I'm not going to be 'that' mum

[Skybooks]

DS is in reception (just over a week so far so early days)
Was catching up on tapestry of activities he has been up too and I see there was a welcome activity where they all went around and introduced themselves and shook hands. Now I know they are close and in a bubble but I'm.not sure hand shaking should be taught as a greeting right now.

I'm not going to raise it bit want to know if I'm being crazy paranoid.

IABU - ITS A STANDARD GREETING
IANBU - ITS A FUCKING PANDEMIC

[LittleBearPad]

YABU. They’re in reception. They’ll practically be licking one another before long.

[sticksandstone]

YANBU

[Skybooks]

@LittleBearPad

YABU. They’re in reception. They’ll practically be licking one another before long.

As above not fussed about the contact just think it's an outdated greeting to teach.

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

Is there an option for “shaking hands is a formal greeting for grown ups so is weird thing to get children to do, pandemic or no”?

[lazylinguist]

Honestly- it won't make any difference if they shake hands. They'll be in close contact constantly anyway.

[Aragog]

We wouldn't do it right now at my school BUT the reality is that children at primary school, especially reception and infants, social distancing isn't expected or required at all.

[Skybooks]

@lazylinguist

Honestly- it won't make any difference if they shake hands. They'll be in close contact constantly anyway.

Again not the contact I'm worried about

[Skybooks]

Just to clarify it's the teaching of handshaking in questioning not the contact of the children.

[Readandwalk]

Handshakes are a standard sign of respect. What's your problem with it. Are you in a culture were it's an insult?

[Elsewyre]

So if you're not fussed about the contact why are you framing this as pandemic related?


Its hardly outdated thousands of years of cultural history isnt going away because of a temporary situation.


Plagues come and go but people still shake hands


Is this more you dont like hand shaking and just want it to go away?

[ANoTail]

So, in your OP, it's not okay to shake hands because "WE'RE IN A FUCKING PANDEMIC" but by post 2, it's just a bit outdated?
Well, they've done it once. It's hardly being drilled into them, is it? Pandemic aside, I think there's much worse things to instill in young children than polite methods of greeting. Not necessary for 5 year olds, no, but ultimately harmless.

[Elsewyre]

@Skybooks

Just to clarify it's the teaching of handshaking in questioning not the contact of the children.

Then why the "it's a fucking pandemic"?

[HOkieCOkie]

It’s not outdated it’s just on hold.

[Heronwatcher]

You’re being U in both respects. As you say no increase in Covid risk. And in a professional job, pre-Covid, I shook hands all the time as a respectful greeting. To my knowledge still very common in normal times.

[Skybooks]

Just spending alot of time at work with adults trying hard to forget the culture and muscle memory of hand shaking, seemed an odd thing to be teaching children during a pandemic where they might want to use what they have learnt outside of school.

To answer no I dont find hand shaking offensive, didnt realise anyone did.

The fucking pandemic comment was tongue in cheek

[Thepilotlightsgoneout]

Handshaking is not outdated.

[RainorShine40]

I get your point - don't be teaching children to touch each other especially in a pandemic. But we won't always be in a pandemic but hand shaking is an age old greeting. So YABU.

[Ginger1982]

People usually shake hands at interviews and meetings in the professional world etc. Do you not agree with that?

[Growuppeople]

Let’s all high five! Or that weird elbow thing? Handshakes are not out of date 😂

[Pickagoddamnname]

YABU I was thrilled that tig is a regular in PE still. They’re kids and need to be treated that way even in a pandemic so their social skills aren’t stunted. 12+ months of not touching anyone at that age is just weird and going to cause issues later on

[Florrieboo]

It is so outdated. I doubt my 8 or 11 year olds even know how to shake hands. It isn't something kids ever need to do and as their generation grows up it won't be anything anyone does.

[LittleBearPad]

So you’re antsy about the handshaking because it’s outdated?

It’s not outdated at all.

[Whatcan]

YANBU

[JKRowlingIsMyQueen]

AIBU. I saw someone comment that two boys in schools have gotten into trouble because they hugged. I don't want to live in a world where kids are discouraged from hugging and being affectionate. I know op's post is about hand shaking but they're kids so they will most likely be on top of each other while playing etc.

[Fruitsaladjelly]

He has been there a week or so....trust me, pick your battles