Children’s parties from Monday

[dothisnotthat]

Name changed for this.

A dad at school is planning his child’s birthday party. It will be in a couple of weeks. He is intending to do a sport at an activity center for a large group, but they will do the activity in smallish groups then join up just for food at the end. All these children are in the same school class - no extras. My own child is invited.

I was a bit surprised given the new restrictions. The dad thinks it’s fine because a. They’ll be in small groups b. It’s a sport and c. They already spend everyday together.

The reason I’m asking is because I’ve put party planning on hold for my own DC (autumn bdays) assuming they wouldn’t be allowed.

Is everyone using the sporting activity loophole after Monday??

No it is not an organised sporting activity so it goes against the restrictions

No, we are having 4 friends round. DS plus me = 6. DH is taking DD out. Not ideal but I can't risk breaking the law.

Has the activity centre OK'd it?

That’s still against the law.

How old are kids.? Under 12's are included in the 6 restrictions

Most are 8, turning 9.

Whilst it will not be legal - if they are all in the same bubble at school then what's the difference between Monday morning and this party this is a sarcastic post btw; schools don't have a magic forcefield

Yes, I get the ridiculousness of it when the same children are together all week. I’ll have to have a discrete word with some other parents to judge the mood. From a safety point of view I’m fine for my child to attend but not comfortable with breaking the law.

The group of 6 is supposed to come from 2 households. Unless I'm wrong.

It's breaking the law. On an individual level probably ok but if everyone thought like that dad we'd never get out of this mess.
My DD is having 4 friends over plus DD plus me equals 6. Not having a big b-day bash is not the end of the world!

It’s wrong and shouldn’t be allowed to go ahead

Oh and the difference between that and schools is that schools are sanitising everything and everyone all the time and there are procedures which will not be followed at a bday party. So no they don’t have a magic force field around them but they are being as careful as they can be to try and help us not go into lockdown again whilst helping the kids see each other in a safe environment and to allow people to return to work

In schools it’s a controlled environment, where the adult isn’t with the other children only his own. The activity centre will know the new rules and whether it applies to them, but I personally think it’s not ok.

@MadeForThis no, the 6 can come from 6 different households (in England) if you want.

The activity centre is unlikely to allow it. I would want to know if this plan is cleared with them, I wouldn't want to be stuck with my child in an argument between staff and the parents.

I'd make an excuse!

My 8 almost 9 year old wouldn’t be going if invited

Both he and his brother who’s birthday is next month have been told parties just ain’t happening this year

[quote PotteringAlong]@MadeForThis no, the 6 can come from 6 different households (in England) if you want.[/quote]
Which in itself is ridiculous, the pool for spreading asymptomatic cases is widened - I feel like I'm missing something?

It is stupid considering they are around each other all day but it’s the law so I don’t think the activity centre will allow it, presumably he booked in good faith before the rules changed and his D.C. will be disappointed but unfortunately it is what it is and he should get a refund surely?

I’m amazed the activity centre hasn’t cancelled it.

Maybe they haven’t actually thought it through and their liability to fines...

@Mindymomo

In schools it’s a controlled environment, where the adult isn’t with the other children only his own. The activity centre will know the new rules and whether it applies to them, but I personally think it’s not ok.

How controlled do you really think we can be? I don't often stand up for SLT but no matter what plans are in place, full control in a school can never take place.

Bubbles are basically like your family unit; kids are mixing, close to each other and no matter how much we try to stop it passing items to each other.

Teachers are also moving between bubbles so cross contamination is happening there.

To be honest, I'd imagine that a party destination would be far more vigilant than we can be at school

"Youth activities" are exempted - we can still run brownies for example - under lots of tedious regulations, but they have to socially distance and adults have to wear face coverings, can't have other adults on site etc. It may be that the party bit is covered under the "youth activities" but the meal afterwards isn;t

I understand the reasoning but I don't think this party will happen.

We’ve done pretty big parties every year, love it, loads of kids running around on a bouncy castle, great fun! This year we will take our DS out of Pre school for the morning on his birthday and as a
Family go on a day trip to Digger Land/ Thomas world which ever he prefers for his birthday next week. He’ll have a blast and it’s one bloody year!

Another example of people bending the rules to suit their own needs - when will people learn?!

These restrictions have been put in for a reason, too stop the spread, to prevent vunerable people dying, and attempting to get us back to as near 'normal as soon as possible.

None of this will happen if people keep manipulating the rules - 6 is 6, end off imo!

My DD’s both had bdays in lockdown, at least the birthday child can do something outside of the house now.