Will your teenager be meeting a single friend?

[Myfriendanxiety]

Under the new rules will you be allowing your teenager to meet a friend 2m apart in a public place? The guidance hasn’t specified it’s just for adults, but it’s a lot of trust to put in a young person who may be tempted to meet more than one friend, or get too close!

[ProseccoBubbleFantasies]

My 18 yr old already has, and I don't like the phrasing of the OP, although I guess it could be regarding younger teens.

But to assume young adults are better or worse than older adults purely because of their age rankled.

[SE13Mummy]

Yes. I trust my 15 year old to meet up with a friend and stay 2m apart. She did it last night and as the pair of them are extremely risk averse, I wasn't concerned that they'd struggle to stay apart - they were thrilled to see each other in real life.

[Inforthelonghaul]

Mine are both older teens and are meeting up with their boyfriend and girlfriend. We have talked about social distancing and risk but am in no doubt they will not stay 2m apart unfortunately but am also unable to stop them. It’s been really hard for them and had it happened 30 yrs ago I probably wouldn’t have listened either.

[bigchris]

I would frazzled

I also think teenagers are suffering the most, they need to be out and about with friends at this age , we've had a teenager found in a local park commit suicide here, he'd left a note saying he was worried lockdown would affect his chances in later life because of schools being closed, so sad

[Frazzled2207]

So older kids can do it, is is technical allowed for younger kids to do it chaperoned by parents do you think? Seems unclear.
My eldest is 6.

[Frazzled2207]

On our evening walk last night we saw some pairs of teenagers sat in the park 2m apart, they looked very relieved to have new company.

[bigchris]

@samandpoppysmummy thats lovely

[HalfMyLife]

@bigchris because for various reasons, I couldn't trust them to keep 2m apart. And I can't let her play unsupervised.

I've told my 13yo that he can meet up with his friend, but he can't mention it to his sister. He's been going out for bike rides on his own for his daily exercise anyway.

[samandpoppysmummy]

My 14 year old DS went on a long and hilly bike ride with his friend today. He was so happy when he got home and properly tired when he went to bed tonight for the first time for ages. He gets on well with his sister but he has missed seeing his friends so much and it really lifted his spirits. My DD Is going for a walk with her best friend tomorrow. They are both lucky that their close friends live only 5 minutes walk away.

[ifonly4]

Mine is 19 and hasn't said anything about meeting a friend. We knew someone fairly early on who lost their life to it - she's not overly worried how it'd affect her but has taken on the importance of restrictions seriously.

[bigchris]

And also why aren't you letting your 13 year old do it ??

[bigchris]

HalfMyLife why can't your 8 year-old see one friend ?

[MamaGee09]

No thankfully lockdown is still happening in Scotland.

[HalfMyLife]

worse for her

[HalfMyLife]

So glad I found this thread.. My 13yo has been asking to go for a bike ride with his friend.. They've chosen to bike because it'll be easier to keep 2m apart. They're both extremely sensible. I've said no, but mainly because my 8yo is so upset that she can't do the same, and it's been right on her because she doesn't have the online socialising that her brother has.
Its a tough one

[Bluewarbler27]

Yes of course if they want. My daughter will see her friend. Not sure my son is really bothered though.

[Catsmother1]

My daughter (18) is going to meet up with her boyfriend. I’m fine with that. She has anxiety, and she is much improved when she is in his company. I just wish he could come to our garden instead of the park. I just hope it stays sunny.

[HeffalumpsCantDance]

Well, we need to end the stalemate, and if schools are going back in June, then maybe all the smaller groups meeting up against advice is actually what’s also needed. Along with neighbourhood garden bbqs and the like. Time for everyone except the highly vulnerable to buckle up and face the ride. Let healthy teenagers lead the way!

[SlightyJaded]

Oh. Matt Hancock has expressly said 'No' to gardens.... :(

www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/government-reveals-whether-you-can-18236394

[SlightyJaded]

@JellyBabiesSaveLives. It's vague isn't it? Guidelines are 'not homes' but gardens do seem safer. Ours can be accessed via a back gate and I could set two chairs up a fair few metres apart and know that some jogger isn't going to cough all over them. I would stay in the house so DD's friend would only be in contact with the one person she is allowed to be in contact with (DD). But I don't want to be one of those people bending the rules to suit. I wish they would clarify if 'outside' means garden.

[Qasd]

I have said yes she can if the other parents agree, I suggested they walk the friends dog together in the forest where social distancing will be easier.

[RufustheLanglovingreindeer]

Yes i hope so

She is a bit low at the moment for various reasons but she Also had a fledgling romance a few weeks before lockdown and she misses him (She won’t be seeing him for a little while longer)

Seeing a friend might be a Bit of a boost for her

[CatyaPurella]

I was only going to stay my distance, not even within earshot.

[RedskyAtnight]

@CatyaPurella My 11 year old has been on at me this afternoon. I agreed she could meet her friend if I went too. Seemed reasonable to me.

unfortunately not "reasonable" in terms of the guidelines. 1 person can only meet with 1 person from another household. So your DC's friend can't meet up with both you and your DC. I'm actually thinking this is a reason for the "1 person" rule - if children need an adult with them to ensure social distancing, then they are too young to be meeting others socially.

[beachdays123]

Are we expecting teenagers to stay 2m away from their boyfriends and girlfriends until there’s a vaccine or social distancing is no longer a thing then? Personally I think it’s really tough on them...