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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Are your children playing with other children?

114 replies

HardHatOptional · 22/06/2020 18:01

I know Iprobably ABU but I was just wondering if anyone else has started to let their children play outside with other children yet?

My DS is 4 and since last week I've let him join in and play outside on the street with the other children who live in our cul de sac (3 other households). They aren't social distancing as you can imagine which I don't expect them to.

Since this, DS is a much happier child. He is no longer grumpy and teary, he's sleeping much better and honestly its just so nice to hear him have fun again. He has no siblings or other children in the family and he's been really lonely and missing social interaction.

They difference in him is unbelievable.

It may be selfish but I believe the chances of catching Covid 19 are so low and keeping him isolated was really damaging his mental health.

So are your children playing with others?

OP posts:
SpillTheTeaa · 22/06/2020 18:06

No because he's 11 months but kids round here are about with each other all the time. Doesn't bother me. Hearing them all laughing/giggling is lovely.

WhamRap · 22/06/2020 18:09

They're not.

wildthingsinthenight · 22/06/2020 18:10

No

bboxoff · 22/06/2020 18:11

My son is 20 months old and I let him play with other kids when we go to the park after I've asked their parents if it's ok. Every parent I've bumped in to has been glad for the kids to play together. I do however live in an area that hasn't had a covid death for quite a long time and a tiny tiny number of cases.

wobblybobbly · 22/06/2020 18:12

As long as you don’t mind catching it, and aren’t in any contact with any at risk group such as grandparents, I think it Is your moral decision. Personally I wouldn’t as I think the risk of adults catching it is still high.

sirfredfredgeorge · 22/06/2020 18:12

I'm a little surprised at 4 that they're not social distancing at all, the odd lapse of getting close for sure, but actual hugging/fighting/touching etc. I am surprised, is that reception or yet at school? All the kids around here from school age up who are out spend most of their time social distancing just as well as the adults and are rarely in close contact.

CatFaceCats · 22/06/2020 18:13

Yes, but my children are 8 & 9.
We’ve had their friends round (separately) and they just stay apart. I’m not going to lie and say it’s always strictly 2m, but certainly not close together and no hugging/wrestling.

Merename · 22/06/2020 18:14

We have had a few outdoor play dates, as well as befriended randoms in the park, and dd, 4 has managed to distance fairly well. Not perfectly 2m at all times obviously, but never right up in faces so I am comfortable with the low risk associated with that.

NothingIsWrong · 22/06/2020 18:15

Mine are in school and not social distancing there. We've had play dates with other children from school. It's been really good for them

LizzieMacQueen · 22/06/2020 18:16

No. I just read a thread where the OP's kid had been on a sleepover last week. I so wanted to ask why when it's not allowed but the nature of her post, she has bigger problems to worry about.

Rebelwithallthecause · 22/06/2020 18:16

3 year old has been having friends round the last few weeks.

glueandstick · 22/06/2020 18:17

Yup. I am. Only child here. The change is remarkable. We’re making our own school bubble of three. That’s a risk we’re willing to take for the sake of their mental health.

Newuser123123 · 22/06/2020 18:19

Yes, strict social distancing for adults but having a few garden playdates. The evidence of asymptomatic transmission between children is low but the impact of social isolation on children is real. If there's a second peak and enforced lockdown in the autumn it will be the best part of a year without seeing their friends which is just awful when you consider more children have been killed in the home than have died of covid.
Plus if we get to the autumn and a second lockdown having followed the rules meticulously and I find out Dominic Cummings has been having playdates for his kid and is defended by people saying he's a responsible father I would be genuinely devastated.

FTMF30 · 22/06/2020 18:19

My DS has gone back to a nursery for one day a week (for now). I've declined playdates but I do understand the beed for kids to play and interact, which is the main reason we opted to send DS back into nursery. If it wasn't for that, I would consider a play date with another child.

BendingSpoons · 22/06/2020 18:20

DD is back at nursery and not socially distancing there, so we feel it's not fair for her to mix with other children. We are having issues with another family who ask us several times a week to meet up and say their DS really wants to hug DD. I understand it is low risk, bit he is in another bubble at nursery, so I feel it makes a bit of a mockery of the schools working hard on bubbles. If they weren't back at nursery I would probably have let DD play with her friend in the park and not worried too much if they got a bit close. I probably still would now if this boy didn't keep asking to give DD a hug. She doesn't even like hugs anyway!

Immigrantsong · 22/06/2020 18:21

No

coffeechocolatecoffee · 22/06/2020 18:30

Absolutely. They have been in childcare throughout and fortunately we have had no problems. We have not arranged playdates but live in an area where we often bump into friends in the park and we allow the children to play freely. They are usually on their scooters/bikes so not hugging/touching but also closer than 2m.

I should add we are very lucky that have no health issues in immediate family so it does make the decision a lot easier

LaurieMarlow · 22/06/2020 18:33

Yep. The difference in him is immense.

Original poster
HardHatOptional · 22/06/2020 18:34

We have no contact with anyone else as we live miles away from any family so no contact with anyone vulnerable.

I'm glad I'm not the only one. The improvement in DS's mental health is incredible. I didn't realise how bad things were until I saw the difference.

OP posts:
DailyMailHater · 22/06/2020 18:38

No my son isn’t. He ain’t back at school yet (his year group not open apart from key-workers children) but school have been communicating that any children / families that have not socially distanced outside of school (I.e child mentions it) will be asked to collect their child and keep them home for 14 days along with any siblings.

Alexandernevermind · 22/06/2020 18:40

I let my senior school age children see friends - strictly outdoors. I've noticed my eldest has spent more and more time alone in her room recently, which worries me more than the virus. We are still distancing from everyone else, so it is low risk hopefully.

FrugiFan · 22/06/2020 18:40

Yes my 3 year old plays with the neighbours children. They would have all been at preschool together of they had chosen to open, so would have been allowed to play together there. Kids need other kids.

Thurmanmurman · 22/06/2020 18:41

Yes, and they’re a lot happier for it.

MsMeNz · 22/06/2020 18:42

My 11 year old has started seeing one other friend out doors, cycling around and kicking ball together at park. My other younger two haven't seen any friends.

StonedRoses · 22/06/2020 18:42

There current prevalence of covid is estimated at 1in1700 in the U.K. So the chance of one of your play dates having covid (and being asymptomatic) is very low. I’d say there’s more risk to the kids from walking to the park than there is of them catching covid playing with their friends