Can I take my dc for a walk in the park?

[Despairandchocolatecake]

I assume yes because playgrounds are open? We may not use the playground if busy but we will have a walk around the park and maybe play hide and seek or something. Just to make our boring day slightly more interesting (for them. I hate hide and seek). Are the polide likely to stop and fine me?

Yes, honestly just do what you like.
Having a normal life is not a crime.

Are you in England. If so, yes you are allowed out for exercise so that's fine.

We are in England.
It would only be an hour or so - til we get too cold basically.

I remember this last time, constantly feeling like I was doing something wrong even though I wasn’t and as though I might be arrested. We just stopped leaving the house entirely for anything.

Why are you thinking you might not be allowed to?

I don’t know. 😂
It’s all these rules around things that a year ago would have been totally normal. I understand why they are in place but they make me so anxious. I had panic attacks last time and just stopped taking the dc anywhere at all. Not over the virus but over being arrested.

Government website says parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, forests, public gardens (whether or not you pay to enter them), the grounds of a heritage site or playgrounds. If you can, you might want to avoid weekends as ours is crowded then.

I bloody love hide & seek. It's pretty easy at the moment as my son is 14 months old and VERY easy to find.

He often can't find me for hours.

@Palavah

Why are you thinking you might not be allowed to?

Exactly this.

Why on earth would it even cross your mind that you should not take your kids out?

Yes of course you can . You are encouraged to get out to exercise. Lockdown rules have sadly put this back to going out once per day only (Unspecified time so as long as you like) but if you can, going out every day is good for both you and the children .

Said v kindly Please seek help

Even people actually breaking the rules by having raves and are not always getting arrested or fined
My police friends are breaking up raves and sending them home and can't be dealing with all the paperwork of fining folk , so definitely have no issue with a mum taking her kids out for exercise and fresh air

I'm concerned you ended up not going out as This us unhealthy for you and your kids

Again please ring your G.P today for a referral to someone who can help you cope with the anxiety

And I worry about that too. If I’ve been out once and used my allowance for that day but then have to go out again for some sort of emergency- I don’t really know what that would be, ill parent or child maybe? - and then I can’t. I feel I shouldn’t use my allowance up frivolously.

Yes you may.
Read the guidance: www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home

You are allowed out more than once

I suppose I feel like people - the people you see sometimes on mumsnet - will be judging me.

This must be a joke..

If not, why care more about potential curtain twitchers than the well-being of your kids or family? The guidance is clear about emergencies being separate from daily life "rules".

The anxious part of me just doesnt want to get into trouble.
I know rationally even in the event anyone said anything all I say is I’m out exercising but I think just being questioned would be enough to scare me into not going out again - apart from to work if that is possible.
I’m finding my heart rate is regularly hitting 150bpm at the moment 😂😂😂😂

@Despairandchocolatecake

And I worry about that too. If I’ve been out once and used my allowance for that day but then have to go out again for some sort of emergency- I don’t really know what that would be, ill parent or child maybe? - and then I can’t. I feel I shouldn’t use my allowance up frivolously.

You are allowed out in an emergency regardless of what else has been going on that day.

I agree, a chat with your gp about your anxiety might be a good idea.

OP your anxiety seems almost to be tipping into paranoia. Maybe you should speak to your gp because honest, no one is watching you and keeping score.

You don't have an allowance. You could technically be out several times a day.
Shopping for essentials, medical needs, providing care for an older or vulnerable relative, exercise and fresh air.

There is no time limit on being out. It's about trying to limit interactions with others.

Awwww. Bless ya. Sounds like you may be struggling with a low level of anxiety?

It's perfectly fine to leave the house once a day for exercise. And important for your MH so please don't worry about doing it.

@Dowser

Yes, honestly just do what you like. Having a normal life is not a crime.

No but it could kill people and keep this going longer so yeah, great advice.

Don’t be silly, it has been said many times before that the virus is far less transmissible outside and I doubt very much the op with will have anything to do with anybody else. I am feeling more down now than at any other time in this pandemic. My children are teenage but I will be encouraging them out every day for some fresh air. It will do no one any good to be cooped up all day for the next 6/7 weeks. And we are lucky enough that we have a large enough house and a garden and are not all on top of one another. Go out, get some fresh air and relax. You will not be stopped for that.

@Despairandchocolatecake

And I worry about that too. If I’ve been out once and used my allowance for that day but then have to go out again for some sort of emergency- I don’t really know what that would be, ill parent or child maybe? - and then I can’t. I feel I shouldn’t use my allowance up frivolously.

You have always been allowed to leave your house in emergency situations, including the ones you describe here.

Don't take so much of the bollocks that is spouted on some threads here and on some social media pages as gospel. Read the guidelines on gov.uk and use that instead.

If anyone tried to tell me that I couldn't leave my house to deal with sick parents or children they would get very short shrift indeed. The phrase "bugger off" springs to mind.

I have very frail and vulnerable elderly parents who live a three hour drive away from me. They spent most of the first lockdown in and out of hospital (not Covid related) and it was touch and go whether or not they both survived it. I have already decided that if any similar crises present this time around that I will be going to them whatever any rules say.

There is provision under the rules for that sort of thing, but far too many people still want to judge others who might be doing it. Fuck that!

Oh and yes, go out for your fresh air and exercise too. Children's playgrounds are also remaining open in parks this time around according to the guidelines. So maybe a bit more common sense prevailing there now.

Don't feel guilty. If anyone does criticise you tell them to bugger off.