Boys on our road still playing out with each other. How do I tell ds he can’t!!

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So heartbreaking telling my 9 year old ds he can’t go and ride his bike with his friends outside. He’s not having it at all and we’ve had such a bad morning. He can see them from the window having a lovely time. Why are people not following the guidelines I don’t get it!! Even worse, he was invited on a bike ride this morning with the boy who lives opposite but I’ve said no. Ds being very very rude and argumentative (not unusual) had to send him to his room 3 times already. Which I don’t want to do but can’t just let the rudeness slide. How can I explain to him how serious this is. He just doesn’t care which isn’t surprising but he just feels like we’re doing it to be horrible.

If they stay away from each other, they still can?

This is hard.

Do you have a street/town Facebook page or a street WhatsApp? You won’t be the only person complaining.

He may not understand now, but sometimes, as a parent, we have to make the right decision, not the popular one.

He will have far more respect for you when he is older, if you calmly stand firm (explaining your reasons), than if you crumble and let him contribute to the spread of CV.

Be firm. I had to be firm. Parents all over the country have to be firm. Dd then voluntarily put self distancing measures in for seeing grandparents.
A bit of sugar helps - here is our To Do list once this is over or, at least eased. It's going to get worse before it gets better so acting voluntarily now makes the worst quicker and easier.

I thought bike rides were fine...?

Mine are playing in. They are on the video games happy as Larry. All their Christmas... Only thing is they have to go run around the backyard every so often.

Problem with bike rides is falling and becoming a problem for A&E. use judgement. Self distance.
Until we are finally locked down.

Is there anything you usually don't let him do? (That's the video games for mine)

I would say those boys are probably going to get poorly or make their parents poorly but if he stays inside he won't.

I’ve offered to take him out on a bike ride myself but he doesn’t want to he’s being so stubborn. The thing is if he’s out with the other boys, I can’t guarantee he’s going to keep a safe distance, not swap bikes etc etc.

@MangoesAreMyFavourite he’s allowed to go on the PlayStation once his rooms tidy but he’s refusing to do that as well. Feeling very sorry for himself and I’m struggling between having sympathy for him or punishing the rudeness that’s coming from him

Self-policing 9 year olds keeping a constant 2 metres apart? Heavier breathing means that distance should absolutely be enforced?

Good luck with that. The sensible option is stick to your guns. It’s a no from me.

Just say No. I feel for you because it is more difficult to be firm when others are doing as they wish right in front of your eyes. We are lucky that none of DS friends are meeting up but catching up on Skype but it must be harder to explain in your circumstances. You have to be firm though. He will understand eventually. Maybe you could be a bit lax re room because he will struggle to understand when he can see others doing things differently.