Teen meeting friend for exercise

[hopefulhalf]

So Dd (14) went out to ride her horse at the stables yesterday (fine absolutely within the guidence-exercise and animal welfare) She then wanted to meet a friend "for exercise" today. I said fine but only an hour or so as it has to be walking and not just hanging about, no shops and no picnics.

AIBU ? What are you all doing for your teens ?

I am letting mine (younger than yours) meet up with 1 friend on our local green space for a walk, but on the understanding it’s only the two of them, and that they don’t sit down together and chat. I also track where she is (which I did pre Covid anyway) as she’s still young. I think they should be given a chance to prove they’re being sensible but equally the number of teenagers I’ve seen gathering in groups with no social distancing makes me and she knows this.

My 12 year old is currently out playing football at the park with a friend.

Thank you, it is so hard for them and I get that, but our local green spaces are quite crowded so I think 60-90minutes is reasonable.

My 11 year old is currently out walking with a friend. They’ve fed the ducks. I think meeting up with one person is great for them, just like it is adults.

They know they can only walk, not sit on benches, can’t mix with other people if they see them and have to socially distance.

My 13 yo has met friend for walk today. I can cope without seeing anyone but I think it's really important for her mental health so am allowing it as long as within guidelines. I think at the moment after 60-90 mins they'll be so cold they'll be ready to come home anyway.

I am encouraging my dd13 to do this. It is vital for mental health. She loves skateboarding so I have encouraged her to meet her friend for an hour with their skateboards.

Will they stay 2m apart? Most adults don’t seem to be able to do this outdoors.

It's fine to meet up with one other for exercise but they need to remember to stay 2m apart. If they can't do that I wouldn't let them.

Dd14 is doing same as yours, mucking out and exercising horses. Ds 12 met a friend for a bike ride. I think as a adult we'd be allowed to meet a friend so trust them both to be sensible and they need to get outside the house for their mental well-being.

Mine is going out on bikes or scooters round the area with one friend at a time.

This is a conversation I have with my Ds14 on a regular basis. I’d be happy for him to ride his bike with one other friend but tbh I can’t trust him to stick to one after failing to on another occasion.

I’ve allowed my dd (16) to meet her friend to go for a walk. She just lives down the street so they only go round the block.
DD suffers with depression and we’re waiting for a priority appointment with CAHMS. If going for a walk with her friend helps, then so be it.

This is impossible, I get it. Our 16-year old just went out to "exercise" with a friend. I don't imagine they'll be able to stay 2 metres apart, but I insisted he wear a mask. He spends all his time on social media in his room, has gender dysmorphia, hates spending time with us, and self-harms. This is a risk we'll have to take as a family.

DS 17 hasn’t seen a friend in real life since they finished for christmas he also had to isolate in this period due to someone at school. However, he does speak to school friends on XBOX every day. He goes to school over 20 miles away so none of his good friends within walking distance.
DD last met her best friend on 22nd Dec and again none of her close friends live on her doorstep but are a bit closer than DS’s. She speaks to best friend on face time every day and has online chats/messages from others in her friendships group. She hasn’t to meet anyone either but I suspect a walk/talk and physical meet up might be beneficial for her mood and MH.

I would let mine do this, but they are barely leaving their rooms

I've encouraged my son to go for a walk with one friend and a bike ride with another this weekend, as he hasn't seen another child (other than his brother) since 11 December. It's good for him to get a bit of fresh air and have a chat with a friend.

Mine has met a friend for a bike ride and walk.

My eldest DD 14 does this, she is at home alone at the minute and barely leaves her room, we are both key workers, however school only had a place for my youngest DS.

My DS is getting social interaction in school, she isn’t, so we actively encourage her to exercise/ walk with a friend.

My eldest DD (19) plans on seeing her boyfriend once a week while she rides her pony and he rides his bike. She isn't really in touch with any of the people she used to go to school with since she left last year and her uni have been on blended learning since she started in September, so she only sees class mates once every two weeks and that has stopped now. Youngest DD isn't bothering to socialise at all and is actually loving lockdown as an excuse not go anywhere! She gets outside very day, has a pony of her own to exercise, pet sheep to feed and cuddle and dogs to walk, but I do worry about her having any social life in place when this is all over.

@Branleuse

I would let mine do this, but they are barely leaving their rooms

Yes same here. I have actively encouraged ds to get out and see a friend but he doesn't seem keen. I do know that two of his friends have vulnerable parents, so they may just be being careful and saying they won't see friends currently.

Mine barely have friends so nothing to do.

DD16 hasn’t seen a friend in person since December 21st but FaceTimes daily. DS18 works with one of his best friends three shifts a week around online uni lectures so sees him.
DS and DD get on well so go walks together a few times a week.

I’m not against them walking with a friend, but no one has mentioned it yet.

I think our children should absolutely be able to meet up with 1 friend for a walk of they are sensible. When I need a friend and walk it can easily be a couple hours though.

*meet a friend