Would I be a fool

[abc123def456789]

to let DS play out?
We live on the road facing the cul de sac where by all week there's been lots of children playing out.
There is only me and DS at home and he's starting to become sad seeing all the others play out.
He's 10 so understands that he is off school because theirs a pandemic and understands why his grandparents are stopping in but he's so lonely and doesn't understand why others are out and I'm keeping him in.

[pocketem]

Yes

[Justmuddlingalong]

Yes.

[bigchris]

If you're not shielding and not seeing anyome else I'd let him out half an hour a day

[Iooselipssinkships]

I wouldn't do it.

[DeRigueurMortis]

Its sad but because other families might be flouting the rules isn't a good reason for you to do it.

It sounds like you are lone parent and right now that's especially tough.

However it's even more important you follow the rules.

You allow him out, he plays with other kids eg picks up a football that's infected....

If you get ill how can you look after him?

I'm a volunteer (registered with our city council).

Our local hub is doing lots to support lone parents.

Have you asked for support?

It's not just shopping/pharmacy trips but locally we've also had donations of things like DVD's, laptops, iPads/tablets so families with limited resources can access online learning/entertainment etc

[WomanIsTaken]

Yes. There's a reason we're doing this. We should all pull together, it'll make it all a little easier to bear for those who do not have the luxury of choice.
DP is getting a bit twitchy and has just 'gone for a stroll' to accidentally on purpose bump into a mate. He finds an excuse to pop to the shop every other day when our weekly shop already meets all our needs. In the meantime, DC and I are dutifully staying home and our elderly shielded DMs are going loopy not being able to go out while conscientiously following guidance. I'm so mad at him!
In short, keep your DS in.

[abc123def456789]

BigChris, no not shielding so the two of us have been in about 5 weeks now.
Deriguermortis that is my worry of him going out and either him getting the virus and passing to me or one of the other children getting the virus and passing to their parent(s) and all the little group of children getting it. However he's so sad when he can hear and see them out.
He's talking to his school mates on his phone and playing on his xbox but says when he hears them outside he wants to go out and play football.

[Grobagsforever]

Can you trust him to keep 2m apart? I might let him if so. Our children are collateral damage in this lockdown 😢

[Spinakker]

I'd let him. Schools will have to go back eventually. Can you tell him to keep a distance and wash his hands thoroughly when he gets back in?

[abc123def456789]

Hi, I really don't know if he would keep 2m apart especially when the others aren't.
He's currently watching them again asking why I wont let him out!
Maybe if I do let him out then when he comes in it's straight into the shower and clothes into the machine.
I don't want to let him out when we are all suppose to be distancing but don't want another X weeks of him becoming sadder and then in turn me feeling like the worse mum ever!

[Quitthat]

It is so hard for kids to see others doing what they're not being allowed to do.

I'm telling myself repeatedly that there is a good reason mine are home and not playing out, and I'm telling them too. They're old enough to understand the pandemic, they're old enough to understand that there are rules, and they're old enough to understand that others break rules.

I don't want my kids growing up to think that they are above others, and that they can bend rules that are in place for the safety of others. I don't want them looking for reasons why they can be the exception to the rule, especially if the reason is "because I want to". We've talked about reasons why some people may need to not follow the guidelines (we live opposite a block of flat's which is home to a lot of adults living independently, but with mental health problems, so they're in and out all day, sitting out together in the street etc, so we've chatted about why they aren't following the new government rules), and that there area lots of people who are doing things to help others so they are going to the shops more often etc...


I don't necessarily want my kids growing up doing everything they are told with no questions asked, so I'm happy for them to ask questions, but I'm giving them the reasons why we're following the rules, because there is no unselfish reason for us not to.

It is hard though. Kids want to be out playing! We have arguments about it still, but they do get it, when they're not spoiling for a fight ;)