My 4-year-old crowned herself ‘Little Miss Social Distance.’ So I ran with it and held a parade.
"She's taking her title very seriously," said Bridgewater mother Stacy Clougherty.
Coronavirus is affecting everyday life — even for those who have not been infected. We are sharing stories of its impact on local people. To share your own, please submit this form or email us at [email protected]. This story was told by Stacy Clougherty from Bridgewater, Mass., and has been transcribed and edited from a conversation with Madelaine Millar.My name is Stacy Clougherty, and last week my daughter Morgan, my son William, and I held the first annual (and hopefully only) “Social Distance” parade, complete with a beauty queen wearing a crown, balloons, and candy throwing. It was so fun — and sad — to see my friends and family.Morgan is four, and William is one. Morgan must have heard from the TV or someone say the words “social distance,” because she said “Hey, I’m Miss Social Distance!” She’s taking her title very seriously. I decided to run with it.
Morgan Clougherty as “Little Miss Social Distance.”
We had ten stops including my almost 98-year-old grandmother, my sister, my mom, and some of my best friends. A few of the folks we texted ahead, and others we just beeped really loudly and surprised them. Morgan was dressed up and strapped in, and we honked the horn and put the balloons out the sunroof of the car. I also used gloves to pack and throw leftover candy canes and Valentine’s Day candy, Hershey kisses, glow sticks.
The kids were loving it, but it was actually funniest, I think, to see the adults and their reaction to the parade. A couple of people said it felt like a real parade, which was so cute. We’re trying to make everyday moments a little bit more fun. The kids are so resilient.
In trying to parent while social distancing, I’ve learned the value of over-communicating with your partner, if you have a partner, and of setting a schedule the night before going over who absolutely needs to be doing work at what time. I’m fortunate that my boss is very flexible, so I can log off for a couple hours during the day if needed and finish my work up at night. I also have a lot of lists going on, for [when] my daughter comes to me and says she’s bored. Sometimes when you’re busy, you look around and you’re like, “there’s a thousand toys, go play!” But giving her specific instructions to go make a puzzle or read a book, I think that has been helpful.
The faster that everybody listens and stays home, the faster this will be over with. Please stay home. If not for yourself, think about the other people like my 98-year-old grandmother. Just stay home and be smart.
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