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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

She doesn’t want to touch the ball-y’know, because of covid

320 replies

Thecarobsarefalling · 18/08/2021 10:21

We were at the beach last night with toddler Dd, she was happily running around the beach and fairly nearby was a family with two girls, maybe 8/9 years old.
Dd ran near to them (does this fairly frequently) to say hello/wanting to play. The older girl looked almost scared and backed away and said ‘I can’t’ we called Dd away as it felt like an awkward situation. The mum then cheerfully called to me that she probably didn’t want to touch the beach ball, because of covid. She then told her daughter she’d done the right thing. They left, saying a cheery goodbye and for us to enjoy our evening.
Aibu just to find this so very sad.

OP posts:
Seeline · 18/08/2021 10:24

It is sad. But you don't know the background - the girl or someone in her family may be CEV.

And to be fair, all the professional sport I've seen this summer have had special procedures when a ball is handled by eg a spectator, or if the ball goes off the pitch/court etc. Maybe she had seen that happening.

Comefromaway · 18/08/2021 10:24

You don't know their family/medical situation.

Megan2018 · 18/08/2021 10:25

It’s not sad, it’s sensible.
Your toddler is hardly going to be scarred for life. The family were friendly, what more do you want in a pandemic?

Thesearmsofmine · 18/08/2021 10:25

You have no idea what might be going on in their lives.

girlmom21 · 18/08/2021 10:26

It's sad that young children need to worry about Covid but it's good that she's been taught about germs and how to keep safe etc.

RhodesianRidgeback · 18/08/2021 10:28

Yes it’s sad that there’s a serious pandemic and people have to be so scared of contamination. It’s sad for all of the children who’ve had ordinary social development disrupted. I’m not sure if that’s the point you were trying to make.

ThePlantsitter · 18/08/2021 10:28

On the surface, yes, but there could well have been factors that you didn't know about, like the mum dealing breezily with someone's anxiety or something.

CabbagesGreen · 18/08/2021 10:28

Yes it is sad that there is a pandemic and life has changed. I don't think you know enough about the family's circumstances to judge their actions. But yes it is sad that the world may never be as it was again.

notanothertakeaway · 18/08/2021 10:29

I think the family were polite and friendly. Perhaps more cautious than necessary, but that's their call

Yes it's sad, but we're in a pandemic and it won't be like this for ever

Original poster
Thecarobsarefalling · 18/08/2021 10:30

Gosh, I found it so sad.
It was strange to me that she was told to not touch a ball and yet had gone on holiday abroad, sat on a beach in August with people all around them, presumable visited the packed restaurants and shops, stayed in a hotel or villa I imagined, been on a plane and through an airport..but too scared to touch a ball and play with a toddler.
Dd not bothered at all, she was soon playing with another set of children.
These are anxious times, I just felt sad for the girl and found it a very sad situation.

OP posts:
BogRollBOGOF · 18/08/2021 10:31

It's very sad that children have been indoctrinated to fear normal interactions and it will have a long term cost in society.

The chances of catching Covid from touching a beach ball are so low as to be negligable.

Original poster
Thecarobsarefalling · 18/08/2021 10:32

Not really judging the family and they were perfectly nice, just the look on the girls face and how she went from looking so delighted and was about to play with Dd, then as of she remembered and looked so frightened and backed right away. Just so sad.

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 18/08/2021 10:33

@Thecarobsarefalling to be fair I assumed you meant a U.K. beach Grin they could live over there, or feel like mask wearing on planes etc gives them more comfort

Original poster
Thecarobsarefalling · 18/08/2021 10:33

*As if

OP posts:
Original poster
Thecarobsarefalling · 18/08/2021 10:34

@girlmom21 No they were here on holiday.

OP posts:
Thesearmsofmine · 18/08/2021 10:35

I think you are overthinking it. They could live there or be visiting family rather than it being a holiday as such. They might be worried about catching it out there and having to isolate while away. Who knows.

YouMeandtheSpew · 18/08/2021 10:35

Can you even catch Covid from touching a beach ball?

SirSamuelVimes · 18/08/2021 10:36

@BogRollBOGOF

It's very sad that children have been indoctrinated to fear normal interactions and it will have a long term cost in society.

The chances of catching Covid from touching a beach ball are so low as to be negligable.

I agree with this.
Bryonyshcmyony · 18/08/2021 10:37

It's a bit stupid - surely the chance of catching Covid from a ball is almost non existent? If they were CEV then why on a (busy?) beach?

Original poster
Thecarobsarefalling · 18/08/2021 10:38

@Bryonyshcmyony Exactly 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
Seeline · 18/08/2021 10:40

TBF OP didn't say they were abroad, on holiday or on a busy beach.....

godmum56 · 18/08/2021 10:41

their choice though.

CabbagesGreen · 18/08/2021 10:44

Yes this is strange times. It's ok to feel sad. Just try not to judge.

Bryonyshcmyony · 18/08/2021 10:45

@godmum56

their choice though.
Yes but it's also quite reasonable to find it silly and sad.
CabbagesGreen · 18/08/2021 10:45

[quote Thecarobsarefalling]@Bryonyshcmyony Exactly 🤷🏻‍♀️[/quote]
So you are judging them?

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