Children need support. Governor Brad Little has restricted parents, guardians, siblings and other family members from supporting kids in their sporting events and other extracurricular activities. We, as parents have the sole responsibility for the care, wellbeing, and upbringing of our children. Part of that care is emotional support and encouragement as well as physical support in the event of injury or emergency. By disallowing the presence of parents at all "away" sporting events and activities, our children do not have emotional or physical support from those who are primarily responsible for them in places which are, in many cases, far from home. These are our children and they have had parental support their entire lives. Removing a parents ability to support their children is wrong and hurtful to families- both to the parents as well as the children. This is an attack on families and the development of bonds within the family unit. This surely cannot be good for the emotional wellbeing of kids.

In addition to removing familial support from our children, the inconsistency in the decisions made regarding where we can and cannot go is maddening. We can go to school, church, movies, busy stores, and even bars and be "trusted" to social distance in those places, but we aren't allowed to do the same within an entire gymnasium or auditorium to support our children? When did the 6 foot rule combined with mask-wearing become ineffective? Is that protocol only effective in places outside of school gyms and auditoriums? The governor of Idaho has overstepped his bounds by not only restricting parents' rights, but also restricting our freedom to make choices for ourselves.

If more than 10 people are allowed in one place, it should be allowed in all places- especially in regards to our kids. These are our minor children who want and need our love, support and encouragement. The inconsistency of Governor Little's decisions regarding restrictions that have been placed upon us diminishes our confidence in him and his recommendations.

Only allowing one parent at home games/activities also makes no sense. If we live in the same household, why aren't two parents and siblings allowed to sit together and remain six feet from the next family? Or two parents sit together 6 feet from the other parents? What good does it do to keep one parent from watching and supporting their child while sitting next to their spouse or someone from the same household? For instance, there is plenty of room in high school gyms to stay 6 feet away from others in pairs while watching a basketball game. And there is plenty of room to do that for both teams on opposite sides of the gym.

As parents, we ask that Governor Little allow us and our families to be in attendance to support our children's activities. This should never have been in question in the United States of America. The fact that we even have to ask permission to support our children goes against everything the word "freedom" stands for.

This petition will be presented to Governor Brad Little. If you would like to contact us, please email: contactSOSnow@yahoo.com