Those with young children who can't social distance, will you be meeting up?

[choc27]

So we can meet in groups of 6, potentially see the grandparents etc. I have a 4 year old who definitely will not be able to keep 2 metres away without constantly watching him and telling him to move back. Will you still be meeting up with others if you have a young child?

[PumpkinP]

Yep already have

[Earnsomething]

Mine are older but I was at a funeral yesterday, where people outside the officially invited (limited) mourners gathered along the route, 2m apart.

A few people had young children with them and it was striking, to me who hasn't seen any young children in ages, the way they were bouncing from one person to another. No one seemed concerned about it though, so I'd guess yes, their parents will be meeting other families.

TBF, I'm not sure that's the issue some people think it is. I read something published in the BMJ that said this "superspreader" thing is just not true and the risk to/from children is very small.

[TempsPerdu]

Yes, we have done already.

[RoosterPie]

Yes

[Changedforthisman]

Yes I will, they can’t stay isolated for ever.

[choc27]

And did you try to get them to keep. 2 m distance or just let them be?

[ChippityDoDa]

Yes, been doing it for weeks.

[ScarfLadysBag]

Yes, we have a friend and her little boy coming round to sit in the garden today. We adults we be SDing but we agreed it's impossible for the kids as they are only 16mo. We are both comfortable that the level of risk is very small given we have all been WFH and getting shopping delivered and the benefits outweigh it. This will be the first child my DD has interacted with in more than two months!

[SimonJT]

I have a four year old as well, later we’re meeting a friend and my sons going to see his Grandma for the first time since March. We have all been strict with isolating, we haven’t even been to shops as we have been able to get online deliveries. As a result my son will be allowed to hug his grandma and my friend without being an infection risk.

[10storeylovesong]

We have met with my mum on the park with ds7 and ds2. They both understand and kept 2 m apart. I reminded them a couple of times and then they just did it instinctively.

[SirSamuelVimesBlackboardMonito]

Yes. Already have. Will hopefully be able to do more now.

[Lucked]

If in a relatives garden could you not put some chairs and a table in the way. (I can’t remember if you are allowed into gardens yet in England.)

[SirSamuelVimesBlackboardMonito]

If in a relatives garden could you not put some chairs and a table in the way. (I can’t remember if you are allowed into gardens yet in England.)

How lovely for them. Wave at each other across the barricades, children! We can pretend it's Berlin before the wall came down!

[notalwaysalondoner]

We’ve had my cousins over with an 18 month old and it is possible to keep them away. Heartbreaking but possible. Some tips:

• physical barrier is the kindest way for the child to be honest. Make a barrier out of chairs or a fire guard before they come over
  
• make it a game: every time they go near the person, pick them up and swoop them away
  

But it’s up to you on the risk you think there is. If there’s no one vulnerable then you might all agree you don’t care.

[EyeDrops]

Not yet. We all (family incl. grandparents) agree it would be more upsetting to be near them but try to keep distance. My parents are both vulnerable due to health conditions so I don't want to chance it.

However, we have been pretty much isolating so I'm very tempted to just go for it before DD1 starts school on the 8th, and just let them hug as much as they want. I'm not sure yet.

[Enormouscroc]

I'm so tempted to let my nearly 3 year old hug my parents. We haven't seen them since March and prior to this they looked after my DD once a week, so she's v close to them and it would be difficult to tell her she can't. We've all been following the guidance to the letter so far. I don't respect this government's handling of the situation and have no confidence in their measures. The BMJ has an interesting opinion piece on children re spreading the virus and also the effects on children if they get it, which has given me some reassurance. My parents aren't in any vulnerable categories. Going to speak to my husband about it but I think I'm happy for her to see my parents without social distancing.

[Bol87]

I’m seeing my in-laws this weekend & I won’t be getting my 3 year old to socially distance (adults will be). If she can go back to nursery & cuddle her key worker, then she can give her grandparents a hug! Doing it this weekend before nursery starts again & we have more risk. We’ve followed the rules to the letter so far, as have my in-laws. The chances of either of us having it at are extremely low & none of us are vulnerable..

Weighed up the risk. Using my common sense. In-laws live 4 hours away and are making a day trip 😱 travelling very early morning & then home once DD has gone to bed!

[Opticabbage]

I'm glad someone else asks this. We've not seen any friends or family as I know my toddler will find keeping his distance difficult and most likely upsetting. He is at nursery though, so I feel more responsibility to keep contact minimal for nursery staff.

[SirSamuelVimesBlackboardMonito]

www.smh.com.au/world/europe/experts-fail-to-find-a-single-case-of-children-passing-virus-to-adults-20200430-p54ohi.html

Zero cases of children passing Corona to adults. Let kids play. Probably don't lick them/ each other. Wash hands regularly.

[stargirl1701]

Yes. I'm in Scotland. The advice for schools is that it is inappropriate to ask young children to practise social distancing. I'm happy for my DC to play with other DC.

My DC are playing with another family's DC right now. As I understand things, 1 household may mix with 1 other household outdoors. Adults, teens and older children should stay 2m from each other.

We will not be meeting the DGPs though. The risk for them is too high.

[savehalloween]

Yes. I will also be resuming the childcare setup I had with my mum as I need to go back to work.

I don't see how it's any different from her hugging a nursery keyworker, in fact it's less "risky" given it's 1:1 only

[Drivingdownthe101]

Yes. My 6 and 4 year olds can socially distance but my 16 month old (obviously) can’t. We will still be meeting.

[howlatthetrees]

Yes

[MrsJonesAndMe]

Yes we have already. It's impossible to police, the risks is small and the benefits for them are huge.

[MrsJonesAndMe]

I must clarify that we're not meeting with elderly or medically vulnerable and only one family outside for the children to socialise, twice in the last week since the "meet one person in a public place came in"

One of my children isn't old enough to meet a friend on their own, but has the same needs for social contact with peers as the one who can meet one on one on their own.