Would I be breaking the rules to take toddler out twice?

[newmumagainn]

I had new born and 2.5 year old. If I went for my exercise in the morning and took them both in the double pram to get toddler to nap, and then in the afternoon DH went for his daily exercise pushing the same toddler on his trike to let off some energy and get some fresh air (no garden) would we be rule breaking?

Is what you want to do reasonable? If so, it's not against the rules.
There are general guidelines - afaik none say that parents have to sacrifice their exercise for their kids or vice versa.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/350/pdfs/uksi202003500_en.pdf

@INeedNewShoes

Yes!! This is exactly my point. Surely our own fitness / need for exercise must come into it too?

I'd think that was fine. It's people going for (eg) sixty mile bike rides every day who are taking the mickey somewhat imho. My DH has sometimes gone out twice just because I am heavily pregnant and can't walk far and need him there in case I go faint (as keeps happening) but I need to get out. He then sometimes goes for a short (20-30 mins) run later in the day as he needs the exercise (which our ten minute stroll doesn't give him!).

It's fine..

Dp and.i have been doing the same, bonus is we each have a break. I'm going to give my lady garden a decent sort out whilst watching Netflix when ds and dp go out later

We catch this virus through proximity to other people and to the things they touch.

If you avoid other people and the things they touch, then this is fine.

I don’t think it’s hypocritical @Yesterdayforgotten, the dog going out twice a day makes no difference to the NHS if it’s walked by 2 seperate people. The toddler is theoretically put at double the risk by going out twice though. Like I said I don’t think the OP is doing a terrible thing by doing this, that’s just my interpretation of the rules/advice (not law I no). It has made me wonder though, my toddler has had a few failed walks with me in the morning where she has refused to walk and we’ve given up quickly and gone home, makes me wonder if I should send her out in the afternoons with her dad instead if people don’t count toddlers in this advice. I’m unsure personally what to do for the best all the time at the minute, like I’m sure many are, so I tend to go on the more cautious side.

TMI

'the dog going out twice a day makes no difference to the NHS if it’s walked by 2 seperate people.'

Hmmm providing it doesnt run up to anybody else who is having their daily walk and is on lead at all times.

Breaking rules yes but do it anyway. No biggie. Don’t tell anyone in Mumsnet though 🤫

@NotEverythingIsBlackandwhite you can't be serious. I have a 4 month old and sometimes he goes outside twice. Once with me and once with DH and sometimes the 3 of us just go out together. He's 4 months old so doesn't get any exercise at all. Should we leave him at home and have him indoors entirely until whenever this is lifted? Use some common sense.

@Alb1 oh yes best to be cautious I think. I've noticed as well time of day makes a difference too. Lunchtimes can be busier but sometimes
this is unavoidable unfortunately. Anybody who had no garden is welcome to take my walk as we don't go everyday.

@amazedmummy exactly common sense needs to prevail here and unfortunately it doesn't for some.

Tetchy! I'm asking if I'm breaking the rules. No need to be a grump about it.
Yes, you are breaking the rules.

As the parent of a toddler I wouldn’t blame you in the slightest - a toddler without regular exercise is a dangerous creature

Yes, that is fine.

Can someone tell me where is says in the regulations that you can only go out once a day to exercise rather than say seven times?
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/350/made/data.pdf

Yes, you’re breaking the guidance. You can go out for exercise for you, but then you can’t take your toddler out again for his. You need to do something together. Go to the park and run around, etc.

I do it! My baby has just gone 1 and if he won’t sleep in the pm I’ll take him out again as he usually sleeps in his buggy if he won’t sleep indoors.

Xenia was it not in boris's initial speech when he first locked us down? One form of daily exercise and one food trip...

There aren’t any rules. There’s the law (no limit on the number of times you can go out) and the guidance (suggests one form of exercise per day). Both of which you’re keeping to, so that’s ok.

Just stay away from people and try to stay sane.

@daisypond not everybody has large open spaces within walking distance so what would somebody do in more of a built up area? Also a 2 year old doesnt understand social distancing so not sure letting them run free in a park would work either...

There's nothing illegal in what you are doing.

The actual legislation says you may leave your house

(b)to take exercise either alone or with other members of their household

That is all, it says nothing about how many times or for how long.

The Guidelines say 'once a day'

one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household

However there are exemptions for various needs

What you're doing us would be 'permitted'

However, I wouldn't take them out any more than they absolutely need to go out. I'd keep the baby at home (plenty of fresh air via open windows) and only take the toddler out when you feel they absolutely need to go out. But that's about their/your exposure, not the 'rules'.

Xenia it’s here

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do

Guidance not law. Quite often government guidance expresses what they wished the law said rather than what it actually says ... (or at least, I have found that to be the case a few times with HMRC!)

If your toddler is in the buggy then technically you are out taking your exercise, part of which is pushing weight around in the buggy. Your toddler is having his exercise with your DH later.

To be honest part of it is about how crowded your area is. If multiple trips out are making it difficult for others to get their turn to be out or to maintain a safe distance then times out need to be limited. In your case you are not increasing that as the adults are only out once each.

My neighbours the other day went out for a family cycle. Couple with 3 DC ages around 10, 6 and 2. Youngest was in a trailer. Later Dad took two oldest to school playground with a ball. Then he was out with youngest on a scooter, then he went out for a cycle himself, and she went for a walk later. To be honest our area is pretty quiet, but it feels like they are taking the piss. She is an NHS worker.

@INeedNewShoes

As you can see from what I just posted it doesn't break the actual legislation to take DD out for a potter then for you to go for a run

But also as I said, going out is low risk, not no risk, so I'm personally limiting going out to what I NEED, not what I can.

They have ADVISED To limit your time outside as much as possible

not everybody has large open spaces within walking distance so what would somebody do in more of a built up area? Also a 2 year old doesnt understand social distancing so not sure letting them run free in a park would work either...hmm

More excuses. I’m in a hugely built up area and people manage fine with their toddlers. Just yesterday I saw a man in the park with his toddler doing exercises and running together. If you have a SEN child, the guidance is different and you can take them out separately or more often.