Kids mixing after Thursday

[Singlebutmarried]

So, if the kids are in school together, in the same class and they live next door to each other. Would you let them play together outside of school?

@CallmeAngelina

Actually, I don't think it IS within the rules, or at least, not in the spirit of them. It listed them on the bbc news just now and said we are not allowed to mix at other people's homes, indoors OR in the garden. But 2 individuals can meet outside for exercise. In my view, that was quite clearly intended for people who live alone to get out and about once a day or so for exercise, not for small kids who've been merrily mixing at school all day to go out yet again.

It's within the rules. They can go out with one other friend to exercise. The fact that they have seen friends during the day at school where they have been mostly sitting down doesn't mean they aren't entitled to go out and exercise after school and at the weekends and the rules clearly say they can meet one other friend to do so. My kid is usually out on his bike or scooter for a couple of hours after school daily and 4/5 hours a day at the weekend as well as 3/4 hours a week of football. I'm not preventing him from going outside to get exercise or saying he can only go out on his own. That's bullshit and I'm not doing it for anybody.

And if the trade-off is closing schools?
Because if people push this, then that could be what happens.

@CallmeAngelina

And if the trade-off is closing schools? Because if people push this, then that could be what happens.

People aren't "pushing this" though - they are planning to do specifically what the guidelines request. If the guidelines hadn't wanted anyone to meet anyone else, then they would have said that (probably with a list of exemptions). OP's DS can meet his friend outdoors (providing they socially distance) in the same way as anyone else.

I think this is fine, but to stick to the rules properly, they need to play out on the street, not in the garden.

My Dc walks to and from secondary school with a friend, and I'm happy that remains within the rules.

If they are old enough to play together without adult supervision, then it is fine for them to play together as long as it's just the two of them outside

In my view, that was quite clearly intended for people who live alone to get out and about once a day or so for exercise, not for small kids who've been merrily mixing at school all day to go out yet again

You have no right to take views on what a law was designed to do, only what is written.

The government guidelines (which it's essential everyone follows remembers) say a minimum of 60 minutes every single day, and to avoid long sedentary periods, of the government recommendations only a few of the strength activities can be done indoors, and none of the suggested aerobic ones. The government guidelines say a school should provide 30 minutes of exercise in the school day (although the research suggests many schools fail at this) So that means your children need 30 minutes of exercise a day outside school.

So yes, children, if you want to follow government guidelines, should be able to do their exercise outside after school, perhaps with another person - there's good evidence that exercising with other people increases the value of it.

Again the NHS guidelines suggest:
"Get your mates involved. You're more likely to keep active if you have fun and other people to enjoy yourself with."

So remember, follow those NHS guidelines, as well as the law, and get physically active, and encourage your kids to be physically active, the law recognises that doing it with another is beneficial.

"You have no right to take views on what a law was designed to do, only what is written."

I think you'll find that I have the right to take views on anything I like.