parenting

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Dear Jack: You are Now 9 and a Half Years Old

9 years, 6 months.

Dear Jack,

You turned 9 and a half this week, during the time which was supposed to be your last week of 3rd grade.

It was sad yesterday as I drove to your school to pick up all your belongings from your teachers. The closest thing to closure you had for finishing 3rd grade was some Zoom calls with your class.

The tragedy is that, as I predicted last fall, 3rd grade would be your favorite by far. It is unfortunate it had to be cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But we still have each other and we still have our health. And we continue to still make life fun!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Since You Didn’t Get to Have Your Double Birthday Party with Isabella…

4 years old.

Dear Holly,

We had much bigger plans for your recent 4th birthday. But like many things this year due to COVID-19, as it is for everyone else, we had to majorly alter what we originally had in mind.

The original plan was to have a double birthday party with your friend Isabella from your class at school, since the two of you were born just 6 days apart.

We bought you matching unicorn dresses and even had a pony ride lined up.

But instead, you got to spend some time with Isabella long enough for the two of you to play together in your dresses- and to exchange gifts.

You are so happy about the bath time Barbie she got you. Not only do you bath with it, but you also sleep with it.

Technically, this is your first Barbie doll, at age 4, since you don’t perceive your Elsa or Anna dolls as Barbies; even though they are.

Here’s to hoping that next year for your 5th birthday, we can have the kind of birthday party we had planned for you this year!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: A Father’s Letter to His Daughter on Her 4th Birthday

4 years old today!

Dear Holly,

I have to say: You’ve been wanting to turn 4 years old for a long time now… I’d say for about a year, actually!

Your day has finally come: Today is your 4th birthday!

This is your COVID-19 birthday, but you will never remember that part of it- other than the fact that for some reason, both Mommy and Daddy stayed at home with you on that birthday.

It is obvious how I am so proud to be your Daddy. I am so glad that all of the little girls in the world, I get to have you, my little “Squeaky”, as my daughter.

I love you Holly!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You Tamed a Pet Snake? Of Course You Did!

9 years, 5 months.

Dear Jack,

At no point in my boyhood, nor in my adulthood, have I ever thought to A) look for a snake in the woods, B) find one, C) hand tame it, and D) proceed to keep it as a temporary pet.

Needless to say, that is exactly what you have done this week.

Granted, I looked it up immediately to ensure it is not poisonous to humans; which it is not.

It’s a garter snake.

And all because 3rd grade ended early due to COVID-19.

Otherwise, you’d be in math class right about now.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Is Your Generation Going to Be Called “Covid-19 Kids”?

9 years, 4 months.

Dear Jack,

In theory, you are going back to school at the end of this month to finish out the 3rd grade. I have my doubts about that. I have seen so many events delayed, and then delayed several more times since this all started with COVID-19.

You are definitely old enough to understand what is going on and old enough to remember it for the rest of your life. I feel that your generation is going to be bookmarked by living through the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

However, you seem to be taking it pretty well. Actually, you’re living it up: Everyday is a Saturday for you now!

Love,

Daddy