Teens out and about with friends

[StiffyByng1]

No judgement, just very curious to know, are your teens all meeting up with their buddies. I’m in tier 4 and it’s pretty rife around my way. Wondering if it’s the norm.

I’m so grateful for all of your responses, thank you! Someone in my world is no covid denier, but the rules deffo don’t apply to his teen as far as he’s concerned. She’s somehow beyond the responsibilities that others have to abide by. I wondered if my thinking was harsh as I’m sadly very often dismissed as a square by him.

@user1471562688

Wondering if it’s the norm.

Yes, it is normal for young people to want to meet and socialize - it's human instinct and natural. I find it very strange that this is now considered abnormal. God help them.

Of course it’s not abnormal, but this shitshow isn’t normal for any of us. We’re not living normal lives. At all. It’s ghastly. It’s human instinct and natural whatever our age to socialise.

The ones I have seen a generally groups of girls rather than boys

No, my almost 13 year old is in touch with them every day on his Xbox 😬 but is
a stickler for the rules, thankfully.

We are in tier 4 and there are loads of groups of teens out and about. (Norfolk). I think parents seem to think it’s okay because they’re all bubbled together in school. (I have a teen dd aged 17 and she’s not going out at all).

We are in Scotland so 12-17 year olds can meet up outside - no more than six though and social distancing to be observed.... Am wondering if/when Nicola will abandon that rule

Tier 3. They are meeting friends outside, as per the rules.
DS goes to the park with a couple of mates to play football.
DD is part of a tight-knit group of 4 - they walk the dogs together.
DD2 is Y7, so all the new friendships not fully established and hard to choose one or two people to meet as they're still travelling in packs. I am encouraging her to go out as she has a tendency to stay in her room and I'd like her to get the socialising and fresh air. She's seen two friends (separately) since the holidays started.
Balancing the mental health and developmental needs of teenagers (and everyone else) with Covid is very difficult. I am trying not to judge anyone.

Of course not. We're in lockdown (Wales) They are not reckless or stupid. They video call their mates and understand the gravity of the situation, even though they complain frequently!

@missmouse101

Of course not. We're in lockdown (Wales) They are not reckless or stupid. They video call their mates and understand the gravity of the situation, even though they complain frequently!

I'd like to say that I don't consider my son reckless or stupid either, but seeing him with his arms all cut up, or not knowing what he might do when I'm not at home to keep an eye on him means I would rather him have some outside human contact to try and prevent something far worse than Covid

No, mine are following the rules. I’d not let them break them even if they wanted too, they are there for a reason. No different to any other laws.

@gardenwoe That sounds tough. And I don't think you're being reckless as a parent to prioritise his health over the very low risk of small scale outdoors social contact.

Live or work with mates, but Not meeting up in ways OP means.

Dd sometimes has a friend over to our garden - in the summer house. They open the windows and doors and put the wall mounted heater on to counteract the cold. I am okay with this. Rules are for the obedience of the stupid and the guidance of the wise

(You can thank me later for giving you the opportunity to froth)