Birthday party WWYD?

[mynameisnotmichaelcaine]

DS is 7 on Tuesday. Party planned for Saturday 19th - we're having an outdoor picnic and some games. DS has invited five friends - all of them are in his class at school and therefore he's inside with all of them 6 hours a day every week day.

I am planning to still hold the party but I will stay inside with the bi-fold doors open and keep at least a 2 metre distance from DS's friends (apart from in an emergency obv). What do you think? I am a natural rule follower, but given these kids are already bubbled, it just seems so unnecessary to cancel the party.

I don't see a reason to cancel tbh. Outdoor transmission under those circumstances is unlikely, so I'd go into the garden occasionally.

That’s going to be more than 6 people though....that’s not allowed.

@FelicityPike Why? Parents won't stay. My DH and two teenagers will go out for the duration. DS plus five friends, plus me at a social distance. That's seven.

I'd go ahead.

Its now technically illegal.... but as you say if they're bubbled together all day anyway I can't see the problem risk rise.

@FelicityPike Sorry, I thought you said a lot more. Yes, by the letter of the law. But these kids are together inside ALL DAY on school days. How is it unsafe to have them together in my garden when they're already together for 30 hours a week.

So including you it will be 7? I think that's fine. Otherwise you have to disinvite 1 which feels pretty mean in the circumstances. I mean you could ask the parents what they think, it might mean one pulls out anyway.

So you won’t be outside at all during this party?
Opening bifold doors (to me anyway) creates a join between the two spaces creating one big space. I know that that is immensely picky and I get what you mean about them being in school together and I know it’s sad for your son.....but I really just wouldn’t.

I’m not saying it’s unsafe, I’m just saying it’s the law.

@Normandy144 I did this and all of the parents have said they're happy to go ahead. In fairness it's possible that by next weekend one of the children might be in self-isolation anyway, in which case problem solved.

I think parents will be reluctant to send their kids tbh.

I don't think it would increase the risk, but it would make it illegal.

Rather than uninvite one, you could split it into two separate parties? 2 friends one day, 3 the next.

Technically it's illegal. But it's up to you if you want to chance it. I doubt anyone would report you.

But you need to stop going on about them being together at school. The rules are different and different for a reason. Everyone just needs to get over that.

@FelicityPike I know, but I see this particular event as breaking the law like taping off the radio was breaking the law. I would 100% not hold this party if the kids were all at different schools - I can see how that would increase risk. This party simply doesn't though.

I am a rule follower but as they are all in the same class I'd say it's acceptable

Too much to hope you're in Scotland? Where under 12 don't count in the 6.

If everyone else goes out I would be ok with this however be prepared in case nosey neighbours report a party

@windyautumn I don't think it's irrelevant. If they were in different schools I wouldn't hold the party. Safely comes from minimising the amount of social contacts you have and these children are already DS's social contacts - we're not introducing new people iyswim.

What will you do if it rains?

@Michellebops It's quite a drive to Scotland for a kids' picnic but I am slightly tempted 😂

I think you should ensure hand sanitising when they enter and before eating. Sanitise whatever the kids are going to be jointly handling as well as your door handles, loo taps, toilet seat and flush handle.

These get done periodically throughout the day at school so if you recreate these precautions, you’d be doing all you could to reduce any potential issues.

Well from Monday that will be against the law.

Can you bring it forward to this weekend?

Also how are parents dropping off their kids? I would contact parents (as another post to said) to check if they are okay with it. It may be that someone decides to pull out anyway and then you’ll be good to go.

@Reastie Gazebo. Also they're all coming in their Forest School gear if the sky looks grey.

Sorry I wouldn't. I totally agree it doesn't make sense in your case, but it's the law and I'd be wary about nosey neighbours. Hopefully someone drops out.

[quote mynameisnotmichaelcaine]@windyautumn I don't think it's irrelevant. If they were in different schools I wouldn't hold the party. Safely comes from minimising the amount of social contacts you have and these children are already DS's social contacts - we're not introducing new people iyswim.[/quote]
Yes, but the rules are different no matter how much you overthink it. You can't have them in your house but they can mix at schools. It's just the way it is and isn't a defensible argument if you're caught out.

I don’t think you should. I get that it’s hard but what message are you sending to your child? We all have to follow the rules to keep safe but not you because it’s your birthday.

I don’t think it compares to taping the radio as that wasn’t to protect the vulnerable in a pandemic.