Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Feeling bad for taking the kids out

32 replies

nonamemummy · 22/07/2020 07:31

It’s now the summer holidays and my kids are home for 6 weeks. I want to take them out places but I feel bad because I feel like we should still be at home? It feels unfair when I’m seeing these pictures of busy beaches etc. Where can I take my children that isn’t going to have big crowds?

OP posts:

Bagelsandbrie · 22/07/2020 07:34

Why would you feel bad...?! We’ve been encouraged to go out. Unless you’re high risk just go for it. Just try and keep some distance, wear masks if necessary etc.

OpheliasCrayon · 22/07/2020 08:21

We are currently on holiday in a very touristy place (staying with friends) and it's heaving. There is absolutely no distancing whatsoever, literally none - even if someone wanted to distance, it would be physically impossible.
When we get home I will continue taking the kids out to anywhere that is open and I won't feel bad about it. The holidays are long, I need to keep sane

Waxonwaxoff0 · 22/07/2020 08:23

Of course you don't need to stay at home. Cinemas, zoos, parks are all open now, you are allowed to use them. Don't let people make you feel guilty. I'm taking DS out and I don't care if there are crowds.

userxx · 22/07/2020 08:23

Why do you feel like you should be staying at home? Boris is encouraging people to get out and about. It's time to start living again.

tappitytaptap · 22/07/2020 08:24

Do you feel guilty because of people in real life or on mumsnet OP? I find the latter not reflective of real life at all!

pandafunfactory · 22/07/2020 08:25

It's ok, you can take them out now. Look for places that are taking bookings to limit numbers if that will help and go to the beach early. Then by lunchtime when it's busy you will be ready to come home for a chill afternoon with dvds.

Purplequalitystreet · 22/07/2020 08:28

There are lots of places where you can social distance. If you are worried then just avoid the most popular spots. Transmission in the open air is very low. Please don't feel bad and get out there and enjoy the summer. You may regret it if you don't and then we're locked down again.

Original poster

nonamemummy · 22/07/2020 08:35

Thanks everyone. I suppose because for the last few months I’ve had to keep them shut inside I feel like it’s kind of the normal for me at the moment. I kept seeing people post pictures of crowds and shaming them so just felt people don’t really want people out? I don’t know. They are 3 and 4 years old and need to get out

OP posts:

Waxonwaxoff0 · 22/07/2020 08:38

The people who are shaming others can fuck off, quite frankly. Sick of people acting like they have the right to police others.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 22/07/2020 08:39

You've never had to keep them shut inside by the way. I'm a single parent so DS has to come with me everywhere, including the supermarket.

ThursdayLastWeek · 22/07/2020 08:41

I think it’s fine. We live in a very touristy area but because it’s our home we know the best times/places to go out and where to avoid. You’ll be able to do the same in your area I’m sure.

ophelia has summed up why I’m reluctant to go anywhere this year - it’s hard to feel in control when you don’t know the area. I hope you’re still able to enjoy your holiday!

userxx · 22/07/2020 08:42

so just felt people don’t really want people out?

Those people are demented. They want us all to stay locked up for the rest of eternity. Fuck them 🤷‍♂️

HandsOffMyRights · 22/07/2020 08:45

I'm making the most of it. I've been working flat out, so have they. Now is the time to enjoy some family time.

We've tried to go to the park, but now that some places are open, we will go further afield.

If we are cooped up this winter, then I want to enjoy this freedom now. Haven't seen a beach in a year and I want to feel the sand between my toes and give the kids an ice cream.

These are life's pleasures.

OpheliasCrayon · 22/07/2020 08:46

@ThursdayLastWeek

I think it’s fine. We live in a very touristy area but because it’s our home we know the best times/places to go out and where to avoid. You’ll be able to do the same in your area I’m sure.

ophelia has summed up why I’m reluctant to go anywhere this year - it’s hard to feel in control when you don’t know the area. I hope you’re still able to enjoy your holiday!

The lack of distancing doesn't bother me. I don't live in a touristy area but for some reason no one has distanced where we live (doesn't make sense really there's loads of older people but, everyone makes their own choice). But, if I wanted to keep a distance I would be very upset / stressed out. And if I lived here and wanted to distance... likewise. As it goes were having a lovely time. As ever we do try to keep away from people--. We couldn't care less for ourselves but have taken the approach from the start to assume people want to distance and for us to keep away. We have given in on the beaches though it's just not happening

Lindy2 · 22/07/2020 08:56

I'm quite cautious but I've been regularly taking my children out. They need fresh air and exercise, so do you.

We've done walks which haven't been too busy. We have a National Trust garden booked and an RHS garden. Both limit numbers and allocate time slots so shouldn't be too crowded. I've taken the kids to paddle in a stream, play tennis and I did go to a quiet playground the other day where they played and regularly used hand gel.

