FAMILY
Finding a New Normal:
Socializing with Young Children
Amid a Pandemic
by Jen Marlette
Rewind to February, and my three-year-old and I were regulars for Monday morning storytime at Lorain Public Library System’s main branch with Miss Dawn. We had just started visiting the Lorain Historical Society on Tuesdays to enjoy and learn in the Children’s Room. The Lorain County Metro Parks was in their second month of a brand-new program, Eco Kids, held at the Sunset Café at Lakeview Park. We had attended both classes and looked forward to the weather breaking in hopes the third class would be outdoors.
Then everything came to a screeching halt mid-March. Now, summer is just beginning. Ohio has been slowly re-opening for over a month, but with this coronavirus still very much a part of our lives, how can we resume social outings and playdates with our young kids?
The Erie Shores Early Childhood PTA (ESECPTA), of which we are members, decided to kick off summer with a parking lot party. The American Slovak Club on Broadway Avenue generously offered their location. This venue enabled ESECPTA to hold their event privately with ample space to distance families and kids, depending on everyone’s comfort level. l a c ol ni a r ol e h t @ | m o c .l a c ol ni a r ol
The theme of this year’s summer party was the 2020 Olympics. Each family picked a country and decorated their car. We were very excited when Lorain Local Magazine accepted our invitation to judge the best car. The first-place prize went to the Philippines, pictured above. Lorain Local Magazine | page 24
