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?

Mine at 10 and 12 the 12 year old likes to go out the 10 year old doesn't. But they need to go out for a long walk every other day. We have a garden at least. My husband is high risk so we go later in the day too when it seems to be quieter.

I think it's ok to not have taken them out if you have a decent size garden. We have a long dog walk a day and enjoy exploring the local area. Try that

It seems to be a complete contradiction on here between
You need exercise for a healthy mind, go out for a walk, I would go stir crazy etc etc
To
The vulnerable need to shield

Reading this just makes people who are shielding feel like shit TBH. Storing up health problems because of not going for a walk. And people will say oh no we didn't^ mean the vulnerable^
Well no, but if I read again how we should ALL be getting out every day and how people will go crazy if they don't... it's a bit annoying
I'm pretty sure if you were needing to shield your need for a 2hr walk/run/cycle every day might disappear

I've been home since mid March. Not left the house at all

Why wouldn't you go out with your kids

Read the thread and maybe that question has already been answered?

We live with someone at risk.
There's nothing to do/nowhere to actually go.

I don't really understand why people aren't going out for a walk? Is it because it's difficult to keep 2m away from people? Admittedly I don't live in a big city so I don't really have that problem - and there are few cars on the road so easy to step off the curb to maintain that distance.

I'm in the "stir crazy at home" category. We make sure we walk at least five miles a day, I don't sleep properly otherwise.

We have not taked our children out at all, I don't think any of our children have even been to the front of the house for 3 plus weeks.

We are extremely lucky we have everything we need here plenty of opportunity to exercise inside or out. There really is no need for us to exercise outside of the house and take up space that those in different circumstances may not have alternatives.

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

All posters who are staying home have clearly explained that the children and adults are enjoying the garden.
As to 'why wouldn't you go out' - well obviously to be as safe as possible.
As for competing to restrict lives as much as possible - what a ridiculous comment, I've seen no evidence of this, what an odd perception, people are just staying safe.
we have lunch in the garden, football, trampolining - and nobody scowling about distancing or lingering - I just cannot think of a reason to go to a park right now.

As long as the weather is good, we go.

Some days they balk. Non-negotiable. Otherwise, disordered sleep.

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.

I love the first sentence + "I suppose".

After the semicolon, though....

Mine are home. Have been inside for over 40 days so far. We have no garden either.

I don't really understand why people aren't going out for a walk?

Maybe read the thread then.

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

They're doing that!!

In their nice big garden full of fresh air and other important stuff.

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.

Another lot out rain or shine. At least a 2 hour walk per day plus garden time

Otherwise the kids are like ping-pong balls

I managed to drag DS out today after more than a month at home. He's 15, a homebody and a gamer, though. This is almost his idea of heaven.

Mine are older so have been walking the dogs on their own. My daughter has a friend who has had a kidney transplant and lives in a flat. She’s not stepped outside for 3 months so we walked to her flat today and had a chat with her from outside, we’ve said we will do that every few days. Apart from that we’ve been really lazy. I think I’ve let the house 4 times in the last 5 weeks. I’m not worried about going out at all, just can’t be arsed!

Your garden sounds amazing.

We go out every few days- not every day.

There is a global pandemic. Everyone is just doing their best.

Kasabian23-very true. I don’t buy that we are suddenly a nation into our fitness either! Suddenly everyone is into walking, running and cycling!

It just seems so sad that some people are so unhappy in their homes, to the extent it harms their mental health to stay in it.

Mine are 12,11 and 8 and haven't been out since March 16th. They are happy and healthy in the garden, they don't need to see closed shops and closed playgrounds etc. They know what the outside world looks like, we are normally a very active family but on March 19th I had surgery and since then DH has been unwell with Covid like symptoms (he tested negative) so we are staying in and having a great time actually. The kids do PE with school, they play outside, they fight and argue less than they used to.
I don't even feel a tiny bit bad or guilty about not taking them out, there is no reason for me to. None of the 3 of them are nervous or worried, they are natural homebodies.

@TheEyeOfProvidence

Maybe my question was clumsy - I am just wondering why people don't go out when the advice allows you to go out for exercise even when you are in the shielded group.

I make sure my ds 11 gets an hour a day fresh air. Out cycling or walking, running, or kicking a ball about in the garden.

I try to vary it to stop a feeling of Groundhog Day.

I wonder how many people would normally drive their kids to school and pick them up again. I'm pretty sure most wouldn't be taking their DC on 10km hikes every day normally and being in the garden is probably the equivalent of being in the playground.
I think either is fine. If you stay home and get them outdoors in the garden and keep them busy, great. If you take them out for a walk, great.

And as for the poster who said people restricting are superior the impression I'm getting is those in the 'oh we walk X amount of miles a day' camp are the superior ones trying to make anyone staying at home feel like they are doing permanent damage to their DC. Not all but that's how some are coming across.

This situation has revealed a real desire for people to police each other in everything they do. It would be fascinating if it wasn't so disturbing!

Mine are 12, 8 and 6 and we’ve not left the house at all. The younger two have had occasional bike rides to the park. We have a massive garden, a trampoline and enough space for them to ride their bikes, play swingball, cricket and pet rabbits to play with.
They have had no need to exercise outside the house because they get enough in the garden.

My 12 year old has actually turned into a hermit and won’t leave the house even for a walk/bike ride. So that’s a bit worrying; but she’s just being a sulky preteen.

I don't see the harm. If the children are happy and can get enough exercise and stimulation in your garden, where's the pressing need to take them out? If lockdown continues and they start to show signs of boredom, at least you'll have something new to do with them.

We haven't been out. We are a shielding family. It is what it is. I'm just thankful we have a garden.