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?

I’ll find u a chart as one ea skunked in Mumsnet this week but basically rates increase with age

My three have been out for walks/cycling and we have decent garden, but it was her birthday today and we delivered party bags to her friends yesterday morning and she said how strange it as being in the car.

I can't quite remember but I think it's been 5 weeks since they've been to school - so 5 weeks since the car!

It makes me laugh how many obese and unhealthy people who would ordinarily jump straight into their car just to go to the shop down the road all of a sudden want to go out every day for a healthy walk. Nobody is buying it for one minute, we all know people just want to be obstinate and rebel against authority. Don't let these people influence your thinking OP, you are protecting your family from this disease by staying at home as much as possible. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty for that x

I've taken mine on short local walks or bike rides nothing else. The supermarket terrifies me. We aren't going anywhere

We go out every day. I can tell my 3 year old is much happier after being out and about for a while. The baby's enjoying seeing things too.
Yes at times it's strange being out but my DS has seen friends on walks and been so happy after despite just waving.

Here

This shows that those under 40 are honestly worrying to excess

No, I'm not a masochist.

Im not under 40 though...

Maybe

But look at your age bracket per population and weigh up risk

Even over 80s have 85% chance recovery

Well, by that thinking, why are we having a lockdown at all? Looks like nobody is high risk!

15-44 is a massive age bracket!

I'm 46 and the categor from 45 goes to 65 and jumps massively.

I've no underlying health issues, it's just I'd never heard over 40s used before today in the context of being riskier (I'd heard over 50s banded about) and thought "shit, is there something I don't know about?"

They haven't been out of our village and go on a walk outside the house 2-3 times a week. Their choice. I think they're a bit worried as they're old enough to watch the news so prefer to stay home. We have decent sized back garden and also a decent front garden.

We go out for a walk or bike ride every day. It's become a pleasant ritual and makes me feel relaxed. I get a bit anxious if I just stay at home. I think it's good exercise and good for mental health too.

My two dc haven't been out of the house since March 20 when schools closed.
DP is high risk and we think it's risky for me and the dc to go out and be able
to distance from people safely.
They accept that their Dad could be gravely ill if he catches CV.
We have a garden so that makes a big difference. I'm getting twitchy now,I'd love to take them out!

If it suits your family then it is fine. Children are getting fresh air and are active in the garden.

I dont think a walk will make a difference to their mental health. They wont be socialising anyway. Different if they felt cooped up and wanted out. But if they are happy dont feel you have to change what is working.

No, they are 6&4 and they are happy enough to play in the house/ garden. I've been out once to do an ASDA shop since the schools closed and that's it. They're fine, they're healthy. I'd rather stay in than risk bumping into anyone, people are still going out unnecessarily!

Mine have been out for 2 walks (short drive and it's near the farm shop we use), in the car to take a cat to the vet bastard wasn't social distancing and got a nasty bite , and out cycling on the quiet dead-end road before the lockdown proper started. We're going for another walk tomorrow.

DD2 (9) can spend an hour on the swing DH built in the garden a couple of years ago. It was a bit of a waste of space, but the normal swing, and the soft hammock-type chair are getting well used this year.

They would usually have karate lessons, swim lessons, soft play at least weekly, a mile each way to walk to school, going out every other weekend to NT/EH places or into London. They're quite enjoying the change in pace. There's no argument when we go out though.

garden is fine. it is working for you so go with it, the fewer people out the better it is for those without gardens. social distancing for asthmatic child is difficult in the pavements as there is always someone going one way or another. (thankfully we had driven to church so could go in the grounds to avoid those passing)

Some of the comments about exercise are ridiculous.

Mine are 12, 10 and 2. Some days we go for a walk or cycle, many we don’t.

When we don’t, they have a large garden. They probably get more exercise in the garden, tearing around having nerf wars, than those marching their dc around the block for the sake of it.

We've been in for 5 weeks. Kids are in schools with really excellent virtual school facilities so they are busy all day and in between they are playing on a trampoline, water bombing each other but mainly football - just invested in an 8ft goal!
Nothing wrong with being at home and playing ooutside in the garden at all.

Honestly I think it’s very much an individual choice OP.

I’m actually really shocked that the majority of replies are saying they all go out every single day. (Not a judgement. Just an observation at my own apparent unawareness) I didn’t realise most people WERE leaving the house every day.

Which tells you just how different my experience is currently. I’ve not left the house since February. Nor has my ten month old. I was becoming nervous months ago about it and assumed I was being OTT but it ended up coming to fruition. We are not in the shield category. She doesn’t know any different, we have a garden and we have kept very busy inside and outside. She is interacted with constantly and she’s entertained and kept active. I don’t feel I’m doing her damage by not walking her around the block every day and I’m not willing personally to travel for ‘exercise’ if I don’t feel i need to.

I took the guidance to mean stay at home, unless it’s essential you leave. I haven’t come across a day yet where I’ve genuinely felt it’s essential we pace the streets or Walk round a park just because it’s ‘allowed’.

I am very fearful about the whole situation and am aware that’s affecting my choice not to take her outside our own garden. But I also feel fine about that choice. I don’t think it’s damaging to her. There’s no interaction to be had that she’s missing out on, she is more than able to get enough exercise within her own home space and I’d really just rather keep to our own safe space while I can.

I do worry I might really struggle when it comes to it all being lifted. But I also don’t think that it will be much improved by me walking her around empty streets being frightened of touching a fence post, holding my breath if people pass me or wondering if my picture is being taken for someone’s social media post about me being out somewhere I shouldn’t.

So for me personally, I feel able to stay home completely. I don’t feel it’s essential to get out every day. It would be nice, if would make it easier, but it’s not essential (for me...). For others it obviously is I guess?... so do what’s best for you. You’ll know your kid and yourself best.

There will be extremes like me that might be over anxious and extremes on the other end who are doing whatever they can find a loophole to tell themselves they can do what they like. Then lots of others in between who have varying opinions on what’s essential.

Do what’s best for you to keep safe physically and mentally.

My boy is non-stop in the garden - I would disagree with the poster that said not taking kids out = not enough exercise. I think it's very possible for kids to get the exercise they need if you have a garden - and adults can probably get it, without one.

Anyway. I'm not taking our son out every day. Maybe every 3 or 4?

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

Mine havent been out - they are 9 ans 12 so they understand whats going on, and know why they are closed off from the world - they are in touch with friends via skype and zoom are very busy with excellent virtual school and they exercise in the garden which luckily is big.

We're cooking together more, playing board games and doing jigsaws, music practice - we have time. It's working for us - their mental and physical health is really good. Why go out and increase risk of getting the virus if we don't have to? I understand that some people want to, or have to, but we don't - each to their own.

Why wouldn't you go out with your kids? That's really sad. There's no virtue in restricting their/your lives more than you need to. Exercise is allowed, advisable and will be good for everyone's mental and physical health.

Some people are competing to restrict their lives as much as possible- there are no real advantages to that except a false sense of superiority that's unearned. I suppose it makes some people feel more in control of the situation; it's like the activity equivalent of anorexia.

Go out in the lovely outdoors and enjoy it- the weather's been fab. xxx