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Original poster

Are you taking your kids to the park?

131 replies

Needausername99 · 12/01/2021 19:53

Parks are open within the rules this time so I have been taking mine but they've been really quiet.

Now we're being told we all need to do more and act like we all have the virus - obviously if this was the case then we wouldn't be going to the park.

So have I been selfish and pushed the boundaries or should I keep on going?!

OP posts:
MaizeBlouse · 12/01/2021 20:46

No. And it sucks. I have a 3yo and a 14mo in my sole care whilst DP is out working and we are going loopy inside. But the one day I did go last week it was heaving. Its not worth the risk in my opinion. Tho I'm in London and the rates are high

Osquito · 12/01/2021 20:50

Park yes, the play area no.
It’s actually easier to distance from people in our park than at our local nature reserves/walks, those are so busy with dog walkers and cyclists.

MinecraftMother · 12/01/2021 20:53

Yes.
Because if I didn't do that, there's a fair to middling chance I'd drown them and then jump off a bridge.

Dazedandconfused28 · 12/01/2021 20:54

There is no alternative to parks for us (without a considerable drive) and we don't have a garden. Sadly DS (age 2) won't walk anywhere - so we do go to playgrounds as it's the only way he will get exercise.

We try and go very early, as soon as it's light - but it then means the day stretches ahead with nothing to fill it. I'm finding it very hard.

TripleHHH · 12/01/2021 21:08

Yes we have two dogs so we go for a walk with them and dc pretty much every day. They have online classes until 3pm so usually go after that. We have several huge parks, and some fields, within a 5 min walk from us so if ones busy, we just walk to the next one. It’s very easy to social distance and I don’t let them in the playground or let them sit on any benches.

With the amount of time they spend sitting online, I feel they need some fresh air and some exercise, even if just for an hour.

upsidedownwavylegs · 12/01/2021 21:10

I wouldn’t contemplate not going to the park. It’s pretty much the only place we can go right now, other than the essential places (work for DP, nursery for DD, the supermarket once a week for me).

Kljnmw3459 · 12/01/2021 21:12

Park and playground yes. We've got no garden or green area because we live in a flat so a daily trip to the park is nice.

ValancyRedfern · 12/01/2021 21:16

Yes. We live in a flat. No way would I trap them indoors.

Original poster
Needausername99 · 12/01/2021 21:24

Sorry I should have been clearer as I meant playgrounds - we've been going most days around 3 as part of a little routine that works for us.

Yesterday there was no one else in the playground when we arrived. A few arrived a while later but it was so, so quiet. Normally a really popular and busy park.

So I started to wonder if I was just an irresponsible mum for letting DS touch all the play equipment Blush A couple of the kids that arrived were from the same school so they played near each other but no close contact which made me feel a little uneasy as suppose it's not really in keeping with schools closing. Then Hancock's (think it was him anyway) comment on the press conference about how everyone should act like they have the virus made me feel even worse!

But if that's the case, why don't they close them (and garden centres etc) rather than allow us to go but seemingly shove the blame on us for not being sensible enough. Rant over...

Totally agree there is so little else left for kids to do and fresh air/exercise is so important for them (and me!) at the moment. Really don't wanna stop going but didn't wanna be that person that everyone else is rolling their eyes at without realising!

OP posts:
edgeware · 12/01/2021 21:34

Playgrounds, yes, easily 4 mornings a week.

wanderings · 12/01/2021 21:34

we need to have a serious conversation as a society about childhood inactivity and obesity once we get back to some semblance of normal.
THIS. Note that the government are effectively DISCOURAGING exercise, while pretending that they're not.

Having cheerfully blamed the public for spreading the virus now, Saint Boris and his merry men are going to blame the public for the obesity crisis which is going to be one of the many, many consequences of THEIR hallowed lockdown. They'll also blame the public for not spending enough money, even though millions will soon be unemployed.

wintertravel1980 · 12/01/2021 21:35

Yes, I take my DD to playgrounds every day of the weekend. She is in nursery during the week.

The risk of surface transmission is low. The risk of outdoor surface transmission is even lower. My own "risk assessment" tells me that benefits of keeping DD engaged and active significantly outweigh remote risk of getting COVID.

I am in London in a borough with high cases. I know quite a few people who got COVID over Christmas and New Year. Everyone was infected indoors by people they knew.

peonyrose87 · 12/01/2021 21:41

Parks and playgrounds, yes. We hand sanitise frequently and change DS's clothes as soon as we're home. He's a single child, nursery is closed and already missing out on so much. Our daily park trips are what's keeping him going!

Mamapep · 12/01/2021 21:49

Yes

CoffeeCreamandSugar · 12/01/2021 21:51

Yes I am. Not everyday but certainly every few days

ellenpartridge · 12/01/2021 21:59

Yes absolutely. The risk at playgrounds is absolutely tiny.

bookworm14 · 12/01/2021 22:05

Yes. The risk of outdoor transmission is very small and DD has nothing else left.

Frazzled2207 · 12/01/2021 22:06

yes. not every day and avoiding if it's busy (which is rare atm)

Original poster
Needausername99 · 12/01/2021 22:17

Feeling reassured by your responses, thank you!

We santitise, wash hands thoroughly and change his clothes when we get in so thorough in that respect.

If it was really busy, we wouldn't use the equipment but DS much prefers it to walking/cycling round a park, especially after cycling there, so it's a good way to get out for a bit.

OP posts:
Dawnlassie · 12/01/2021 22:19

Yes. Need to keep them active. Nothing else open.

Mwnci123 · 12/01/2021 22:30

Yes, and if they closed them I would break in!

Xmasbaby11 · 12/01/2021 22:35

Yes parks and playground several times a week. It is sometimes busy but we go anyway. They need the activity and fresh air.

AnnaSW1 · 12/01/2021 22:35

Yes... better there than the supermarket... Grin

LickEmbysmiling · 12/01/2021 22:36

No, but for those with toddlers etc I hope they keep them open.
Having access to a play park could make the difference between someone being kept sane or broken.

WhatsMissed · 12/01/2021 22:43

Yes. There’s not been anyone else there each time I’ve been!