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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - I've said to the DD's they can only go for a walk with a parent present

57 replies

mbosnz · 27/03/2020 12:38

I'm officially the worst parent EVAH. But when they came with me for a walk yesterday, they were being complete and utter twats about social distancing, not taking care to stay 2m away from other people. It was so frustrating, they're smart kids, but really not getting just how dangerous this is, how they might be fine, but they could be carriers and give it to us and other people.

OP posts:
Mrsfrumble · 27/03/2020 13:21

Ahhh, Devlesko bless you for admitting your mistake. (Too much aggressive doubling-down on here at the moment)
Enjoy your family walk!

Alb1 · 27/03/2020 13:23

I agree they should only go out with a parent, you are doing the right thing. However before the next walk I would warn them that if they didn’t take care to stay 2 metres from other people again that they wouldn’t not be leaving the house at all. That’s awful of them

angelcakebananabrain · 27/03/2020 13:24

@Devlesko I love that you’ve owned it tho!

Original poster
mbosnz · 27/03/2020 13:29

Alb1, they're not being malicious about it, they're being thoughtless. Unfortunately I'm finding, and I don't think I'm alone, that it's very hard to get a know it all teenager, who's full of rude good health, 10 foot tall and bullet proof, and as self absorbed as many teenagers can be, to understand that it's not just about them. That they can be asymptomatic and carriers, that they could potentially kill another human being. That they can catch it, and that they could die. That they could potentially infect us and we could die.

That's just silly old Mum, over-reacting, and catastrophising again.

OP posts:
Dylaninthemovies1 · 27/03/2020 13:34

@Devlesko. You have made me laugh. Takes a lot to admit you’re wrong lol

midwestspring · 27/03/2020 13:34

I decided that we wouldn't be leaving the garden this week. (It looks like next week will be critical in our state for flattening the curve and we live in a high density area)
DC were absolutely delighted, DH was muttering sadly about supermarket runs (normally can't get DH anywhere near a blinking supermarket!)

midwestspring · 27/03/2020 13:35

@Devlesko you also made me smile 😃

AmelieTaylor · 27/03/2020 13:37

@mbosnz you’re a star (despite what your teens might think right now) I wish the parents around here would take the same stance.

I like the ‘no under 18’s’ out alone. It does make it a bit difficult for those who work or are parents themselves or don’t live with their parents (but that would be easy enough to prove if necessary and a small number compared to the teens who think it’s just a long Easter Holiday and a bit of a laugh!!).

I’m not sure if parents are just stupid & happy to have them out if the house or are working & trysting then to be sensible?! Either way there needs to be some tightening if the restrictions.

Spam88 · 27/03/2020 13:40

YANBU OP. Ny local police force posted this earlier regarding the new powers they've been granted.

AIBU - I've said to the DD's they can only go for a walk with a parent present
CMOTDibbler · 27/03/2020 13:40

My 13 year old is only allowed out with one of us as he has shown no sense about maximising distances - he argued up and down that he couldn't do 2m as the pavement wasn't that wide instead of crossing the road, or running in the road for 30s.

TheGinSoakedBoy · 27/03/2020 13:41

@devlesko you've made me smile. Thank you. @mbosnz I could have written your post about them being in rude health ajd not getting it. Mine are similar ages and it all sounds very familiar!

Original poster
mbosnz · 27/03/2020 13:42

Well, one of them is back to talking to me - that's a fairly quick turnaround time Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
mbosnz · 27/03/2020 13:46

Devlesko, I think we all have some small percentage of Hyacinth Bucket in us Smile. DH calls me neighbourhood watch. I'm not being nosy at my neighbours comings and goings per se, I just like watching the world go by!

OP posts:
AnneOfCloves · 27/03/2020 13:47

I’m Mother Gothel and DD (14) is Rapunzel, apparently.

I cooked up this whole virus thing just to ruin her social life and the other mums aren’t meanies like me.

AlexaAmbidextra · 27/03/2020 13:47

They don't have to like it. They just have to accept it. Which they are.

Not being patronising when I say what a sensible parent you are. So refreshing to hear this rather than “my kids don’t like it, waah, waah. What can I dooooo? I don’t want to upset them.”

Original poster
mbosnz · 27/03/2020 13:49

When you think of just what dicks you see so many full grown adults are being, not following the rules, and not getting how serious this is, and how downright petulant some adults are being, I guess it's understandable that teens might also be having a bit of trouble grokking it. We've just got to do their seeing around corners for them if they're not getting it, I guess.

OP posts:
diddl · 27/03/2020 13:49

I'd be tempted to stop them going out for a couple of days tbh.

Original poster
mbosnz · 27/03/2020 13:51

@AlexaAmbidextra

Not being patronising when I say what a sensible parent you are.

Thank you! I don't feel patronised, could actually do with a pat on the head, because I really am feeling a bit beaten down by it all!

They're pretty good kids on the whole. I'm biased of course! Smile

OP posts:
AlexaAmbidextra · 27/03/2020 13:52

I'd be tempted to stop them going out for a couple of days tbh.

No need diddl. It sounds as though they’re accepting Mum’s rules.

Zombiemum1946 · 27/03/2020 13:55

My ds (17) has had to go shopping and is very conscious of social distancing. Dd (10) is not, she's normally always out and is desperate to run around. Dh will take her out on bikes later on, as he can no longer take her to the shop.luckily she likes messing in the garden as well, so we'll do that later. It's just so difficult. I feel so bad for her but it's just a case of getting on with it . 😷

BossAssBitch · 27/03/2020 13:56

@Devlesko I loved that you owned your mistake and in such a self deprecating manner. Made me Smile

Original poster
mbosnz · 27/03/2020 13:56

LOL, one of them said, 'well that's me not leaving the house for the whole duration then'. . .

She'd huffed off before I could say, 'okay'. . .Grin

OP posts:
MowCopCastle · 27/03/2020 16:39

@Devlesko you're so classy! Thanks for making me smile Smile

Boredsheep · 27/03/2020 17:02

@Devlesko you’re not the only one to think that. Someone commented on my friends Facebook post saying that if you go out with 2 others from your house then one of you needs to walk 2m away from the others Grin

Aragog · 27/03/2020 17:06

parent with 2 kids out, very irresponsible.

I think you have read the rules wrongly.

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