Tips for Reuniting Your Kids With Grandparents During COVID-19

As the restrictions around COVID-19 slowly begin to lift around the country, people are excited to enjoy a somewhat normal summer. But there will still be plenty of limitations for many of us, especially in the pandemic’s hot spots and epicenters, and the anxiety around catching and spreading the virus – not to mention sparking a resurgence – remain.
Summer is not an ideal time to quarantine, especially after months of social distancing if not outright isolation, and people are eager to get back in touch with family and friends. Which should be possible, with precautions. My kids are dying to visit Grandma and Pop-pop; spending weekends with them is a summer tradition. But elderly people are among the most at-risk for infection, so any interaction with them is fraught.
How much concern should you have, and what can you do to help minimize the risk? The NY Times Parenting section consulted their ‘Well columnist’ Tara Parker-Pope for advice.
“So many [grandparents] told me that life on indefinite lockdown, without hugs and time with family, is just not worth living,” Parker-Pope said, before sharing a variety of tips for people planning to reunite with elderly family members.
Among her suggestions:
Let children hug you around the knees or waist; Hug facing opposite directions; Kiss your grandchild on the back of the head.
The Instagram post included some “don’t” tips as well.
DO
✔️ Let children hug you around the knees or waist
✔️ Hug facing opposite directions
✔️ Kiss your grandchild on the back of the head
DON’T
❌ Hug with cheeks together, facing the same direction.
❌ Hug face-to-face
And try not to cry. Tears and runny noses increase risk for coming into contact with more fluids that contain the virus.
For more of Parker-Pope’s tips for having safe grandmother and grandchild reunions, check out the full article about how to hug during COVID-19.