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

[Dippitydoodle]

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?

You need to get them out for some walks or else you'll store up health problems when this is all over.

Like what specifically? If a family has a big garden, and is exercising in it, as well as pe with joe wicks every week day, what health issues do you mean?

I agree with you @CalleighDoodle

My childs understanding (reception age) of the situation is much better than me taking her out every day.

But they are out in the garden bouncing and running around daily, and surely the point of a lockdown is to keep people out of circulation and all but essential businesses shut, so they are not likely to see any of normal life if they go out for a walk.

I actually think it would be very jarring for children to see a high street that is deserted and shuttered, a library or public pool with big Closed signs at the door, etc.

I don't see the problem. It seems to me you're all having a lot of fun in your garden and staying active.

Not really. Mine have been in the garden and a few walks with the dog but nothing structured or forced. I do wish we could get out more but I am too busy with work.

We haven't. But DS is only four months old and doesn't really know any different and we take him out in the garden every day for fresh air.
We have a potential vulnerability in our household and have been advised to play it safe

Joe Wicks isn't hard though. It's fine for tiddly kids. But not enough for older ones. I'd be seriously worried if my kids found it hard. A brisk walk or run somewhere empty also helps.

DD1 in particular was getting a bit fearful of going out at the start of the lockdown, so we've made an effort to get out most days to make sure it didn't turn into a real anxiety. Small house, small garden, certainly no room for cycling, badminton etc. Luckily we have a big green space close by, and other woods and parks in walking distance.

Joe Wicks isn't hard though. It's fine for tiddly kids. But not enough for older ones

Really? And how often have you done the joe wicks pe class?

Seriously, it is more exercise than most kids in this country get on a normal day.

It sounds like they’re very active

Leaves more space in the park for people with no garden.

So jealous at the thought of you having a big enough garden that you don’t need to go out. We have to go out as we have a tiny patio garden. As long as the children are exercising and are happy then does it really matter what they’re doing?

That’s quite sad

It’s not about just excuse for mental health

Just getting out and seeing others and the town even if afar

Mine have been on walks up to 10km a day

We have hardly seen anyone but we’ve fed ducks, rode bike and generally been out and about

Stuck in garden is mind destroying

Not to mention the fear factor your instilling

If we had a large garden I'm not sure we'd go out everyday. I would love a large garden and my kids would happily play football there.

That said it was lovely to go to the park yesterday walking around the lakes and looking at the trees.

The risk to children and basically anyone under 49 who’s healthy is almost non existent

To not leave house suggests some paranoida I’m afraid and it isn’t healthy

Of course don’t meet others but the risk to healthy Unser 40s isn’t worth talking about

I actually think it would be very jarring for children to see a high street that is deserted and shuttered, a library or public pool with big Closed signs at the door, etc*

This is part of the reason my children haven't been out (the elder one has been out on his bike a few times with DH), but we don't go for daily walks with them.

We have a big garden and they seem perfectly happy running around most of the day in the garden, so I don't really see the issue of not walking them up and down the streets looking at things that they can't go to?

I get that for a lot of people going out and about is really helping them, but if your family are happy enough playing in the garden, is there really any harm in not taking them out daily?

Not 49

40 I mean

I didn't for the first 4 weeks . We have a big garden etc.

We now go for a walk to the field around the corner . They are really enjoying it and are a lot happier. We don't see an awful lot of people but its a change of scenery which I think they need

Is there a risk for those aged 40+ Sunshine?

I think some of these responses are ridiculous. The OP's children are clearly getting time outdoors and exercise. OP, you know your own children best. If they are happy playing in the garden, no need to go out for a walk just for the sake of it. If they are getting restless or seem a bit down then it's probably time for a change of scene.

middleager

I mean the number of cases rise with age but the vast majority are much older

Under 4o, even 50 the risk is almost nothing and even less if no underlying issues

Majority of those who’ve died have had 3/4 underlying issues in addition to age

Yes the odd one who’s healthy has died but weight up odds

It’s practically non existent for some groups

Some of the replies on this thread are ridiculous. There is nothing 'odd' about the fact your children haven't left the garden for a few weeks, neither have mine. It's what we're supposed to be doing. They are physically and mentally healthy, exercise is possible at home! Yes mine miss school but they're enjoying home learning, we're keeping to a routine.

If some people carry on stretching the 'short daily exercise as a household close to home' rule to 'I go for a run for a few miles, then my DH goes for his cycle ride for more miles, following that we take the kids out for a while with the dog, then the dog again' we'll soon find ourselves under a much stricter lockdown.

@Sunshine1239 can you be more specific? What are the death rates in each group? And why under 40 as a bench mark? Ive two primary age children and am
Certainly
Not under 40.

So sad that children are paying for their parent's anxiety.

Of course children who are not taken out to see new views or to receive new stimulation will appear happy running around in the same garden for 6 weeks. They have to get on with what is in front of them and they have no choice. That doesn't mean that they are not affected and it certainly doesn't mean that it is a good choice.

Our Government quite specifically added a period of going out for exercise into the activities allowed during lockdown, because they received advice about the positive benefits of doing so.

I live in a major city and all parks are closed. So if we went out, it would be to walk around city streets... seems totally pointless. So no, ours haven't been out. They're both under 4 though so they've barely noticed anyway.

It's not ideal. I would prefer them to be getting more exercise and being out and about more, so I start feeling bad about that sometimes. But then I just remind myself - it's only been 4 weeks. And will probably only be 4-8 more. It FEELS like an age to me, but I don't think it's going to have any major long-term effect on them.