Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

DD planning on meeting friends

35 replies

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 28/05/2020 17:58

DD (13) is supposed to be meeting her best friend tomorrow. It's her friend's 13th birthday. This friend has had an awful few months. Her mum passed away just before Christmas, her stepdad of two years decided he felt uncomfortable bringing up a teenage girl who wasn't his biologically (I do understand but feel for the girl) and her real dad didn't want to know. She's ended up with her grandparents who aren't great with her and I know she's been really lonely over lockdown.

I was more than happy for DD to meet up with her for her birthday and trust them to socially distance. However, DD has now told me she's invited a few other friends as a surprise for the birthday girl. Apparently there are 4 others going but are meeting up in twos and will "accidentally" bump in to one another across the fields for a birthday picnic (all taking their own food and drink).

Would you be ok with this? DD and her friends are a bit square and I trust them not to break the 2m rule but DD confessed their plan as she is worried someone might see them and report them

OP posts:

Arriettyborrower · 28/05/2020 18:01

I would absolutely be ok with this given it’s just been announced that groups of 6 can meet up from Monday, yes it’s a few days early but it sounds like this girl really needs a break.

ShouldWeChangeTheBulb · 28/05/2020 18:02

Let them meet. Teenagers have had it the worst during this time. I can’t imagine keeping away from my friends at that age.

cheninblanc · 28/05/2020 18:02

Plenty of teenagers are meeting up now, mine aren't but I'd turn a blind eye to this given what's just been announced

AMostExcellentStick · 28/05/2020 18:02

I'd be ok with it - I'd probably be more worried about the possibility of someone yelling at them. Could they meet up in a two tomorrow then all six on Monday?

TrickyWords · 28/05/2020 18:03

It is officially ok from Monday...

Spodge · 28/05/2020 18:03

So long as they can be trusted to distance, which it sounds like they can, then I'd be fine with it. Even if someone reports them I'm sure the police won't bother with a group of six kids obviously distancing.

Justcallmebebes · 28/05/2020 18:04

Absolutely let them meet especially as they plan to be outdoors. Sounds like your dd's friend desperately needs her friends and some normality.

Ragwort · 28/05/2020 18:04

Sounds fine if they are outside .......... but just tell them to keep moving. surely its less dangerous than being in a buys supermarket?

RandomMess · 28/05/2020 18:04

Mine have down this earlier this week but are 16/17 and did keep 2m away from each other.

I would be more concerned about sunburn or sunstroke tbh if they stay sat out in too long.

LellyMcKelly · 28/05/2020 18:09

They can all meet up officially from Monday anyway and I think we’ve all given up on the rules anyway.

Bargainhuntbore · 28/05/2020 18:11

Absolutely fine. Let her live!

maddiemookins16mum · 28/05/2020 18:18

Yep, I’d let her.

Snozzlemaid · 28/05/2020 18:23

Yes I would let her.
My DD's older but she met 2 friends at the beach last weekend. They each took their own food and drink and sat in a triangle well apart from each other. Did her the world of good.

vanillandhoney · 28/05/2020 18:25

It's fine. It's allowed from Monday anyway so what difference will two days make?

ssd · 28/05/2020 18:27

I'd let her too.

Thighmageddon · 28/05/2020 18:28

I honestly don't know why the PM didn't just say you can meet in a group of six from tomorrow.

It's going to be another glorious weekend so allowing it immediately would've been the more sensible option.

Cuddling57 · 28/05/2020 18:29

Yes let them meet!
It will be so beneficial for all of them.
Our park has been busy for two weeks with larger groups meeting up. Bins overflowing etc.
My elderly mum and dad have been worried about their grandchildren not being able to see friends and the damage it's doing to them.
Send her off with some all day suncream, a bottle of water and tell her not to come back until she is ready .

Cuddling57 · 28/05/2020 18:30

@Thighmageddon makes a very good point.
Also Scotland is groups of 8. I don't understand why it's different.

Washyourhandsyoufilthyanimal · 28/05/2020 18:31

I’d be ok with that

Original poster

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 28/05/2020 18:34

Thanks everyone. I didn't see the news about groups of 6 meeting until just now

Slightly confused by the fact the majority of you have said it's ok but the poll says otherwise. Do some people vote YABU just for the sake of it even if they don't have an opinion?!

OP posts:

cloudspotter · 28/05/2020 18:34

I'd let them. Unless you or another member of the family are shielding, I would let them.

I've encouraged my teenager to arrange to meet her friends as soon as it was allowed. They're unlikely to get it, they probably won't ever be infectious, so can't pass it on. Outdoor transmission is unlikely. At least that is some of the science that's out there to help decide, alongside the number of local cases near you.

We're probably safest now, before lockdown properly ends.

Original poster

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 28/05/2020 18:35

@AMostExcellentStick I guess they could wait until Monday but, tbh I don't think the grandparents will make much of a fuss over her and DD wanted to make it a bit more special surprising her with a few more friends. I'll put it to her and see what she says though. Thank you

OP posts:

Boulshired · 28/05/2020 18:37

Unless you are with them, you are never going to know the distance, I walk the dog when DP gets home at 7. The last two weeks there are lots of groups of teenagers in the woods. 2 metres is much bigger than many seem to appreciate. However we have had very few cases so I would not be concerned with mine meeting and none of us are particularly at risk.

Original poster

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 28/05/2020 18:38

@cloudspotter I'm assuming nobody is shielding as they've all agreed for their DC to meet up. We haven't had many cases at all in our area (touch wood!) So I guess I'm worrying about nothing really 😂

OP posts:

WhentheRabbitsWentWild · 28/05/2020 19:09

Awww let her go OP
Her poor friend . :(

Flip

1 2