How often have you been leaving the house?

[firebirds]

Not a TAAT but inspired by another one!

How often have you been going out of the house over the past few weeks? And what's your situation wrt schooling / kids / work etc?

I work pt and have young kids (youngest is a baby, eldest mid-primary) and we go out every day otherwise I'd LOSE IT. Having thought about this, I realise that with the ice, DH isn't getting out for his usual morning cycles and so has spent all day every day Mon - Fri in the house for the last 2 weeks.

[MrsBerthaRochester]

Twice a week. Once for weekly shop and once for top up and just out to get some fresh air. Haven't seen my family in 18 months and my best friend in 6 months.

[Bonkerz]

I work from home. Until this week I hadn't left my street since Dec 22nd 2020.
My mental health has gone down the pan.
Biggest issue though was my car died a dramatic death because I didn't know if taking it for a drive was an essential thing.
It got full of water in the electrics from being sat on the drive despite being started daily.
It's ended up costing me a fortune financially and emotionally to sort it.
I have a new car now as of 12th feb and decided a daily drive of 10 miles is essential to me, my mental health and my car.
Having 2 autistic children and not being able to attend appointments due to no car and also had to cancel 2 x rays for myself it's not good.

[IToldYouIWasFreaky]

WFH with a 13 year old homeschooling. I'm going for a walk every day, regardless of weather, at least a 15min round the block, longer at weekends. I could easily go for days without leaving the house, especially when the weather is grim but I feel so much better for a bit of daily exercise and I also drag DS with me.

I'm picking up a click and collect from Tesco weekly and dropping mum's share round to her. She lives alone and is in our bubble so I might also drop round there a couple of times in the week to help her with something or just for a chat. Apart from the Tesco order, I'm trying to avoid shopping but might have to go to the chemist, or do a top up if we run out of something essential.

[SmidgenofaPigeon]

I’m not sure how definitively a two and a four year old can decide they ‘don’t want’ to leave the house. Unless you have acres of outdoor space it’s day healthier for them to get out and about at least for a chance of scenery, not to a shop but a park/walk at least. It’s the parent’s job to decide for them! They’re probably just saying what they think you want to hear, they have no idea that it’ll do them good to get out, so you make the choice for them.

[longtompot]

Twice a day to walk the dog, and an extra couple of times a week to get food.

[Wtfdidwedo]

@SmidgenofaPigeon

I’m not sure how definitively a two and a four year old can decide they ‘don’t want’ to leave the house. Unless you have acres of outdoor space it’s day healthier for them to get out and about at least for a chance of scenery, not to a shop but a park/walk at least. It’s the parent’s job to decide for them! They’re probably just saying what they think you want to hear, they have no idea that it’ll do them good to get out, so you make the choice for them.

Well I ask if they want to go for a walk along the river and they say no, we go there all the time, can't we go somewhere else etc to which I have to say no sorry, we're not allowed! They're at nursery/childminder four days a week so are getting out then. We have a small garden they play in at the weekend but the past month has been too cold to even use that for long.

[zigaziga]

Every other day or so I guess. One child wants to go out more, one fights it and fights weather appropriate clothing so we sort of compromise.
If it’s too cold for the playground we’ll go out to the bakery to get cakes or something to stretch our legs.
Playground I would say weekly, sometimes more. It’s usually quite busy which is lovely and lets the children come into contact with other children and for me to feel a bit more human.

I don’t think there is really anything but downside to staying inside so much but... it’s warmer and the longer this goes on the lazier and lazier I get.

DH has worked outside the house throughout.

[MondeoFan]

Everyday as have a dog. Food shopping once a week. Home bargains type shop for toiletries etc every fortnight
That's about it. Not seen anyone. No FaceTime, socially distanced chats etc. Nothing

[SmidgenofaPigeon]

@Wtfdidwedo fair enough! I would probably just march them out regardless of any protestations but I’m a nanny with no children of my own and there have been SO many days I would rather not (having obviously been out and about getting to work myself) but it’s not good for them, they bounce of the walls come late afternoon, so unless one of them has a leg falling off, they are going out. No garden option though.

[Theotherrudolph]

Daily - school runs for the oldest (in school due to SEN) and daily cycle, scoot or outdoor play for my youngest. Then a couple of supermarket trips a week.

[Shmithecat2]

SAHM. 1 DS. I leave the house twice a week usually, grocery shopping and sometimes a dash to Pets At Home for cat supplies.

[Springersrock]

Every day. At least twice and during the week 3 times a day.

I combine as many things into one trip where I can, but we have horses that I have to see to twice a day, every day, I have to go to work, and walk the dog.

Supermarket shop once a week, once a fortnight to the feed store for horse and pet food/bedding. DD2 has 3 medical appointments this week.

[RubyWooRed]

@Shmithecat2

SAHM. 1 DS. I leave the house twice a week usually, grocery shopping and sometimes a dash to Pets At Home for cat supplies.

Do you take your DC with you?

[Sheleg]

I have to leave the house once a day otherwise my mental health dips. Twice a day is optimum.

[RatherBeRiding]

Multiple times every single day. I have horses to see to twice a day every day, plus dogs to walk, and I have been working throughout as my work is classed as essential and not possible to work from home. Plus I have to shop. To be honest, apart from seeing friends/family my daily routine has changed very little.

[OverTheRainbow88]

It’s really worrying how may adults and kids aren’t going out every day!

[JemimaMuddledUp]

I'm WFH and shielding, with 3 teenagers learning at home.

I try to go out for a walk once a day, usually for between 30-60 minutes. It depends on the weather though - if it is raining or hailing I'm less motivated.

I don't go into shops etc, so my daily walk is the only time that I leave the house.

I did go out for the vaccine last week which was most exciting - I haven't really been inside anywhere other than my house for 11 months!

[FredUpNow]

WFH. Older kids. Once every couple of days for a walk . Haven't been to a supermarket in a fortnight due to baddish weather and others offering to go.

Feel like I don't want to go out any more which scares me a bit.

[RubyWooRed]

@OverTheRainbow88

It’s really worrying how may adults and kids aren’t going out every day!

I find it worrying too
The thought of kids being stuck indoors for days on end is horrible.

[FredUpNow]

My teen has just refused (again) to ever meet up with friends for a walk. They don't live near enough apparently.

[FredUpNow]

The messaging has been too successful.

I go out with a friend when she can make it and I do feel we get glared at now..like we should not be out "just chatting."
The day after seeing her I feel saner.

[TwirpingBird]

@OverTheRainbow88

It’s really worrying how may adults and kids aren’t going out every day!

I agree. My neighbours have left the house 5 times since January. They have a 5 year old and a baby. They have told the 5 year old that everyone in the playgrounds are 'naughty' because they 'arent allowed to be in there' just so she wont ask to go in. They used to be the most outgoing, social people. Its scary.

[TwirpingBird]

^ as in 5 times since the start of January.

[SmidgenofaPigeon]

Agree, I think it’s awful when adults decide for their children that they won’t be going out, or going out very rarely. If it’s just you then fair enough, do whatever you want (even though I think it’s damaging in terms of mental health) but if you’ve got kids, don’t put them under house arrest too.

[PompomDahlia]

Most days, just for a walk. I go outside of lunchtimes and go round residential streets rather than local parks so less joggers/kids. I’ve not been into the shops since last November due to home deliveries and meal planning. I suffer with depression and getting out for activity is a game changer, especially if the sun is out. I don’t have a garden so need to walk outside to get fresh air