easy to see why children forget these things.

What is it that they remember about this pandemic? What will be significant through a child’s eyes

The first thing children will remember is that there was no school! Children who love school and children who tolerate school will remember its absence. Most caring adults will consciously try not to scare children with stories of virus and death. They will make up some tale about how school is closed. One fourth grader responded this way when asked why school was closed:

“They ran out of toilet paper!”

The second thing children will remember is that they got to sleep in. In fact, many parents encourage their children to sleep as late as possible. Every parent believes that a rested child is a compliant child. And that extra sleep also works for the parents.

Thirdly, children will remember that Mom and Dad spent a lot more time at home. This is nirvana for most children under the age of 12. More time with mom and dad, great! Blanket tents, tickle time, wall shadows, paper cutting, pasting and coloring, hide and seek in the house. What could be better? All that attention without the distraction of school and work?

Even children who love school will enjoy this pandemic. They get the best of all worlds. They can move ahead on-line as fast as they want. No more waiting for the slow classmates to catch up. Plus on-line school gives them more one-on-one time with mom and dad. And mom and dad are super impressed with just how smart the kids are, and how quickly they catch on to the lesson. It’s a win-win!

Sure sometimes dad has an on-line meeting. But it is only hours at most, not all day. And he’s just in the next room…not an hour away! It’s all good.

Lastly, a child may see this time as the first time they really got to know their siblings. When you play with someone everyday, you really get to know them. Depending on the age gap, and personality, this may be good…or bad!

Family closeness is enhanced by the pandemic. “Go play with your brother/sister.” Is much more common than it ever was before. Now it replaces “Leave your brother/or sister alone!”

Of course, this time is a food paradise for children. Observant moms stock up on what the kids like to eat. No point in spending money on food kids don’t eat. Just not worth the waste and the struggle. Shopping is a hassle anyway! Just make mac and cheese every day. Kids don’t care! From their vantage point, its all good.

So from a child’s eyes, it’s a great time to be alive. The momentary grumpiness of adults over bills and money and things like kids fighting and rent are soon forgotten. From a child’ perspective, just flash a smile, give a hug, and say you love them, and it’s the best of all possible situations.

Why haven’t we tried this quarantine thing before? Just saying, it’s the view from a child’s eyes!