My child wont go outside

[NellMangel]

He is 5. We have a nice garden with trampoline and an assortment of outdoor toys. The sun is shining. Nope not going out.

The neighbours kids have played out all day. Having great squealy fun.

He says he is too tired but seems fine. I'm worried he is overthinking the corona threat. Or maybe he is shy of new neighbours. Or maybe he's basically me, I spent entire holidays in my room!!

Anyone else have this? Do you just accept or chivvy them outside?

Have you tried going outside with him and engaging him in a game or activity? DD always prefers it if I'm outside too even if I'm just doing my own thing.

Are you out there as well?

If you're inside then it makes sense that he will want to be where you are.

Have you been outside and asked him to join you?

I presume you're removing the option of TV on screens instead?

Yes I sat out. Tried to start various games.

Turned off telly. Still indoors.

If all the screens are off what's he doing inside? And could that activity / toy be moved outside?

I hate to say it but there was an article about primary school aged child not wanting to leave the house in the daily fail. My two are older but haven't ventured beyond the drive in weeks. It is worrying

Has he been out at all since this started? Have you tried taking him for a walk? My 5 year old has been really anxious about the virus but once I convinced her to get outside into the fresh air for a walk with me it helped immensely. Now I've been taking her for a walk each day and there has been a big positive change in her mood. She was/is showing other signs of being anxious and down though, it wasn't just that she wouldn't go outside.

Is he usually like that OP or is this new?

My 7 year old is happy to go out the garden with me but is refusing to go out for walks unless I put my foot down and don't give an option not too.

We have this in classrooms in primary, always asking can they do some jobs that mean they stay inside. We tell them no, and to get out in the fresh air!

I would prepare a nice snack to eat outside and entice him out, tell him he has to spend 10 minutes outside every day. In KS1 they have 2 playtimes, one around 10.30 and the other around 2pm.

He’s 5. What happens if you tell him he has to go outside?

My DD is also 5 and was doing exactly the same thing. She is usually a child who loves to run and climb but refused to go out. We talked and she eventually was able to voice that she was "scared of the bug". Her school had discussed with the class prior to closure and she's aware of what is going on. She had thought that even the garden was a risk. After I had explained she's been a little more willing to go.

Hmm so the neighbours went in for tea and he swiftly trotted out. I guess its shyness. Will have to come up with a plan...

I've got an indoorchild and an outdoor child. Indoor child doesn't bat an.eyelid at cub camp and bike rides, but gets bored in.the garden. Outdoor child lives on.the trampoline from march to November. I try and make ic get out everyday, but he moans the whole time. I.was.an.indoor child; books and Barbie were way more exciting than the garden.

I feel that I'm always forcing him to do stuff. He is reluctant to try things that you assume kids enjoy. Parties are a nightmare, with me dragging him in.

I never thought our garden on a sunny day would be an issue though.

Does he normally play outside? I’m wondering what the hell people are telling their kids for them to be behaving this way. I know the news is everywhere about Coronavirus, so it’s hard to control what they’re exposed to. But they take their cues from their parents. My 11 and 8 year olds know all ins and outs of corona virus, but they don’t live in fear. I’ve got their friends mums on my Facebook and have seen posts about how some of their children spend all day crying, terrified, refusing to go in the garden. I saw a horrifying post today by a mum I know looking for recommendations for hand creams. Her 8 year old child who hasn’t left the house since this started has washed her hands obsessively until they bled. Madness

I have to tempt my DD outside with a picnic. Has to have sandwiches forming a shape. I currently cut them as bunny ears and use fruit and veg for the face. Once outside shes fine though. Happy pottering indoors most of the time.

I think I've been pretty clear and non alarmist @Herpesfreesince03. As mentioned above it seems to be that he is shy around my neighbours. We've never had kids next door.