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Original poster

Are you letting your teens out to meet a friend?

56 replies

perhapstomorrow · 16/05/2020 11:19

Just wandering if I'm alone in not letting my teens meet up with one friend in the park now that the lockdown rules have been relaxed. I worry that they'll end up congregating with all their friends and being less than 2m apart or even going off to one of their houses when they get bored. Not helped by my DD's Instagram being splattered with pictures of her friends meeting up.

OP posts:
Campervan69 · 16/05/2020 11:21

Yes. One is meeting his girlfriend and walking her dog together. One is going for a bike ride with one close friend. I know they are sensible lads.

earlydoors42 · 16/05/2020 11:22

Yes, 1 friend with 2 metre distancing. They are both sensible and follow all rules.

NuffSaidSam · 16/05/2020 11:23

Yes, but supervised/organised. I wouldn't let them if I thought they'd break the rules and meet with more than one friend/go to a house etc.

Starbonnet123 · 16/05/2020 11:25

Yes , my 17 year old met her friend to walk our dogs then came back to ours and sat in the garden and had a coffee together. They kept 2m apart at all times and were proud of themselves for doing so .

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 16/05/2020 11:27

In your Situation I'd have a stern conversation about the rules, allow them to go and then go and check without them knowing. I know some people would disapprove of that but this is such a serious situation it warrants it IMO. Then ground them if they are in a bigger group or not where they've told you they'd be.

Mascotte · 16/05/2020 11:28

I would without a doubt.

fishonabicycle · 16/05/2020 11:29

Yup. Mine is 19, very sensible and has been to see a couple of friends.

Florabella · 16/05/2020 11:29

Yes, 13yr old with sensible friends. We all trust them to social distance and not meet in groups.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 16/05/2020 11:30

Yes. My Dd has been meeting a friend and going for a walk.

Comefromaway · 16/05/2020 11:32

Yes. Ds asked if he could and I agreed. The positive effect on his mental health was worth it. I drove past them and they were observing the distance.

Hoppinggreen · 16/05/2020 11:33

not up until now but 15 year old DD and her bestie are meeting in the park opposite our house this weekend. they've both had a big lecture and I've warned her that if I see them breaking the rules it wont happen again

Comefromaway · 16/05/2020 11:33

He is terrified about catching Covid so I knew he would adhere to the distance.

Clemmieandareallybigbunfight · 16/05/2020 11:34

Yes. And they will be sitting in our garden later for a chat as has dd2's boyfriend. Repeatedly.

VioletCharlotte · 16/05/2020 11:35

Yes, mine has been meeting up with a friend to go for a walk and is going for a bike ride today. He's 18 though, I not sure I would have done when he was 14/15 as he had a lot less sense then!!

MamaGee09 · 16/05/2020 11:36

Neither my 18 or 16 yr old have met up with friends.

From what I’ve seen from where I live, teenagers CAN’T socially distance. They may tell you they are doing it but there is no chance they are. They hang about in huddles at our local shops and in the park.

We are in Scotland and lockdown is still on.

Heismyopendoor · 16/05/2020 11:36

I’m in Scotland, so nope.

ImaginaryCat · 16/05/2020 11:36

Yes, and in fact have been letting them meet as a threesome. They are a group of 3 best friends, so it's asking for trouble to tell them to pick a favourite. But to avoid judgement from others I moved the cars forward on our drive and they sit behind them, a car width apart, and chat.

feelingdizzy · 16/05/2020 11:39

I'm in Scotland so no,but it's the first thing we will when we can.DS is 17 and wants to meet up with his best friend dd the same.She is 18 so an adult so the decision is hers. Cant wait.

PuppyMonkey · 16/05/2020 11:41

Yes, I have a very trustworthy and sensible 14 yo who met her friend and went for a walk yesterday. My sensible and trustworthy 13 yo is also arranging a similar meeting with her friend next week. Not worried about this in the slightest tbh, and I’m generally more in the “stay at home” brigade really.

MrsM36 · 16/05/2020 11:43

My 14 year old daughter met up with her best friend for the 1st time yesterday. Her best friend is currently walking her neighbour's dog for them so invited my daughter to join her on a walk. My daughter wanted to go but was quite anxious... I said to her as long as she was sensible and followed the social distancing as she has done when she has been out for walks with me then there would be no issue. I know that her best friend's parents gave the same advice and they had a lovely time just being able to chat as they walked. Obviously both myself & my daughter's best friend's parents are lucky that we have sensible girls who understand how serious things are at the moment & are happy to adhere to social distancing if it means they can see each other.

InMySpareTime · 16/05/2020 11:51

I would allow mine to, but they don't want to! They're happy chatting online and playing XBox. DD has health anxiety so would rather avoid contagion, DS is just happy in his own company.

hippohector · 16/05/2020 11:52

From what I’ve seen from where I live, teenagers CAN’T socially distance. They may tell you they are doing it but there is no chance they are. They hang about in huddles at our local shops and in the park
This ^

Near where I live there are continuous groups of teens hanging around in parks and on street corners, mostly on bikes. It’s mainly 15-19 year olds.
I’m sure their parents think they are only meeting ‘one friend’ but clearly once they are out of the house they don’t adhere to the rules.
Not sure what the answer is to be honest. No respectable teen wants to be the one to say no when all their mates are doing it.

MrsJBaptiste · 16/05/2020 11:58

My two have noth been to the park with one friend each. However I know that the eldest did bum into another pair if friends and I hope they socially distanced - I haven't stayed in the house shielding for 8 weeks for them to get close!

Original poster
perhapstomorrow · 16/05/2020 12:00

I think what doesn't help is that although my DD's know how serious it is, I think some of their friends are a bit more relaxed about the whole thing and would want to meet up with other friends.

OP posts:
ExpletiveDelighted · 16/05/2020 12:02

One of mine has, the other hasn't yet but is allowed to. The one that has I've been able to see from the window and they have stayed properly distant. Neither of them has ever really hung out around town in groups though, always tended to just go out with one friend at a time.

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