Are your children playing with other children?

[HardHatOptional]

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?

Yes, we live in a low rise block of flats and my daughter has been playing with one of her best friends who lives a few doors away throughout.

They are used to roaming the building and enclosed communal gardens unsupervised together, so it wouldn't be feasible to keep them apart even if I wanted to.

They are both the only child in their household, and my daughter hasn't been seeing her dad during the restrictions anyway.

My DC plays with the kid next door in the last week or so and that's it, he's a bit older than NDN's kid and they play games like racing, 'sword fights' etc which are easy to socially distance with.

i’m done with the Tories torturing kids to keep the grey vote happy

And let’s face it the greys are having the most fun! My mum is going stir crazy and to date has visited a care home , her hairdresser who has had COVID , I mean she might as well get on the bloody tube At this rate

Occasionally, but ,y daughter is a big kid who is capable of staying well away from people, and so is her best friend who lives round the corner. She says it is very unsatisfying, so they have only met up a few times. Most of the things they like to do involve being close together.

Yes but mines a bit older (11) not that she pays much attention to social distancing

DS is but then he’s at school as he’s in yr 1.

Dd is 11 so is able to see a few friends outdoors and social distance.

i’m done with the Tories torturing kids to keep the grey vote happy

Very good point.

Yes, DD2 is back at nursery two days a week and we’ve also started reintroducing outdoor play dates - had one in the park this morning with some NCT friends. She’s an only and has been like a different child since she’s been allowed to properly interact again - just sparkier and more animated somehow.

Yes, mostly with one other family. We don't really both with social distancing as long as they're not touching each other, coughing in each others faces etc

I’m done with the Tories torturing kids to keep the grey vote happy

Amen to that.

My 14 year old is going out for social distance walks with her friend. My 8 year old is seeing one friend who lives in our street and they play together in the communal back garden keeping their distance from each other.

DD4 hasn't seen any other children except for playing with DD1 and chatting to the two children next door over the fence. We wanted to keep the risk low as we're hoping to see grandparents on a regular basis from next week.

We've been homeschooling and doing lots of activities to keep her occupied. She's great at keeping herself busy anyway and thankfully seems content enough to play alone or with us.

Yes, and mine is going to her friend’s house for a play date after school. The other mother asked us and we said yes. I have no problem with it whatsoever. They’re normally in school together but in different pods now so they miss each other.

No, they are back at school and nursery though so I don't think they need to.