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

[Thecarobsarefalling]

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.

@OneTcThey played together, chasing, building sandcastles etc..why?

Well they were cheery so that suggests they were fine and not sad about it. Everyone had to make their own call.

Why would a 9 year old want to play with a random toddler?

Maybe the 9 year old didn't want to play with a toddler

They may not have. Why use Covid as an excuse? Suggesting to your kids that other kids might have Covid as an excuse not to play with them is even worse than actually being stupid enough to think they would catch coivd from a beach ball. People can't help being stupid.

@ineedaholidaynow Oh ffs, read

@BeardyButton I saw that and I can't get my head round why kids are okay at the moment here. I wanted to start a thread about it but I'm afraid to be called a fear monger

But we don't have any children in icu with covid and the USA is slammed.

@EmeraldShamrock

Older DC don't usually have any time or energy for random younger DC. Covid was probably an excuse or they may have underlying conditions. Not sad IMO.

I agree, there may be a million other reasons why a child is not available for playing. As parent to a SN child myself, I would not to get into a long conversation with random people about why not, so covid would be a good excuse. (He's not any danger to anyone but wouldn't have any concept that he could not just wander off and leave her - I'd hope the parents would be watching her but it's not always the case)

Toddler needs to learn that not every other child on the beach is going to be their playmate.

Toddler needs to learn that not every other child on the beach is going to be their playmate

And parents need to learn to stop using Covid as an excuse.

played together, chasing, building sandcastles etc..why?

Well you agree that closer contact increases the chance of transmission yes?

So when the parents have banned catch it's not because of catch it's because of the inevitability of "played together, chasing, building sandcastles etc"

I don't have kids, but if your toddler had approached any of my nieces and nephews they'd have been welcomed without a second thought but I also understand that not everyone feels that way and not everyone has the same level of risk to manage.

@Bryonyshcmyony lots of people are probably using COVID as an excuse not to see annoying relatives etc.

In a scenario where your child has another reason why they wouldn't want to play with your toddler, it is probably a lot easier to say COVID than go into medical reasons. People have probably got used to using COVID as a reason, and ay some point will have to stop using it.

But actually with cases rising in younger people I too might be cautious with a child playing with a random other child.

If it's in Devon it's probably sensible at the moment 😲🤣

ineedaholidaynow

@Bryonyshcmyony lots of people are probably using COVID as an excuse not to see annoying relatives etc

Christ, I know I am. 🤭

Yeah I think it is sad that a 9 year old feels like it’s dangerous to touch a fucking beach ball. There is basically no risk to that, even if someone is CEV surely.
That said, I guess they can’t be enforcing too sheltered a life on their children if they’re abroad. Seems odd.

Also have to remember your toddler is not as cute to other people as they are to you. Bit like parents who let their toddlers roam restaurants letting them speak to other families, thinking everyone will be enjoying it (and also having you in peace to eat your meal)

I don't think I'd be as dramatic as to say it's so sad in any other way then it's sad that we're in a pandemic. She probably panicked for a moment because she wasn't sure what was safe and what wasn't as we all have- I'd prefer a child to know than be the opposite. It would have been sad if her mum had screamed or shouted at her re the ball or the playing. And yes, it's bloody sad times anyway, if I get one more text from someone heading for a covid test with their kids I'll cry!!!

I don’t think it was about her not wanting to play with an annoying toddler at all (although I’d totally get that!) She was happily chatting away to her, really animated, then suddenly changed as if she’d just realised she was almost about to play.
Sad, very sad.

@ineedaholidaynow It was nothing to do with that 🙄we always keep her away, unless she’s approached by other kids/play is reciprocated etc, yes I can see why people find toddlers annoying at times, as I do myself! I’m always careful about this.

I think it is sad

Maybe it has come from school, as some schools weren't allowing children to play games where you shared equipment/toys etc

@ineedaholidaynow

Do you think everyone should be entertaining your child?

🙄🙄🙄

There’s a certain kind of child who over exaggerated their response to the possibility of physical touch at the moment, in order to gain a ‘you’re so good’ response from their parent.

[quote Thecarobsarefalling]@NowEvenBetter Oh come on, think deeper. It wasn’t about being sad that a child didn’t want to play with my Dd 🤷🏻‍♀️[/quote]

Some people are spectacularly missing the point OP! It's amazing to watch ....

I find people judging each other, without knowing anything about them, kind of sad, really.

As the mother of a seriously immune suppressed child, I suggest you stop judging others and try entertaining your own child.
I also find your judgement of others incredibly sad and unpleasent.