Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple weeks, you know that there’s going to be an eclipse tomorrow (Monday, August 21, 2017) in North America.
Here in CT, we will not achieve “totality.” The sun will be approximately 67% obscured at the height of the eclipse.
I get that this is a cool thing that doesn’t happen very often. I get that it’s an opportunity to teach my kids something about science and the sun and the moon and the Earth.
But you know what else I get?
I get that my kids are unpredictable.
And I don’t trust my kids.
I don’t trust them to not look directly at the sun.
I don’t trust them to keep special eclipse glasses on their eyes.
I don’t trust them to not dare each other to look directly at the sun.
And I don’t trust them to be mature enough to understand the very serious consequences of not following the directions during an eclipse.
So we are going to pass this time around.
There will be other opportunities for them to see an eclipse live and in person (and safely) when they are older.
Until then, we’re gonna save our retinas and catch the replay on TV.
Amy says
Thank you! Mine are 8, 10 & 12 and I thought I was the only one avoiding this for vision’s sake!! We went to a planetarium show on Sat to learn about it, but beyond that we’re watching replays 🙂
Tara says
The next eclipse you could see from where you live will be in 2079. A solar eclipse it’s a truly awesome event in one’s life. I’m grateful my parents didn’t steal it away from me because they couldn’t trust their 12 y.o. daughter.
not your average mom says
Actually there’s going to be one in 2024, and I’ll be closer to totality. So we’re good. I don’t think I “stole” anything from my kids. I know them. I’ll take intact vision over anything else. But good for you that you had that experience. Your parents obviously knew you, too.
Jeffa says
You beat me to it but yes. We have a better chance of seeing a cooler thing when our kids are older. Take your judgey train elsewhere. We are all doing the best we can to keep our kids healthy and safe and honestly its only cool to adults that get it.
Bobbie says
I just said this to my sister this morning. We aren’t going to even attempt. I have four ages five and under. If I say “don’t look at the sun” they will look. If I don’t say anything they will look anyways. I guess there will be a live feed on Facebook. Will get to it if i remember. I read somewhere next one is 2024. We will catch it then!
Sarah says
Kids thoroughly enjoyed the eclipse today and can still see! ☺️ Sorry your kids missed out. It was awesome!
not your average mom says
Glad you enjoyed it!