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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Toddlers and the latest corona announcement

87 replies

Purpleflashingunicorn · 29/05/2020 18:20

Apologies if this has already been discussed, I couldn’t find any threads about it.

Am I right in thinking that nothing has changed in regards to the announcement if you have toddlers as they obviously don’t understand social distancing? there’s a few people on facebook who I know through nursery who seem so excited but have toddlers like I do and I’m just sitting here wondering, how can you keep a toddler at a distance from people for more than 3 minutes? Especially when it’s family that they’ve missed so much! Am I missing something?
I was hoping so much that the announcement was going to include some sort of good news for us but came away so disappointed as I have an extremely energetic toddler who I don’t feel I could social distance from family, putting them and us at risk.

Willing to be told that I’ve missed something and I’m entirely wrong!

OP posts:

amusedbush · 29/05/2020 21:09

I worded that terribly - the neighbours were visited by their children and partners, plus their grandchildren

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 29/05/2020 21:21

In the same way that nurseries don't expect children to social distance, i dont expect my child to. My current view is that we need to protect the elderly and clinically extremely vulnerable, so I won't be allowing my child near anyone within those categories.

elliejjtiny · 29/05/2020 22:07

My nearly 6 year old has autism and learning difficulties and he doesn't understand social distancing. At the moment we aren't meeting anyone else.

Original poster

Purpleflashingunicorn · 29/05/2020 22:49

I think the problem I have with the whole argument of well if they can go back to nursery then hey can see my mum is that as he said in the announcement there will be inconsistencies. It isn’t because it’s “safe” for the kids to mix at nursery, so why isn’t it “safe” for them to see family, it’s because it’s deemed worth the risk so people can get back to work. It isn’t because it’s safe, otherwise we wouldn’t need to distance.

Having said that, I do think we’re at a point where people need to do what feels right for them.

OP posts:

Bibijayne · 29/05/2020 22:58

Reins and distraction games.

Lazypuppy · 29/05/2020 23:01

We don't worry about the kids staying 2m apart.when we see our friends we (adults) stay 2m apart but just let the kids run around.they tend to just get on with playing anyway.

Glad we can meet in gardens now and more people

Hercwasonaroll · 29/05/2020 23:22

Having kids back at school won't really help with childcare as lots of grandparents do drop offs and pick ups. So lots of parents will still be unable to return to work unless they WFH.

Use your common sense. If you know you've been mostly at home and are well, then why not let them cuddle? Chances of your toddler having it are tiny.

Heidi1976 · 30/05/2020 07:41

My 2 year old will be seeing his grandparents from this weekend for childcare as me and his dad both wfh a d it's becoming too hard. We have been at home since the start as have they. He will be going back to nursery in July (second wave dependant!) So he will stop seeing them then until it seems safer infection and death rate wise.

IndecentFeminist · 30/05/2020 07:45

My 2 yr old has seen his grandparents on the drive a few times now. While he runs around a lot he hasn't gone close to them, despite having a very close relationship. It can be managed if people see fit.

molifly14 · 30/05/2020 07:48

My 2 year old will be seeing friends and family, because he is also a person who is missing those he loves. He doesn't have to stay 2m apart at nursery so he will be allowed to run freely with his friends outside of nursery if the other parents agree. His mental health matters to and he has struggled with not seeing everyone he normally sees.

Sipperskipper · 30/05/2020 07:53

I think it depends on the child. DD has just turned 3, and isn’t massively into cuddling anyone, even me! We have seen my mum a couple of times and she was fine with not getting close but just chatting and playing at a distance. Have also bumped into our neighbour & daughter (same age) and they happily kept a distance on their scooters going up and down the road.

To be honest as a PP said - DD hasn’t been (and won’t be) at preschool for the foreseeable future (am pregnant and don’t want to take the risk), we haven’t been anywhere and neither have my retired parents. Seems pretty safe to spend time with them, even up close. They will be looking after DD when I stay in hospital anyway.

DCIRozHuntley · 30/05/2020 08:03

My parents are in their 50s and have been WFH.

We haven't seen them but they'll be coming round for a bit on Monday evening.

Social distancing won't be strictly observed but I'll discourage actual hugs and kisses. My kids are all under 9 so young, but I'll distract them with food and maybe a magazine. We chose our house because my mum and dad can manage without the loo for an hour so it avoids that awkwardness.

I think we do need to begin to live a little more fully again.

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