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Original poster

Has anyone else not taken their kids out since lockdown began?

279 replies

Dippitydoodle · 26/04/2020 22:45

I've not taken my daughters out since lockdown began. We're not in the 'at risk' group, no existing health conditions I'm concerned about or anything. They've not asked to go out and we have a decent sized garden so they're outside at somepoint most days. But I'm beginning to question my judgment. Just curious if your all making the most of the allowed exercise time and going out with the kids? Am I wrong in not taking them for a walk round the block or a run on the field when I go with the dogs?

OP posts:
scrivette · 26/04/2020 23:02

Mine (8&4) have only been out about 5 times. We have a decent sized garden and spend all day bouncing on the trampoline so I am not worrying about exercise.
They aren't bothered about going out and the only times they have asked they have been taken.

Doyoumind · 26/04/2020 23:02

I can't imagine not going out at all. We go out for exercise every day. It's not healthy for the body or mind to be in the same environment for so long.

CalleighDoodle · 26/04/2020 23:03

If the children are happy at home leave them at home. For fuck sake how many Millions do the government have to waste in campaigns telling people to stay home. Just fucking stay home.

STAY HOME.

CaryStoppins · 26/04/2020 23:03

We usually go for a short walk every day or every other day, longer walk or to the park at the weekends.

SunnyNights · 26/04/2020 23:03

We have a a garden, and take the children out for a walk everyday. Two or three miles for a change of scenery and exercise.

It's more for their mental health than the exercise really.

KindKylie · 26/04/2020 23:03

We're out everyday on bikes, or walking or running. There is no way I could keep my children that cooped up. I want mine to stay fit and exercise properly, and I also want them to see the beautiful spring flowers and interact with the wider world.

It's completely up to you but there's no way I could do it.

Original poster
Dippitydoodle · 26/04/2020 23:05

I don't even think it was a conscious thing initially. It seemed fairly busy with people walking etc to begin with and I struggled enough to keep the 2m with just me and the dog. Then because they didn't ask an seemed happy outside it just stuck!

They are 6 and 8 and don't stop when they are in the garden. We have a trampoline, bikes, scooters etc and they've made a running track for racing each other and we've ve been making obstacle courses and dens. So it's not that I'm worried about lack of excercise, more lack of being outside our own little bubble.

Thank you for all your different points of views though. I think il take them out on their scooters tomorrow.

OP posts:
Haffiana · 26/04/2020 23:06

Exercise boosts the immune system. Exercise and fresh impressions boosts mental health which also boosts the immune system.

Time for you to make an informed risk assessment on their behalf perhaps?

ElegantAndtired · 26/04/2020 23:07

That doesn't sound like a healthy thing to do, no. Why are you not taking them out @Dippitydoodle? i don't understand. It will affect. their mental and physical health.

WomanIsTaken · 26/04/2020 23:08

Definitely going out! We have a garden which they play in, but I want them to have sustained cardio every day as they normally would through running around, so we try to get out for a bike ride or long walk every day.
Also DC1 is prone to bad anxiety, and the last thing I want is for her to start over-playing the dangers of transmission (and I say that as someone whose close family member died recently of confirmed Covid-19, so definitely not underestimating its severity) and decide she's not leaving the house, so our daily jaunts are also for the purpose of keeping anxiety in check.

elliejjtiny · 26/04/2020 23:09

We've only done it once (last week). 5 year old ds is autistic and has worked out how to escape his toddler reins. He doesn't understand social distancing so I have to carry him if we see anyone to make sure he stays 2m away from them.

DDIJ · 26/04/2020 23:12

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

MuchTooTired · 26/04/2020 23:12

Mine are 2, and they’ve not been out since a week or so before lockdown. We’ve got a large garden and they’re happy playing outside so there’s for us we don’t see the point risking them.

It’s not for everyone, but we’re all happy enough so we’ll continue as we are.

blue25 · 26/04/2020 23:13

Can’t imagine just keeping them at home. We’re out for an hour every day. Walking in the woods, fields. We also have a garden, but I know It’s really not healthy for us to just stay at home.

meowcatmeow · 26/04/2020 23:13

Kids are 10 and 15, they have to walk the dog for an hour every day. DD is also training indoors everyday.
Mine need to be outside otherwise sleep and behaviour go downhill.

GlomOfNit · 26/04/2020 23:13

Calleigh, what are you on about? The government has not ever said everyone has to stay at home and not go out. We are allowed (at some points I'd say, were encouraged) to take a daily exercise away from the home.

I would be stark staring mad by now if none of us had gone out for exercise. OF COURSE we go out and take the kids with us, every day. We live in a lovely semi-rural area and social distancing is fine - we know the pinch points and are prepared for them, always carry hand gel for gates, etc. But people in inner cities have managed to take their kids out for walks too. Why the hell would you NOT take children, especially small ones, out for exercise and to refresh their minds a bit? They'll find it very hard to settle back into education if they've been starting at four walls for months on end.

MotherOfMonkeys0 · 26/04/2020 23:14

I'm not taking my 3 out either. They have no interest in it. They know they can't see their friends or play in the park. We have a large garden which they spend most of their time in, cycling, running, climbing, digging..... They all wear pedometers and easily reach their daily goals. Happy, healthy, why go out if you don't need to?

Sheeeeesh · 26/04/2020 23:18

We walk every single day. Its been really good for us, we've gradually built up our pace and stamina. We also have a large garden with badminton, trampoline, table tennis, bikes, which they use each day. But it wouldn't be enough and I wouldn't get my daily exercise which is essential for my own mental and physical wellbeing.
I really don't think its healthy to lock yourself away 24/7.

CalleighDoodle · 26/04/2020 23:20

They'll find it very hard to settle back into education if they've been starting at four walls for months on end.

Ah maybe thats the issue. I can assure you my children are not just staring at four walls all day.

Theyll find it much harder to settle back into education if they've spent months on end going for walks, baking and posing for photos for facebook and instagram, rather than reading, writing and doing some independent study.

sobeyondthehills · 26/04/2020 23:20

No garden, so we have to go out, what really helps is having a dog with a muzzle on, people cross the road when they see him.

DogInATent · 26/04/2020 23:22

Take them out for a walk, it's important for them psychological and emotional development.

You do not want to establish not going out as normal. It could affect them later in life.

mathanxiety · 26/04/2020 23:25

If they're happy in the garden why would you bother taking them out?

nowiknowmynoodles · 26/04/2020 23:25

We haven't been out at all

Guineapigbridge · 26/04/2020 23:27

It sounds odd to me that you wouldn't have taken kids out for that period, yes. Not good for mental health for any of you to have been so closed off from the rest of the world.

megletthesecond · 26/04/2020 23:27

You need to get them out for some walks or else you'll store up health problems when this is all over.
Mine hate going out (tweens) but I've been getting them out 6 days a week. They need the cardio and vitamin D. We managed 8k today and they've been fairly pleasant this afternoon.