Are you letting your children mix with other kids yet??

[LifeExperimentation]

My 8YO (yr 3, will start back in yr 4) has been invited to a couple of playdates, which I've declined as I've wanted to stick to the rules and wanted to avoid risk of infection.

But, she's missing her friends... and, as an only child, I think she's lonely and missing out on social interaction.

She'll be at school in September in a huge bubble of a 3 class year group.

What's the general consensus??!

Yes outside and with children they've been mixing with in school bubble.
I am however avoiding some as I don't think they are sticking to the rules.
I think it has done them the world of good.

Yes as soon as we were allowed to meet other households outside I got in touch with the mum of DD2s friend to ask if she wanted to meet so the girls could say Hi. My DD2 is 8YO too so same age.

She has also been to the same friends house a couple of times.

If they were a bit older and had social media etc to stay in touch I might not have bothered, but with them only being 8 obviously they don't have their own phone or SM.

In fact it has done me the world of good too and I'm really pleased we did.

Mine are 14&12 and haven been meeting friends for about two months now I think

To be fair I’m north west and other than people over 50 I genuinely don’t know anyone social distancing

Everyone’s working, having nights in the pubs, going the gym now and kids having sleepovers

It’s kind of business as usual here

As pp - no cases here

Well mine have been back at school since 1 June, and now various holiday clubs.

So yes ...

Yes, with friends and family children, they’re also back at nursery 2 days a week.

Yes, running around in the park. My 7yo is a different child on the days we manage to do this, it's so important for them to just talk nonsense to each other and run around.

Yes. Since June 1st. Indoor and outdoor

Yes, they're playing outside.
13yo DS wears a mask as the younger kids aren't good at keeping away. Hand sanitizer is at the back door.

Absolutely yes!

Mine have been in to school, played with friends in the street, had friends over and been to friends. We've met with cousins and friends out and about too. The difference in them for socialising and playing has been incredible and it's clearly very important and necessary for us to help them have these experiences.

I'm personally feeling quite gloomy about the months ahead and the liklihood of a lot of quarantine and isolation over the winter and so really want mine to get out and about and have fun while they can.

I feel like we're stocking up and cramming in freedom and experiences now ready to sustain us through more lockdown time if needed.

Definitely say yes, imagine being locked down again and realising you missed your chance!

Yes. After she went back to school at the beginning of June it seemed pointless to avoid play dates. And I think autumn and winter are going to be so difficult I want them to make the most of it now while they can socialise outdoors. So far we are sticking to outside but not making them social distance. Our friendship group seems to be of the same mindset.

We have been very careful (shielding youngest dd), however in the last few weeks I have let my other dc (15, 13 & 11) meet up with friends. We're sticking with up to 6 of them outside, or just 1 friend inside. They stay as socially distanced as children of that age can manage i.e no hugging etc but not necessarily 2 metres apart all of the time. DS spent yesterday afternoon playing board games in his bedroom with a friend - windows open and plenty of hand washing! Cases are low in our area at the moment and I feel as though they need some time with friends after such a long time stuck at home. I do keep a close eye on numbers though and would review it if things start to change.

DS (11) is also an only child and has been playing out on the street since early June with the other children on the street.

He’s played with his cousins and our best friends’ children indoors and 2 friends from school outdoors.

4 months without seeing another child is way too long in any circumstances.

I wonder if it’s easier to start letting them socialise now, if they went back to school in June / July. Perhaps those of us who are still not allowed near their school are still very nervous and haven’t “moved on” as much / quickly?

Yes shes been to a birthday party, plays with her cousin and we have been on a camping trip with friends who have a dd the same age. Shes going on a birthday sleepover next week and I'll be hosting her party in the garden a week later. She needs to see friends and play/run around again. Shes been glued to an iPad playing remotely with them for 4 months. Besides, they'll all be in school together in a few weeks.

Thank you for all the comments - bit of an eye-opener! Will definitely look to relax things a little now based on the general sentiment here.

Perhaps if she'd been back to school at all or had her usual activities resume, I might have relaxed things sooner. But, I've been so caught up in the horrors of work, perhaps it's passed me by a bit!

Yes, my youngest two have been at nursery and no social distancing there!
Have had play dates at my house/ other people’s houses for my older DS (8) who is in yr 3 so didn’t go back to school this year and hasn’t been mixing with children like the other two -he’s missed his friends. I haven’t banned hugging etc as I think that’s a bit hard to enforce without frightening children who are going to have to go back to school in September. But play dates have been one or two children only and always from same household. Usually outside but they can come inside if weather’s bad. It’s been so good for him!

No. DS (12) is allowed to go out and hang out with other kids, we are very clear about that, but right now he doesn't want to, and I am not going to force him to socialise for the sake of his 'mental health'. I was pretty ill in mid-March and April and it took months to fully recover, DH too, DS had same symptoms, probably Covid, but mercifully much milder. We are happy at home for now, and there is no rush to get back to 'normal'. Just wanted to add my perspective: we are not all in the same place, so you do you, OP.

@Goatymcgoaty

I wonder if it’s easier to start letting them socialise now, if they went back to school in June / July. Perhaps those of us who are still not allowed near their school are still very nervous and haven’t “moved on” as much / quickly?

I’m the opposite - my two didn’t get to go back to school so as soon as the opportunity arose to book them in holiday clubs and/or playdates, I grabbed it with both hands! But everyone has a different perspective, no one is right or wrong on this

I can't believe people are still isolating their dc from other children . Admittedly I'm unsure of the rules in England but in Scotland children under 12 no longer have to socially distance and all our schools are back full-time in 2 weeks anyway.

Yes Ds is staying with a group of friends atm

Really important he spends time with them not just chatting to them online

Yes- mainly outside.

Yes! In Scotland children under 12 don’t have to social distance from each other thank goodness! Hasn’t led to any increase in cases either!

Yes!!