Parker's Pandemic - Leslie Ostronic

Parker surveys the neighborhood from her Dad’s home on Friday, April 3, 2020. Due to social distancing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, she is not allowed to play outside with the other neighborhood children.

Parker surveys the neighborhood from the home of her father, PJ Ostronic, on Friday, April 3, 2020. During the nationwide lockdown Parker was not allowed to play outside with the other neighborhood children.

COVID-19 brought me home to my parents and four younger siblings in Lawrence, Kansas. As I live through the pandemic as a college student, I have found relief in documenting my 8-year-old little sister, Parker Ostronic, and her experience with the pandemic.

The terms "pandemic" and "COVID-19" are not in Parker’s vocabulary, but she is well aware of the term “coronavirus”. She says that coronavirus is what caused home-schooling, which she hates, and therefore, she hates coronavirus. According to her, COVID-19 is “stupid” and “should not exist.”

In spring 2020, Parker completed first grade at Corpus Christi Catholic School. In fall 2020, her school resumed in-person classes with masks required. Never, has Parker complained about wearing a mask. “Everyone knows how to wear a mask. Everyone knows how to wear it correctly,” Parker says, “It is like a hat. It is impossible for people not to put it on right. People just do it to be silly and it costs them their life sometimes.”

The COVID-19 regulation has resulted in a dramatic increase of screen time for Parker; The majority of her day is divided between an iPad, Nintendo Switch, and TV. When not entertained by technology, she ventures outside, plays safely with neighbors or joins family members’ activities.

Despite this time of global uncertainty and social distancing, her imagination and energy has been resolute. My silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic is having the opportunity to watch and participate in more of her childhood.

Parker yawns while watching her teacher's daily video with her mother, Laurie Ostronic, on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. In Spring 2020, Parker attended 1st grade at Corpus Christi Catholic School. Parker completed the last two months of her 1st grade educatio

Parker yawns while watching her teacher's daily video with her mother, Laurie Ostronic, on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. Parker completed the last two months of 1st grade online due to COVID-19. In anticipation for Easter, the video included opening a "Resurrection Egg" and Bible story.

Ben Jaquay, 7, top, gestures to Parker, left, to grab a tool that will aid their game while Owen Jaquay, 4, watches through a hole in the fence on Friday, April 10, 2020. Ben, the next-door neighbor, is one of Parker’s closest friends. During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, they were restricted to playing through the backyard fence but continued to fantasize monsters and tasks to complete.

Parker, left, participates in playful wrestling with her mother, Laurie Ostronic, and older sister, Brecken Ostronic, 14, right, on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. The stay-at-home order increased the Ostronic household’s family time tremendously. Before the pandemic, the entire family was rarely home together due to the abundance of sports and activities of the five children.

An unexpected, family FaceTime call on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, between Parker, Dad, Dallas and Dominic, 16, top to bottom, and myself. Parker took advantage of the call to fill her smile with oranges and show-off her new backpack. For two weeks in August,

An unexpected, family FaceTime call on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, between Parker, PJ, Dallas and Dominic Ostronic, 16, top to bottom, and myself. Parker shared her smile full of oranges and new backpack. For two weeks in August, the family was in quarantine because five of the seven members tested positive, including Parker. She showed no symptoms.

Parker relaxes in favorite spot in her room at her Dad’s house on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. “I like to relax there,” she says, “It is a good spot to play games.”

Parker relaxes in her favorite spot in her room at her dad’s house on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. “I like to relax there,” she says, “It is a good spot to play games.”

Parker reviews her school planner after school on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. It is a record of what she does in her classes each day. Her classes are science, social studies, math, religion, and English. Her favorite class is math because it comes easiest t

Parker reviews her school planner after school on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. It is a record of what she does in her classes each day. Parker’s favorite part of her day is getting home from school because she gets to take her “stupid” mask off and play on her Ipad.

Parker makes “raptor” noises at her Dad, PJ Ostronic, after he helped her take a bath on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. PJ responded with his own noises shortly after, the competition lasting many rounds. “He is the worst at raptor noises,” says Parker, “I am t

Parker makes “raptor” noises at her dad, PJ, after he helped her take a bath on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. PJ responded with his own noises shortly after, the competition lasting many rounds. “He is the worst at raptor noises,” says Parker, “I am the best.”

Parker watches Captain Underpants on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. During the stay-at-home order, Parker rarely wore a shirt. According to her, there is no point in wearing one to stay home all day.

Parker leaves her Dad's house to ride her scooter on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. On the TV inside, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper discusses COVID-19. The Ostronics' TV streams news channels for most of the day in hopes of new information regarding COVID-19.

Parker, left, and her neighborhood best friend, Zabi Borjas, 7, play video games on their Nintendo Switches on July 2, 2020. Zabi’s mother, Sarah Borjas, required the two friends to wear masks while playing because she manages an in-home daycare. The chil

Parker and her neighborhood best friend, Zabi Borjas, 7, play video games on their Nintendo Switches on July 2, 2020. Zabi’s mother, Sarah Borjas, required the two friends to wear masks while playing because she manages an in-home daycare. The children did not let the masks stop them from playing nearly every day.

PJ Ostronic, left, finishes mowing the yard as his daughter, Parker, rolls around in the yard, fantasizing and daydreaming, on Tuesday, April 7, 2020. When exploring outside alone, she is typically talking outloud to herself. Her imagination fuels her through the pandemic’s restrictions on socializing.

Parker displays her two swords on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. She explains that she has two swords because her friend, Marley, 9, left one there so they would be able to play together when Marley comes over.

Parker yells in triumph on Thursday, Nov.12, 2020. Her admirable spirit inspires our family immensely. The pandemic has made the feeling of victory rare for many, but Parker still finds a way to win every day.