I'm definitely not up for pubs, indoor dining, cinemas or anything too enclosed right now but I've found there are enough quieter outside options.

Don't feel guilty about going out, just plan ahead and go to places where you can have enough space to feel comfortable.

Coronabored · 22/07/2020 09:03

We are currently on holiday. Pretty easy to distance even on beaches. Don't put your life on hold and deprive the kids of some normality, as that is not fair at all

Lockdownseperation · 22/07/2020 09:09

DH is shielding and part from the days when we had to isolate and a couple of days when it pissed it down all day we have been outside everyday. We live near the beach so we have been there regularly, in our area weekdays on the beach are quiet but weekends are busy and the promonade is always busy.

We are going to parks early and leave when it gets busy. I’ve found drizzly days and the less exciting parks make it easier to socially distance.

wheresmymojo · 22/07/2020 09:11

I am on the side of being pretty cautious about the virus (for example I started the Preppers Thread about it back in January).

However I feel like shouting from the rooftops - now is the time to be out and about.

The risk now is tiny - the ONS tested 23,500 people last week and 8 were positive!

The numbers are likely to increase when we get into Autumn so people should take every opportunity to live life, go places, see people, get out and about over summer.

As long as you maintain social distancing and hand washing there's really no need at all to stay cooped up at home.

If numbers rise in Autumn/Winter then people who stay at home in summer will feel particularly crap so I would really do as much outside stuff as you can.

BakewellGin1 · 22/07/2020 09:25

Well so far I have ventured to local Children's Animal Farm, play park, a few local parks with ponds/ducks etc, Beach (near us they have always been clear enough to sit away from others)

Next week I'm taking older DS to Forbidden Corner

Other options I'm thinking include
Rivers (with shallow bits to play in and picnics), Other beaches and Parks, may venture further afield to a safari park and smaller theme park later in the Summer.

DH took older DS to a local ish beach front town last weekend and they played crazy golf, walked along the beach and popped into the arcades which were quiet apparantly.

Ten pin bowling I'm going to book for early morning at some point and also a trampoline park.

Both DS have hands sanitised regularly.
Older DS is mixing with friends outdoors now but still indoor contact with only family really.
DH is working away again with others

I feel I need to enjoy the Summer as Winter is long enough without staying in all summer too.

Original poster

nonamemummy · 22/07/2020 09:49

I’m not worried about catching it it’s more that I just didn’t think people wanted people to be out. I didn’t want to be shamed for going out. But it sounds like most people are. Why am I still inside? Haha
Thanks everyone you’ve made me feel much better. I didn’t even realise that all those places were even open yet. I guess it’s a bit more normal outside then I realised. I’ll defo be taking the kids out places now

OP posts:

Staplemaple · 22/07/2020 09:52

Enjoy OP, I find going somewhere early in the day is usually quieter and more enjoyable around here, but it probably varies. The beach wasn't too bad when we went, and most activities you have to pre book at the moment, so you know it won't be busy. That said, most days we have just been for walks and picnics etc, and just played it by ear.

Dotinthecity · 22/07/2020 09:59

The play park near us was full of children yesterday and full of families enjoying picnics. It was lovely to hear the sound of their laughter again! The sunshine and fresh air is good for them. Yes, there will be people moaning and commenting online about "selfish people going out and about." It's always been like that in that different people have different opinions. It's just much more pronounced at the moment and the people who are against life resuming seem to have the loudest voices ....particularly in Mumsnet. Your children will be little for such a short time; go out and have some fun with them. It will do you all good. 😊

VoyageInTheDark · 22/07/2020 10:12

Definitely go out and enjoy yourself! I'm trying to do lots of outdoor stuff with DD before it gets colder. We have been to the beach, the zoo and lots of playgrounds.

JumpingJackFrost · 22/07/2020 12:36

No need to feel guilty, our economy needs us to get out and spend.

Talk to your kids before you go about how to behave so that everybody stays safe, when you're out stay outdoors or in well ventilated areas whenever possible, wear a mask when needed, keep your distance, wash your own and your kids hands regularly..... if you're doing all of this you are relatively low risk and can enjoy your day without guilt.

SengaStrawberry · 22/07/2020 12:45

@wheresmymojo

I am on the side of being pretty cautious about the virus (for example I started the Preppers Thread about it back in January).

However I feel like shouting from the rooftops - now is the time to be out and about.

The risk now is tiny - the ONS tested 23,500 people last week and 8 were positive!

The numbers are likely to increase when we get into Autumn so people should take every opportunity to live life, go places, see people, get out and about over summer.

As long as you maintain social distancing and hand washing there's really no need at all to stay cooped up at home.

If numbers rise in Autumn/Winter then people who stay at home in summer will feel particularly crap so I would really do as much outside stuff as you can.

Totally agree.

Get out now where you can. Keep your distance, wash your hands, wear a mask indoors. But this is going to be the best time to get out.

Flip

1 2