Ok please don’t bite my head off...

[YippeeKayakOtherBuckets]

...I am just canvassing for opinions as I haven’t made my mind up yet.

DS (17) has a girlfriend, fairly serious, seeing each other for six months or so. She lives a half an hour drive away. He speaks to her everyday but they are obviously missing each other.

She lives not far from a lovely dog friendly beach. How bad would it be if we drive down there to walk the dogs and ‘accidentally’ bump into her? He promises no contact and keeping 2m apart. He’s just desperate to see her in person and says it’s just not the same talking over Skype or messenger.

I can chaperone to make double sure there are no smooching shenanigans. He’s been absolutely rock solid about lockdown, hasn’t tried to go out to meet friends (unlike a lot of teens round here).

I feel really sorry for him. He struggles with his mood and takes antidepressants if that makes any difference. This would give him a much needed mood lift (which is why I’m considering it).

Is this within the spirit of lock down or a total pisstake?

[LunaLula83]

Go for it. The whole thing is a farce anyway

[Poetryinaction]

I would. You are putting no one at risk.

[Namesgonenow]

Just walking along the beach will make everyone feel better

I agree. It would. It would really really make me feel better right now. So why are we not all being allowed to do such things? Why are beaches being patrolled? How can people still not see this?

[Fidgety31]

OP I would take him - but I would not chaperone them - he’s 17 not 7 !!

[LastTrainEast]

If you kept your distance no one would know, but they would find it hard staying apart and they'd want to do it again tomorrow anyway.

Anyway remember the reason for these rules. It's so that people like his girlfriend won't die horribly. Statistically they probably won't even if they do hug, but everyone has to think "what am I willing to bet"

[LastTrainEast]

"it's no different to him going to the shops and being in close proximity to several different people." which is a necessary journey. How can there still be people who haven't understood the difference?

[Rosehip10]

Total piss take. Your DS and his girlfriend need to act like the adults they almost are.

[BenjiB]

I’d let him too. As long as they keep to social distancing. It’s about using common sense. You’re just as likely to have an accident in the house as you are in the car.

[pfrench]

This whole thing is not a public order issue, it's a public health issue. You can do this, maintain the distance.

[Whatnametomorrow10]

I sympathise I have a DD17 desperate to see her boyfriend (been together for 15 months) they live a 15 minute drive away but it’s not classed as essential- they don’t live ‘passing a shop’ etc
They haven’t seen each other they’ve asked but I’ve said no - I feel bad but both family’s have younger children. As I said to my daughter if you did make them sick - and something happened to him or his family she would have to live with that. (Dramatic I know) but she understood.
Also good practice for once they at different universities!

[NoMorePoliticsPlease]

No. I think it says something in our country that so many people are looking to bend the guidelines. Its as if the threat of this virus isnt quite real. Does one of your neighbours have to die for you to get it.? People who let their adult children come to stay from London, My friends in Italy cant believe us. He wont die of missing his girlfriend

[Genderwitched]

For what it's worth OP, i'd do it as well...although I know you have already decided against. I really wouldn't ask questions like that on here, you know that you are going to get loads of people telling you that you must stick to the exact letter of the rules. But in reality, you know your son best and what is best for him.

[Freelancegirl]

I would do it too. I hope you change your mind. Like a PP said, time it for driving back 8pm on thursday!