Toddler class still running in Tier 4

[AllChange2021]

On Facebook I've just seen that a local toddler class is still running. We're in Tier 4. There was a message to the effect that the organiser had read the restrictions and believed that they can still meet. Classes last 45 minutes and are a lot of fun but the parent or carer has to stay with the child/children so this in no way is helping parents work nor providing respite for the adults.
So there will be ( up to 15?) parents/carers indoors with toddlers. Doesn't this make a mockery of the Tier 4 Stay At Home message and the sacrifices we're all making? How can anyone go ahead with this with a clear conscience in the current circumstances?

@didot

I'm sick of people virtue signalling that they're over-following the rules and judging other people for not doing the same.

Support bubbles are allowed. Parent and baby/toddler groups are allowed. I have therefore formed a support bubble and have and will continue to attend classes. Please stop trying to shame me and other new mums.

To any new mums out there who are undecided - please don't let the judgy comments on here put you off availing yourself of the support that you need and are legally allowed to take

Yes exactly, and they are allowed for a reason! No one should be judging people for doing what they are allowed to do within the rules. It’s hard enough at the moment without this.

@Sway19
It’s allowed but the people who run these groups and those that attend are incredibly selfish
Apart from the support to parents that previous posters have mentioned, the people running the groups also rely on them for income. Why should they voluntarily stop a group they are legally allowed to run, that doesn’t even cater to people who are high risk?

My DS was 4 months old when the lockdown started and we’d moved to a new area when he was six weeks old. We made it to one baby sensory class when they all got cancelled. That group did start up again mid-sept but by that time he was crawling, and so the class just became 45 minutes of stress as I tried to keep him on the mat away from other people when all he wanted to do was crawl and explore. The only sort of thing available now is the kind of class you have to book a whole term of in advance usually costing about £50, which just isn’t affordable to many. The 50p/£1 playgroups are all gone. I’ve honestly never felt so isolated and alone in all my life as I have since March. If there was a toddler group I could go to I’d be there like a shot.

I can now see groups for new mums with babies are clearly much needed , even more so in this pandemic. But this was a toddler group I was talking about where the toddlers bounce off one another like balls in a pinball machine. I can't see them being successfully kept on a mat. But the main point is that if you can manage without these groups then don't go. Because @midgwit it's irrelevant if the people attending aren't high risk - people pick up the virus and , without having symptoms , spread it to others . Don't we all understand this by now ?

So what if its a toddler group? Parenting doesn't suddenly become less lonely because your child is older.

Thank god they are as I'd struggle if not. Just because my son is now a toddler it doesn't make days at home any less lonely. I'm 6 months pregnant and it's literally the only time I leave my house all week. I don't shop or see another living soul apart from my husband.

FYI it's incredibly well organised and the kids rarely go anywhere near one another and the adults don't at all. There certainly isn't any 'bouncing off each other' We have a mat and our own equipment box incl hand gel. The group leaders sanitise every inch of the floor and every piece of equipment between classes.

It also means the lovely lady who runs it still has a job.

Unless you are in this position then you have no idea how necessary they are.
Thankfully the government does so worry about your own conscience because I'm sticking to the rules so mine is clear.

@AllChange2021
The person I was replying to said the people who run the classes are selfish, my point was it’s not selfish to want to continue your source of income which they are allowed to do. It’s the responsibility of the people attending to ensure they are not putting others at risk by socially distancing, wearing a mask when out etc. Don’t we all understand this by now?

@maryberryslayers

Thank god they are as I'd struggle if not. Just because my son is now a toddler it doesn't make days at home any less lonely. I'm 6 months pregnant and it's literally the only time I leave my house all week. I don't shop or see another living soul apart from my husband.

FYI it's incredibly well organised and the kids rarely go anywhere near one another and the adults don't at all. There certainly isn't any 'bouncing off each other' We have a mat and our own equipment box incl hand gel. The group leaders sanitise every inch of the floor and every piece of equipment between classes.

It also means the lovely lady who runs it still has a job.

Unless you are in this position then you have no idea how necessary they are.
Thankfully the government does so worry about your own conscience because I'm sticking to the rules so mine is clear.

That sounds lovely!

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy, I really hope the restrictions are not so tight for you come March! Hopefully the vaccine will relieve a lot of the restrictions by then

@Fatladyslim thank you, I really hope so too.

[quote 80sColourfulChristmas]@Herdwick In Tier 4? They’re referring to therapeutic classes, things like classes about weaning/feeding or breastfeeding, colic, classes which are beneficial to the child and parent. Not bloody playgroups! Playgroups are just mummies having a gathering whilst kids play with old broken toys with kids they don’t know. That’s socialising!!
The entire point behind Tier 4 is to scale back to ESSENTIAL only activities! Kids being ignored whilst mummies have a natter in a church hall is NOT essential nor beneficial to anyone! Least of all the child[/quote]
What a ridiculous comment . Playgroups are beneficial to many.

Op, if you don't like it, don't go. Simple.

I had my baby boy in May and quite honestly I'm hanging on by a thread right now. My parents live 4hrs away and my dad is too unwell to travel so I can't see them. I have a limited network of friends locally. No one to bubble with and no mum friends. My baby will not be put down for a nap and wakes every 3 hrs at night. I am with him 24/7 and some days I feel so broken that I believe it would be better for him if I disappeared and he got a different mammy. One who could do things better. I haven't broken or even bent a single rule during this whole pandemic but if baby classes run I will be going to them and I don't believe I am selfish. Telephone counselling and the opportnity to attend a covid safe class for 1hr each week are basically keeping me going right now.