Have you guys tried bringing your kids out na ba?
I have been reading in different Facebook group discussions that some places are now allowing kids (below 15 years old) inside malls. I started seeing kids inside the malls sometime in October. When I went to SM Aura, I was surprised to see little children with masks and face shields on going around with their parents.
Hindi naman ako para makialam because kanya kanyang parenting yan. Parents know what’s best for their kids. Kung sinama man nila ang mga anak nila sa malls, I’m sure may valid reasons sila.
However, if you will ask me, ayaw ko pa dalahin si Anika inside malls where confined ang spaces. Nakakatakot pa kasi enclosed siya. But I already brought her 3 times to High Street at BGC. Open space kasi. Free flowing ang air.
She wore her face mask and face shield while going around. Last Friday, we went there with Isabel and Faye too. Medyo more than usual ang dami ng mga tao. The restaurants like Italianni’s, Clawdaddy, Fridays and the other coffee shops have set ups outside the restaurant for alfresco dining. Madaming kids (and pets) running around. The space is huge kaya hindi naman, like, napupuno. Well, hindi puno the 3 times we were there. One way ang lakaran on both sides para wag magsalubungan ang mga tao. There’s a parang mercato yata yun in the middle of the lawn near Jamba Juice. Hindi namin pinasok yun kasi parang kulob.
Umiwas kami nina Faye sa crowds. We ate at Fridays where social distancing was practiced and binuksan nila yung restaurant para magfree flow yung air sa loob. We bought dessert at St. Louis and then we ate it dun sa open area sa labas. Dun sa malalaking steps sa gitna. Wala kasing masyadong tao there. We also went to Fully Booked seeing na walang tao masyado inside. The kids stayed in the kids section where silang dalawa lang yung nandun. Todo alcohol din ako dun sa dalawang bata.
Last Monday, Alvin and I took Anika and Covi to High Street again and we had lunch there. Nastress ako kay Covi haha! He was able to get out of his leash twice! Yung isa, nasa gitna pa kami ng pedestrian while crossing the street. Nagka-umpugan pa kami ni Alvin sa taranta na hulihin siya kasi baka masagasaan. Nakakaloka si Covi! Havi was not like that before palibhasa sanay gumala sa labas. We should take Covi out more para hindi siya parang Tazmanian Devil when we bring him.
Anyway, people have been asking me in private messages if okay na ba lumabas ang kids. Saan daw allowed ang mga bata?
I read in the forums that there are malls allowing kids na. I didn’t take note which malls kasi hindi ako interesado pa dalahin si Anika there. In my personal opinion, I feel comfortable lang taking Anika out sa mga open air places lang like, yun nga, High Street (while avoiding crowds) and sa parks. As much as I am tempted to, I don’t like to bring her yet inside the malls. Feeling ko kasi hindi ganun ka-okay ang circulation ng air. Not unless siguro important like going to the dentist or doctor. Pero hindi na para magikot ikot pa sa mall. And when we go out, mabilisan lang. We don’t hang out that long sa labas unlike yung times before Covid. Nakakapagod din kasi ang stress ng pagiging vigilant eh. Di ba?
I am not encouraging you to bring out your kids. Hindi ko sinasabi na okay na ang lumabas kasama ang mga bata. It’s still up to you, parents. Alam niyo what’s best for your kids. Si Anika nilabas ko because she’s been coped up sa bahay for months now. Puros laptop, cellphone and iPad ang kaharap. Buti kako she has volleyball training twice a week at nakaka-galaw galaw siya for exercise. Pero we want her naman to enjoy being outdoors. Pwede naman kasi without taking her to malls. Alvin and I try to think of different places where we can take her. Basta open air and hindi ma-tao, ganern.
Do you have other suggestions where to bring the kids? Criteria is open air and hindi madami ang tao. Maraming mabibilihan ng food is a bonus too. Hehehe.