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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Should we go to the panto?

61 replies

curtainsclosed9 · 19/12/2021 09:05

Me and my DS7 are due to go to the panto today. Tickets have been booked a long time and were quite expensive. The town I live in has a fairly high amount of Omicron cases. We are due to go to my parents (both in their 70s) for Christmas and they've hinted that from tomorrow (Monday) onwards that they'd prefer it if we didn't really mix with others leading up to us staying there.

The panto is sold out, so we're looking at a large amount of people being there. My DS is looking forward to it.

Would I be unreasonable to go, or should we give it a miss due to Christmas? Obviously my parents are very important to me. I just don't know what to do.

OP posts:

PotteringAlong · 19/12/2021 09:06

I would go.

DixieSun · 19/12/2021 09:08

I wouldn't go if I were you and it could mess up seeing your parents. I would prioritise

Funnylittlefloozie · 19/12/2021 09:08

I would go. Wear your masks, wash your hands, don't lick anyone. Have a FANTASTIC time. I am not going to the panto this year and frankly I feel a bit gutted about it (not for any COVID-related reason, I just wasn't organised enough).

RaPumPumPumPum · 19/12/2021 09:09

When does it run to? Could you go in January instead?

Tigerwhocameforsupper · 19/12/2021 09:09

We are going to Disney on Ice today with thousands of people. I can’t disappoint my children by not going and if someone catches covid then we will have a quiet Christmas Day at home and do turkey dinner with my parents the week after.

ThinWomansBrain · 19/12/2021 09:10

I went to the theatre last night and on Friday - evryone kept masks on throughout the performance - not the case even a week ago.
I'd go, but both wear masks, go outside if there's an interval.
In a theatre, enveryone is facing in the same direction, rather than moving about and face to face.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 19/12/2021 09:11

Which is more important to you and DS? Panto or going to your parents. MY DD has tested positive so all our plans have been cancelled, you need to think about your priorities. Can you move the panto to post Christmas?

musicalfrog · 19/12/2021 09:11

I would go. Christmas Day is just one day. You can reschedule that if you need to.

DelurkingAJ · 19/12/2021 09:14

We went last night, masked up and had a wonderful time. Both sets of DGP have sent us ‘How utterly marvellous’ messages when we sent them a photo…all in their 70s (albeit triple jabbed, as are DH and I and not otherwise vulnerable). Go and enjoy it and LFT before you see anyone!

Original poster

curtainsclosed9 · 19/12/2021 09:14

Sorry I should have also mentioned that my DS is going to his Dad's Xmas day afternoon, so if we caught covid it would also mean he couldn't go there.

OP posts:

Woodpigeonsnest · 19/12/2021 09:15

Oh, go. I’m guessing your DS has been in school?

hopingforabrighterfuture2021 · 19/12/2021 09:17

Only you can make the decision OP. Although the government are absolutely terrible, the one thing they said that is right is weighing up what’s most important to you re special events/socialising.

We have cancelled all our plans for the next week or so (including theatre) as we are hoping to see family (vulnerable). However, I’m aware that it’s not foolproof and one of us (or more!) could still get covid and we won’t be able to go anyway.

It’s so sad for the kids as well, second year in a row. Good luck whatever you decide.

JamMakingWannaBe · 19/12/2021 09:19

We went yesterday and am so glad we did. It was so good. Ours was sold out too but there were quite a few empty seats. DH and I wore our masks all through the performance - as did lots of other people - and there was plenty of sanitiser.

Elfcandoone · 19/12/2021 09:20

I'd go. We're going to the cinema today and seeing parents in their 70s on boxing day.

Like PP, my kids have been in their germ infested school for the last week. At least no one is licking each other in the cinema (hopefully!)

OneToThree · 19/12/2021 09:21

I’m doing everything I can (panto, ice skating, Xmas shopping, football match) before we get locked down again. If that means missing Xmas day with my parents with us having covid so be it. We’d rather have a life and they would rather we have a life too and deal with the consequences IF any of us catch it.

Newmumatlast · 19/12/2021 09:29

I would test before going, then go, then test. That way you know if panto gave you anything and parents protected

Bubblty · 19/12/2021 09:31

Only you know what you are comfortable with

Joeyandjanicesdayoffun · 19/12/2021 09:36

I cancelled my panto trip yesterday. I felt uncomfortable with the idea of being in a room with hundreds of other people. I have rescheduled for after Christmas.

LumpyandBumps · 19/12/2021 09:38

Go and have fun. I have complied with all restrictions in the past, but life goes on, and we are not locked down at the moment.
We went to the pantomime 2 weeks ago and it was such a welcome break from doom and gloom. The production was a little different as more distanced and safer ( ie the Dame didn’t plonk herself on my husband’s lap and smother him with lipstick kisses this year 😂😂), and we felt comfortable.
Your parents have only hinted about reducing contact with others from tomorrow, so you aren’t even going against their wishes.

FlamesEmbersAshes · 19/12/2021 09:50

I took my kids to the panto last week. We couldn’t go last year and they were so looking forward to it. I felt comfortable with the decision and my DCs had a blast. But I guess you’ve got to do what you’re comfortable with.

notanothertakeaway · 19/12/2021 09:57

I wouldn't go. It's not just about preserving Christmas Day. I wouldn't want to be indoors, surrounded by hundreds of strangers. Feels too risky

Ivchangedmynameforthis · 19/12/2021 09:57

Me and DD are going to the panto today. She has been to school and I work in a SEN school where it is impossible to socially distance. Rightly or wrongly my opinion is I put myself and my family at risk every day out of necessity so may as well enjoy ourselves.

5keletor · 19/12/2021 10:00

I wouldn't, our Christmas plans are too important, and we are seeing a vulnerable family member. I also wouldn't want to accidentally spread the new variant due to it being so much easier to catch and spread before realising you have it - that part is mainly for the sake of others.

sirfredfredgeorge · 19/12/2021 10:06

Sorry I should have also mentioned that my DS is going to his Dad's Xmas day afternoon, so if we caught covid it would also mean he couldn't go there

Children are allowed to move between parents when isolating.

There is a very high chance of you catching it in a theatre in an area with high prevalence of cases, as two low risk individuals, that is entirely up to you, visiting your parents - whether you go to the panto or not - is the riskier decision, not going to the panto doesn't hugely change that.

TeacherMa · 19/12/2021 10:07

Yes, I would go. Unless you are going to completely isolate from now until Christmas, and especially if your child is still going to school, I don't see how a panto (with you wearing masks and washing hands) is any different in terms of risk.

This is my argument. I'm around little ones all day with no masks. Yet I was getting some tsks today from my mum when I said i was going to be doing a lot of Christmas shopping in town. Why is one more acceptable than the other?

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