Social Distancing & toddlers!

[Sunshinesweet123]

As I was pregnant when the government briefings started we decided to pull my daughter (2 years old) out of nursery before lockdown and was social distancing from then which would be around 4 months now. My little girl hasn't had anyone to play with except me which isn't the same as actually playing with another child and I can see the difference in her because of it and she isn't dealing well with it and misses her friends and family. We have tried to social distance whilst meeting family but she doesn't understand and wont stay clear of people and you can see she genuinely feels rejected by those she loves. In this situation for the sake of everyone's mental health would you allow your child to play with friends children( who are also attending nursery at the moment) knowing two toddlers aren't able to social distance?

[Wewearpinkonwednesdays]

I would yes.

[LilyPond2]

As there seems to be a general consensus that people are less likely to get infected outdoors, I would say if you do decide to arrange a playdate, agree to make it outdoor play only.

[Raaaa]

Yeah I'm pregnant and my DD has been playing with her cousin

[SqidgeBum]

I am pregnant and have an 18 month old. We have accepted the risk of her seeing other kids and not social distancing. She needs to interact, and infection rates in our area are really low. Unfortunately this virus is going to be around for a while so we need to learn to accept some risk, especially when our kids need to interact with others their own age.

[jomaIone]

We decided the risk for my toddler of CV were totally outweighed by the benefits of letting her socialise. She is 27 months and knows not to hug, kiss or touch but she is around other toddlers (whose families feel the same as us!) And plays with them and there is sharing of toys too, usually just a ball. But the joy I see in her compared to the lonely and scared little girl of last month, makes the INCREDIBLY tiny miniscule risk of catching or passing on CV is completely worth it.

[Bol87]

I’m not socially distancing my 3 year old. She goes to nursery & they don’t there. If we see other children, they play. With other adults such as meeting with friends, we all agree to limit contact with other children but it’s ok for them to walk past or sit beside playing etc.. we just aren’t doing the usual hugs & kisses hello & goodbye etc. Adults are always 2m apart.

Socialisation is hugely important at this age. It’s part of their brain development. 3 months is long enough. The risk to children is tiny. And yes, I know they spread it but I wouldn’t take my daughter anywhere where other people are at risk (such as my shielding parents) or the adults were unhappy with not socially distancing. I assume if you’ve sent your kid back to nursery you accept the risk. Similarly if my child plays with yours.

Could you send your daughter back to nursery? Or are you still pregnant? I had a baby the week lockdown started .. it’s been reallll fun dealing with a toddler & newborn 😩 thankgod nursery is open again!

[89redballoons]

Most parents of toddlers that I know are not making their DC keep to social distancing, at least not with other toddlers.

I've got a baby and have had friends with toddlers round to my garden. Generally we've encouraged the toddlers to play 2m from me/the baby but haven't freaked out if they have occasionally broken that. However, when a toddler has come within 2m of us we have left it at least a week before seeing my mum, who is in the vulnerable group (but not shielding).

[BogRollBOGOF]

I'd be more worried about the harm of unnatural social interactions delaying development than the virus which now has a low presence in society and is very low risk to young children.

I had a child with speech delay at that age and nursery/ interactions were very important at getting him back up to appropriate development in time for school age. Most children should be fine and bounce back from a temporary disruptuon to theur lives, but some are less resiliant than others and the longer this drags on for, the more children will be hindered.

[Catastrofuck]

I would and have