kids from different households into garden?

[beammeupsc0tty]

I don't know whether my husband is being OTT or not and interested as to what others are doing.
A mum friend from my son's school messaged me to ask about possibly coming over to spend time in the garden next week with our kids. She understood I may not be keen so just floated the idea to see how I'd feel. We have chosen not to send our child back to school until September (my son has just recently been diagnosed with asthma albeit I believe it's mild and I have a newborn). To be honest I considered it but hubby felt it was too soon and was very anxious about it so I agreed to wait until September. My friend knows we have decided this as we had to give an answer to the school.

Anyhoo onto the garden meet up, I was tempted because my son could really do with seeing a friend, I really feel it would be so lovely and beneficial for him but husband again thinks now is not the time as they won't social distance (5 years old).

I'm kind of thinking yes they won't but kids are less at risk, they are going to be outdoors, is it really that bad as long as I distance from the other adults. I can't convince hubby but it's frustrating me... I keep saying to him what's going to change in 2/3 months?! We can't shield him forever!

Just interested in what others think / are doing.

As you've made the decision not to send your DC into school, it doesn't make sense to then have another little person playing with him (and I guess in very close contact).

Supposedly this it's a mild difference for many, but the only two people I know (from different households) have had it really bad, one passed away, the other is still suffering 6/7 weeks later.

I bet most of people will do this.

Its most likely the ones shouting loudest against schools reopening that are at the beaches.

You can expect the children to socially disrance in a garden as much as a school.

In a school they are properly supervised. In a garden with parents talking to each other not so much.

I agree the risk is low of them playing in the garden and even getting a bit close to each other. But i think that risk is low at school also of properly managed.

I'm already doing this. Social distancing could be in place for a year or more, no way am I stopping my child playing with other children for a year, 2 months was bad enough. It won't be children playing in gardens that push the r number up, that will be the hundreds of groups of young adults hanging in parks not social distancing that I've seen over the weekend or commuters. I've even seen photos of nurses hugging friends on social media, right before they head back into the wards. So no I won't be isolating my child any longer although I'll stick to the rules here which is 1 other household per day.

I wouldn't.

I suppose it’s a case of accepted risk through school as the child needs an education and unnecessary risk through socialising as your husband has rightly or wrongly decided it’s not paramount to your child’s wellbeing.

Personally I’ve decided that life will resume for us in September. My partner has a health condition that makes him vulnerable but he is working in a low risk environment so the least I can do is minimise risk our end.

Personally, I feel that it's essential for my dc to have some social interaction with other children before September. They were ok for the first few weeks of lockdown but I've seen their wellbeing deteriorate over the past month. I also feel that they would be better supervised by me in a garden with one child from another household than in a school environment. We won't be seeing lots of children, just two or three close friends and all on separate occasions. I'm comfortable with that level of risk, bearing in mind that none of the adults or children are vulnerable and we have all followed the rules up to now.

Just want to say thanks to everyone for their comments, all very useful! I'm happy to wait a few weeks if it makes my husband more comfortable but as others have mentioned I think if I keep him isolated for too long his wellbeing will start to take a hit.

It's such a difficult one with us having differing views so I don't want to just overrule him at this point hopefully in a few weeks time he can see more evidence of track and trace and local infection levels that will make him feel comfortable so it doesn't become a big argument.

Weve done this with dd but shes 13 and the other children are 14, 11 and 9. They automatically separated themselves and played games where they dont have to be next to each other.
All four parents are keyworkers so assume kids have had the distancing and handwashing drummed into them from day 1.

My DD8 went and played with a friend today for the first time. She’s an only child and this was the first person she’s seen since lockdown started...they played outside the whole time and it was fab. Ate lollies in the sunshine - there were other kids playing in the communal gardens although she didn’t particularly mix with them. I have no issue with it at all.

One friend to play in the garden is much less a risk than school! Go for it. It’ll do them so much good for their mental health.

Also let my 12 year old meet 2 friends in a garden last week - it’s transformed her

OP, it might be worth bearing in mind that it’s probably safer, statistically, to do it now than in a few weeks when everyone has been out and about and in contact with a lot more people?

Well I feel like an idiot. I thought younger children wouldn't be able to socially distance, so I have declined offers to meet up outdoors, but if this thread is reflective of wider society, maybe I should crack on.My children would love the chance to play with others, but if the R goes up, I don't want to have contributing to that on my conscience.

I have twins so my 2 have each other but I don't know how kids are coping with no company.
We haven't sent them back to school but the school is using rewards for kids who don't break the bubble ( so maybe think about that as in no hugging or kissing as kids might want to that) and also no closer than a thumb. Again do a reward
My kids have played with others on estate as in running around but no touching and not close as all the parents were socially distancing and keeping an eye out but it does them the world of good. Even mine with each other have missed other company.
And for the adults, just be careful. Wash hands and don't eat but take a picnic

We’ve been doing it on and off for a week, always outside. Kids have been forgotten and unfairly treated in all this. How come people can swan around bloody Ikea, work in an office, get on a packed tube and yet our kids are virtual prisoners.

Tricky one. Does the friend's family have anyone working outside the home (and, if so, doing what?) or going to school? Because the answer to that question significantly affects the risk level. If no one in the family is regularly having face to face contact with others outside the home, could you have an honest conversation with the Mum about how many other people they have met up with outside the home? Infection rates are currently falling, but obviously are at risk of rising if everyone gives up on social distancing! Have you checked the Zoe map re current estimated infection rates in your area? covid.joinzoe.com/data Completely disagree with posters saying no point keeping him off school if he's going to meet one friend outside. In school he could be with up to 15 other people inside - clearly a much higher risk!