Meeting a friend... with a baby?

[BabyLlamaZen]

Now I'm the first to roll my eyes at these "can I do this, can I do that?" post, but I also acknowledge that I happily live with dh and a baby that keeps me occupied most of the day. I get that this is really hard for a lot of people. One of these people is my friend with lots of anxiety who is living alone. She wants to meet at a local park at the allowed 2 metres. I've said if we can find a quiet time then of I will meet her so we can walk and talk.

However, reading the guidance again I'm not sure this is ok. I would have to take ds with me (who is only 6 months old) and according to the guidance that would make us a party of 2. Is this really a problem? It seems ridiculous but I also hate being a hypocrite.

AIBU to think I can see my friend? (I'd actually rather not but feel like a terrible person).

I have seen lots of people meeting people in the park with their kids in buggies. I saw one family yesterday, with three kids, meet a woman in her 50s (I am guessing grandmother).

You wont be talking your dc out and handing him to your friend. I say do what you want to do. With these new rules they are so odd and illogical (a different perspn every day but not two people from the same household etc) most people are using their common sense and managing the risk.

The guidance actually had an example of a person with a toddler. I'm hoping because he can't actually get out of the pram it's ok?

As in a person and toddler is not ok.

Why can’t your husband look after his son so then you can see your friend and get some baby free time.

I’ve seen a few people with very young children meeting someone else in public, so if you do choose to take your son you won’t be the only one.

I see zero issue of walking a baby in a pram alongside a friend meters away. They won’t handle the baby

Im going for a 2m socially distanced walk with a friend and our babies today, our babies wont be mingling.

There was a news item that I watched yesterday where 2 friends met up both with their small babies in prams, so it will be fine. Just keep to the 2 metres distance guideline.

Can you link to the guidance about the toddler?
I was thinking the same. This is useless for single parents.

Of course it’s fine!

I’ve not been counting my baby, so we’ve got and met one person. If I caught anything she’d most likely catch it from me anyway

What about toddlers? Baby in pram makes sense but what about children you can't leave alone?

If the child, whether baby or toddler, is an a pram I can’t see the problem.

It’s different to an energetic 2 year old who won’t understand social distancing.

In a pram and can’t get out? Ok.
A walking, talking child? No.

The guidance has been changed to say two people from one household can meet two people from another household, therefore a total of four, so long as the two households maintain the 2m distance.

You're fine to meet your friend and maintain distance.

Really? When did the guidance change?

@TokenGinger
I havent seen that anywhere?

I haven't seen that either! I'd be interested to know if it's right, I'm hoping to meet up with a friend who's daughter is friends with DS, we're planning on meeting but splitting into two pairs and walking off separately but would be easier if we could all meet together

I've not seen that new guideline

I’m pretty sure that ‘gatherings’ of more than two people (unless from same household) remain prohibited by law.

Though I think it perfectly reasonable if technically outside the letter of the law to meet another person with a baby.

@SimonJT my husband works full time and baby is extremely clingy with me anyway and feeds frequently so can't really leave him for an hour. If I can't take him, I'm not going.

Let me try to find it. Somebody shared a link to it last night but I just noted it rather than saved it. Let me go search for who shared it last night!

Hmmm, after reading it now, I think the person who shared it has misunderstood it. My understanding when reading the link and comments on the post is that two people from different households (ie one from each) can meet, whereas they believe it means two people from two different households can meet.

Ignore my previous comment! Should have fact-checked more thoroughly before commenting! 🤦🏼‍♀️

I think it would be absolutely fine and would urge you to see your friend. I can’t imagine how hard it must be to be on your own at this time. Sounds like she really needs you.

I think it would be ok as your baby would be in a pram/buggy. However, in your last sentence you say you'd actually rather not but you feel like a terrible person. I would say if you're not comfortable with it or just don't feel like it then please don't go and don't beat yourself up about that. You're not a terrible person for not wanting to do something, just human!

It's fine just go and enjoy, we've got to start doing things off our own backs I feel, the guidance is all a little bit odd, have a lovely time!