Have you started taking young children out?

[Spainintherain]

Our children have been only to parks and woods for our exercise since lockdown began. They are 3 and 1. We have started to see family, mostly at our home too. Has anyone started to take the children out, to shops or anything yet? I don't really know what to do as my eldest is getting bored.

Of course, why would you not take your children out?

DS is 7 so a bit older but I've been taking him out since the start. No choice really as I'm a single parent. I take him to shops too, why wouldn't you? It's allowed.

Dd is back at pre school so she regularly goes there. Sometimes she comes to the shop with me. Also to visit relatives. Walks etc. We haven't gone anywhere particularly busy but definetly taking them out and about

Mine started coming to the shops a few weeks ago, I'm not a single parent but sometimes I take them for non essentials. Keeping them away from society any longer will just cause more issues, they need to learn how to behave in public, if we all keep our kids inside for months/years they won't get to learn how to behave.

I take my dd to the shop occasionally. Today we met up at a country pub with her best friend and their mum. We sat at the same table with a bit of space between us. We’ve visited her grandparents on both sides in their gardens.

Mine are older than yours, but I've not taken them shopping, except for new shoes (only the 9 year old).
Weve been further afield than the local parks tho. The beach us about a 40 min drivem and we went there for a play and fish and chips. Went to a local nature reserve today, which us a similar distance away, hoping the fabulous playground would be open, but it wasnt.
I've told the 9 yr old we will go scope out the local park when his brother us in school tomorrow.
Both have had haircuts yesterday.
Only managed to see Mum once - hopefully more often now sleeping there us possible.

Basically, I havnt taken them somewhere inside unless they needed to go, but we have ventured more widely to child friendly places outside.

I haven’t taken mine to many shops as I can’t rely on my DD to socially distance but to be fair I don’t think I’d be taking her to shops with her baby sibling anyway as it’s just stressful. We’ve been to smaller corner shops with her on the buggy board. We’re going to be booking things like zoos and farms for the next few weeks

No but I have a baby and he doesn't need e entertaining in the same way. Do the children really find shops entertaining though? I just dont feel it's worth it.

No, but we're in Wales where the rules haven't been as relaxed as England. My 4 year old came with me to a supermarket last week for the first time since before lockdown, he wore a mask and sat in the trolley. Otherwise it's been all walks, parks and people's gardens.

I'm a lone parent. My dc have never stopped going out.

Kids have been at school, shops, parks and on public transport in my area throughout lockdown.

Depends where. I'm not taking my son to any shops but then I'm not going to them either yet. He has been out to local country parks and walks etc but won't be taking him anywhere too busy. He is going back to nursery this week since they closed in March so maybe I'll feel more comfortable once we get back into that routine.

Take them to a playground! Mine were in their element yesterday on the swings.

I’ve taken my 1 year old to the shops (more out of necessity than entertainment) & to take away cafes, then more recently the beach, the zoo, the playground and a petting farm ! Mostly for her entertainment but partly to keep me sane! I think now things are relaxing you should absolutely take them
Out if you feel comfortable

I have been caring for my niece once a week while her mum has chemo so been very careful as she and my parents must shield. I'm a carer for my parents too.

Ok op well that makes a huge amount of difference!

Nope. I have two pre teens and haven't taken them anywhere. DD came with me to collect something from freecycle the other day. On the way back I saw a village garden centre and popped in - but she very sensibly refused to join me and stayed in the car.

They have met friends for bike rides (when the rules relaxed), and we have twice visited my adult friends and their children and sat in the garden, since that became allowed. We haven't rushed to the beach (no loos.....) or any public areas as we live rurally and have plenty of outdoor spaces. I don't plan to go to a pub or anywhere else for a bit - judging by the news there will soon be a massive second spike, and we have granny in her 90s who relies on me doing her shopping - why would we take unnecessary risks?

I've taken both DC (5 and 10 months) to the shops all the way through. DH works long hours so I didn't have much choice, plus it has helped their mental well-being not to be shut away for months.

Judging by the news today there’ll be a huge second spike? Hmm. Same as after the Easter NT swarms, VE Day celebrations, may bank holiday beach trips, school openings for some years, BLM protests, Nike/Primark openings, Bournemouth beach and now pubs/hairdressers? No second spike other than localised issues.

Seeing your family at home, likely for extended periods in the same room, is generally riskier than popping out to the shops.

People's risk awareness is so off through all of this.

Posted too soon, no edit. Meant, there have been localised issues totally unrelated to any of the stuff people have been judging/panicking about.

@Stuckforthefourthtime yes!

mine are at school/preschool 2 days a week. R we had mainly been doing things outside but they did pop in the shop with me a handful of times when u needed to grab something quick. They’ve had friends in the garden to play too.

The situation with your nieces mum does make things a little more complicated. I worries have avoided so many interactions if I was caring for someone in a household with an vulnerable person like that.

Yes our situation with close family I care for being extremely vulnerable has affected our choice. That's why I wondered what everyone else not in the same boat is doing. I have a month or so now when other close family will be going to care for my niece so I can take the children out. We have been to every country park and woodland so need to start doing other things.