Those with young children who can't social distance, will you be meeting up?

[choc27]

So we can meet in groups of 6, potentially see the grandparents etc. I have a 4 year old who definitely will not be able to keep 2 metres away without constantly watching him and telling him to move back. Will you still be meeting up with others if you have a young child?

[lockdownbreakdown]

Also due to husbands shielding my son wont be going back to nursery in September so he needs to see other children for his own well being.

[lockdownbreakdown]

We live in a very low infection rate area. 5 cases a week in the whole region. Therefore I am doing one playdate a week as my child is an only child. Outside transmission rates are low and my child is fairly good at keeping a distance anyway. I dont go inside anywhere as my husband is sheilding and we get food deliveries. Its small risk but my child really needs it.

[PonderTweek]

I'm not sure I will yet. I might consider getting together with my sisters in law as they have young kids, and we all know that we all have been pretty much isolating the whole time. I think my son's Nana is too worried to see the grandkids yet (she is shielding) so probably won't be seeing the grandparents quite yet.

Although I'm still in lockdown mode so I haven't really given socialising much thought yet! I'll wait and see how it goes...

[magnarocks]

I'm struggling with this, I'm conscious that although children might not be the 'super spreaders' they were initially deemed, that ultimately, they can still of course spread infection otherwise the guidance would be that for those who have children and are shielding, that they can return to nursery. And that's not the case.

I feel as if my friends maybe think I'm taking 'the rules' too seriously but again, I'm one of the only ones who is sending our children back to nursery as we don't have any option with needing to work.

[zafferana]

Yes, already have done.

[magnarocks]

Same @sparkle17

[sparkle17]

I wish a journalist would ask them about this issue

[Springhere]

Yes, I've arranged a couple of garden playdates for my dc (aged 4 and 7) over the next couple of weeks. They are both able to socially distance with adults but I know they won't manage it with their friends. They know the rules and I will ask them to try their best. For me, the tiny risk to health is outweighed by the huge social and emotional benefit. We aren't visiting anyone vulnerable.

[SunbathingDragon]

No, not doing it.

[MrsJonesAndMe]

I must clarify that we're not meeting with elderly or medically vulnerable and only one family outside for the children to socialise, twice in the last week since the "meet one person in a public place came in"

One of my children isn't old enough to meet a friend on their own, but has the same needs for social contact with peers as the one who can meet one on one on their own.

[MrsJonesAndMe]

Yes we have already. It's impossible to police, the risks is small and the benefits for them are huge.

[howlatthetrees]

Yes

[Drivingdownthe101]

Yes. My 6 and 4 year olds can socially distance but my 16 month old (obviously) can’t. We will still be meeting.

[savehalloween]

Yes. I will also be resuming the childcare setup I had with my mum as I need to go back to work.

I don't see how it's any different from her hugging a nursery keyworker, in fact it's less "risky" given it's 1:1 only

[stargirl1701]

Yes. I'm in Scotland. The advice for schools is that it is inappropriate to ask young children to practise social distancing. I'm happy for my DC to play with other DC.

My DC are playing with another family's DC right now. As I understand things, 1 household may mix with 1 other household outdoors. Adults, teens and older children should stay 2m from each other.

We will not be meeting the DGPs though. The risk for them is too high.

[SirSamuelVimesBlackboardMonito]

www.smh.com.au/world/europe/experts-fail-to-find-a-single-case-of-children-passing-virus-to-adults-20200430-p54ohi.html

Zero cases of children passing Corona to adults. Let kids play. Probably don't lick them/ each other. Wash hands regularly.

[Opticabbage]

I'm glad someone else asks this. We've not seen any friends or family as I know my toddler will find keeping his distance difficult and most likely upsetting. He is at nursery though, so I feel more responsibility to keep contact minimal for nursery staff.

[Bol87]

I’m seeing my in-laws this weekend & I won’t be getting my 3 year old to socially distance (adults will be). If she can go back to nursery & cuddle her key worker, then she can give her grandparents a hug! Doing it this weekend before nursery starts again & we have more risk. We’ve followed the rules to the letter so far, as have my in-laws. The chances of either of us having it at are extremely low & none of us are vulnerable..

Weighed up the risk. Using my common sense. In-laws live 4 hours away and are making a day trip 😱 travelling very early morning & then home once DD has gone to bed!

[Enormouscroc]

I'm so tempted to let my nearly 3 year old hug my parents. We haven't seen them since March and prior to this they looked after my DD once a week, so she's v close to them and it would be difficult to tell her she can't. We've all been following the guidance to the letter so far. I don't respect this government's handling of the situation and have no confidence in their measures. The BMJ has an interesting opinion piece on children re spreading the virus and also the effects on children if they get it, which has given me some reassurance. My parents aren't in any vulnerable categories. Going to speak to my husband about it but I think I'm happy for her to see my parents without social distancing.

[EyeDrops]

Not yet. We all (family incl. grandparents) agree it would be more upsetting to be near them but try to keep distance. My parents are both vulnerable due to health conditions so I don't want to chance it.

However, we have been pretty much isolating so I'm very tempted to just go for it before DD1 starts school on the 8th, and just let them hug as much as they want. I'm not sure yet.

[notalwaysalondoner]

We’ve had my cousins over with an 18 month old and it is possible to keep them away. Heartbreaking but possible. Some tips:

• physical barrier is the kindest way for the child to be honest. Make a barrier out of chairs or a fire guard before they come over
  
• make it a game: every time they go near the person, pick them up and swoop them away
  

But it’s up to you on the risk you think there is. If there’s no one vulnerable then you might all agree you don’t care.

[SirSamuelVimesBlackboardMonito]

If in a relatives garden could you not put some chairs and a table in the way. (I can’t remember if you are allowed into gardens yet in England.)

How lovely for them. Wave at each other across the barricades, children! We can pretend it's Berlin before the wall came down!

[Lucked]

If in a relatives garden could you not put some chairs and a table in the way. (I can’t remember if you are allowed into gardens yet in England.)

[SirSamuelVimesBlackboardMonito]

Yes. Already have. Will hopefully be able to do more now.

[10storeylovesong]

We have met with my mum on the park with ds7 and ds2. They both understand and kept 2 m apart. I reminded them a couple of times and then they just did it instinctively.