Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to plan on having a BBQ

439 replies

Numptydumptyfelloffthewall · 02/04/2020 12:58

Hi,

I've seen such conflicting advice and information on this lockdown that I'm starting to doubt my own judgement. I've tried to follow the lockdown to the letter. DH and I are working full time from home and i've been out once since lockdown for food shopping. We have 2 DC (4, 6) who are home and havent been out, they run around in the garden for exercise.

I have some BBQ coal in the shed and was wondering if it would be unreasonable/ wrong for DH, me and the 2 DC to have a BBQ on Sunday when the weather is predicted to be a bit nicer. We wouldnt need to buy any supplies or meet anyone else and it would really brighten a very stressed and difficult week but I dont want to be disrespectful or undermine the lockdown, esp as I have family both on the shielding list and working in the NHS, so I really understand how important it is to delay the spread of Covid 19.

We're in a standard 1930s 3 bed semi so we have a nice sized garden but not huge. If we do go ahead, should we go in if our neighbours also come into their garden? Or set up at the bottom of the garden? I usually keep the kids inside during the actual cooking as DD4 is asthmatic but they find eating BBQ food outside to be a huge novelty/ treat.

OP posts:
JustInCaseCakeHappens · 02/04/2020 14:05

There's a reason why bonfires are banned, not bbq.

If you live in a busy area, the responsible thing to do is stick with a gaz one, because no one wants to inflict smoke on their neighbour, but apart from that. Most people who can will have bbq, why wouldn't they

OnlyJudyCanJudgeMe · 02/04/2020 14:05

Now I want a BBQ!
Carry on.

MinnieMountain · 02/04/2020 14:06

Thanks OP. It genuinely hadn't occurred to me to have a barbecue. We are now Smile

WotchaTalkinBoutWillis · 02/04/2020 14:07

I was going to say YABU, but if it's just members of your own family who you live with and in your own garden, there's nothing at all wrong with that.
You're still allowed into your garden Confused (unless any of you are vulnerable that is) but if you were you wouldn't be asking MN if it's OK lol

shinyredbus · 02/04/2020 14:07

What?! What the issue with having a bbq in your own garden? Have I missed something?!

WaxOnFeckOff · 02/04/2020 14:07

I swear some people will only be happy when we are sitting in solitary confinement in darkened rooms eating bread and water

Nah, they'd still be moaning about how you came by bread....

BillywilliamV · 02/04/2020 14:08

Adding breadrolls, cheese slices, sausages etc to the stuff that people are panic buying!

CeibaTree · 02/04/2020 14:08

This is one of the most bizarre C-19 related questions I have seen on mumsnet! Of course it's fine to have a bbq in your own garden - enjoy!

Itwasgoodwhileitlasted · 02/04/2020 14:08

We are having one too. Hope you have a lovely time of it.

Not sure why people are so snappy. No issue in double checking.

Have fun Smile

PhilCornwall1 · 02/04/2020 14:08

I swear some people will only be happy when we are sitting in solitary confinement in darkened rooms eating bread and water

And you'll just know that would become competitive on here. "I'm living in solitary with little food" ..... "No, No, I've got it harder than you, I'm doing all that and then being even harder on myself because I dared not think about THE VIRUS for 2 seconds".

Deux · 02/04/2020 14:09

What also baffles me about the numerous threads in a similar vein, aside from perspective, is when posters come along and say “yes, it’s absolutely fine, as long as < insert list of ridiculous never before considered considerations>“.

I had no idea so many people saw so much danger everywhere.

oncemorewithfeeling99 · 02/04/2020 14:12

The kids are in the garden every day. No reason to keep them out assuming it’s private or to not eat outside. We have tall fences so don’t think there is any risk. Enjoy your bbq.

Likethebattle · 02/04/2020 14:13

Good weather, it’s set to sleet in my area if Scotland tomorrow. Will be a while before we get the 2 day a years where we can barbecue.

dworky · 02/04/2020 14:14

Barbeque is fine as long as you don't invite others.

OtherVoices · 02/04/2020 14:16

Depends whether or not if any of your neighbours are ill with the corona virus and are suffering from respiratory problems at the moment.

Would the BBQ smoke aggravate anyone?

cornishdreams1 · 02/04/2020 14:17

If you head over to another thread you will be burned at the stake for suggesting the lockdown will end after the peak, and we will be locked up for six months, it seems some are holding onto the misery fairly bloody tightly to me!

Bring out the wine people!

Bananacloud · 02/04/2020 14:20

Maybe put a pin in your plans for now; meant to be really windy Sunday

MysticMeghan · 02/04/2020 14:22

I think this a lovely idea. You are using stuff you already have. You're not making any special journeys or special trips out to buy stuff. You're taking advantage of the good weather to enjoy some fresh air in the garden. You're giving you kids a treat. No-one is coming round. You're not breaching any Govt guidelines. What is the harm?

lowlandLucky · 02/04/2020 14:24

Enjoy your BBQ , what a lovely treat for you all.

cardibach · 02/04/2020 14:26

Where I live they have banned all burning of rubbish outside due to the effect of smoke on people with the virus, so if loads of people start having BBQs I actually wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the next think they ban

They have also implemented a total 40mph speed limit to reduce accidents on the empty roads (we normally have no speed limit out of towns)
@Rebootingagain who do you mean by ‘they’? None of this is in the legislation. I can see why it might be best not to have loads of bonfires if there are people with breathing difficulties nearby, but that looks like some of the overreach the Cabinet Office have been criticising.

alloutoffucks · 02/04/2020 14:26

OP I see you have some family members who are in the shielded group. I think this is where the confusion comes from. Those in the shielded group are advised to not go in the garden.

PieceOfMaria · 02/04/2020 14:28

So long as you are in your own back garden at least two metres away from anyone you don’t share a house with I don’t see how it can possibly matter what you do.

WaxOnFeckOff · 02/04/2020 14:31

I still have the post corona cough, neighbours burned some garden rubbish last week, it didn't bother me and I didn't even think about it to be honest. I was more wondering if I had anything I could send over for them to burn.

oncemorewithfeeling99 · 02/04/2020 14:33

I’m also recovering from coronavirus. It wouldn’t have any effect on me. I’m in bed not in the garden breathing deeply.

Snugglepumpkin · 02/04/2020 14:33

I hate barbeques.

Thing is though, just because I don't like them doesn't mean the rest of the world has to go without.

So, if you are not inviting people outside your household or having to leave your own garden to have a barbeque in the park, on the beach etc... & it makes your family happy, you should go ahead & do it.