Support Bubbles for children

[Tryingtryingandtrying]

Only children should get the opportunity to bubble with another family, for developmental and mental health reasons. How can it be OK for children not to have any opportunity to play with another child for what is looking likely to be 4 or 5 months. Single adults needs are recognised but not only children. It's essential the development of their sense if self, physical health, cognitive skills. Or even if two adults are meeting outside their children can come too, it doesn't have to be inside play or as formal as a Support Bubble.

I am on maternity leave at the moment and I have no need for childcare so I have no idea what the rules are in regards to childcare bubble, but wouldn't that be covered with this? Your childcare bubble could be with another family who have a child and then the children can still socialise with eachother within the bubble?

Childcare bubbles are only supposed to be for childcare though- ie you leave your kids with that person/family when you’re at work. It’s not for socialising.

I completely agree but would take it further and emulate the Scottish system where under 12s aren’t included in numbers. Our children are barely considered at all in the current guidelines.

I think everyone should be able to form an exclusive support bubble with one other family. People with a baby under 1 can, but if you have an 18 month old you can't. Why does a parent of a baby need support more than the parent of a toddler, preschooler or primary age child?

True that they are not for socialising but a lot of people on other threads are crumbling under the pressure of homeschooling. Just saying that bubbles can be helpful if you're working, or need to share childcare for another compelling reason.

I absolutely agree OP, and last week we (me and ds) met another mum and her ds for a long walk. The boys are 7, and although both have siblings one is much older (16) and one much younger (3 with sen). I could legally meet same mum alone, the 2 boys could meet each other but obviously too young to do so safely.

I'll stick to every other rule but am not isolating a 7 year old from his peers for months and months again. It's cruel and unnecessary if it's safe for adults to have all kinds of bubbles, for him to go to school if I was a keyworker or have a childcare bubble etc.

Just do it anyway. Nobody is going to stop you. It's so important for children to see their friends in person, at least occasionally.

Problem with just doing it anyway is radio etc adverts which say "If you bend the rules, people WILL die" How do we assimilate that?

I prefer the Scottish rules too. Over 5s wear masks, but pay off is young children can actually play with other children. Legally.

We've decided to do it. Another family with an only. They aren't going anywhere and are being v careful as the mum is vulnerable and we're v careful too -
Working from home/online shopping etc.

My DS10 is really struggling and getting angry and even violent. He needs to play. Run off steam. So does his friend. We're not seeing anyone else. The risk seems low to me.

My kids meet their friends 1-1 - moscdays their out with one of their mates

I’m at work
I walk the dog
I go the shops
KW kids in school I’m mixing still

No way are my ‘at home’ kids being socially deprived when outdoor transmission has been proven to be practically zero

If I had young kids I’d be having a family over and using the childcare bubble

Kids are not little robots they need social interaction

I've seen a worrying trend on MN where children appear to be increasingly viewed as non people. If you should dare to say they're faltering due to lack of social interaction and you have made efforts to counteract that - be that letting them play with a friend or even just taking them to the supermarket - then you're 'part of the reason this thing is still rife' or words to that effect. Seeing a child I'm a supermarket now seems to have people frothing and clutching their pearls. I'm so glad my DD has a best friend nearby and her parents and I have agreed they can play together as and when they fancy. Children's developmental needs and emotional well being have been massively overlooked by the government guidelines.

In Scotland children under 12 do not need to distance and do not count towards household or group numbers. It's crazy England hasn't even done something remotely similar.

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss have you had a baby during the pandemic? If not I suggest you keep your opinions about the baby under 1 support bubble to yourself. You would be happy to scrap a lifeline to new mums that is most probably preventing a lot from going down the PND route? Yes I have a husband but he works 8/9 hours a day so while he does support me it’s a long time to be left alone with a small baby so my parents being able to be our bubble has honestly saved my sanity! Do you even consider what you are saying before you write it? It’s difficult being a new mum in normal times it’s a million times more difficult at the moment.

@RedskyBynight

Why just "only children"? The same argument applies to those who have children that don't play together due to diverse age ranges, or simply those who don't get on.

And why should children get the chance to meet with others socially, but not any other section of the population?

surely a blanket "you can meet one other household outdoors" rule would cover a much wider range of "gaps"? In fact, I'd like to hope that might be one of the first things to be allowed when restrictions start to lift.

It’s completely different for an only child. Even if 2 siblings don’t get on or have a big age gap they are still siblings. There is still someone to talk to or do something with other than your mum or dad.

I wrote to my local mp about this issue and would encourage others to do the same. My 5 year old mental health has deteriorated rapidly during this lockdown

@Beachmum23

I wrote to my local mp about this issue and would encourage others to do the same. My 5 year old mental health has deteriorated rapidly during this lockdown

Yes, I've written to my MP too. No response yet...

I'd scrap the new baby bubble .... Those in couples with babies support each other anyway surely.
Have you ever heard of postnatal depression, postnatal psychosis, postnatal anxiety or maternal suicide? These conditions affect 1 in 7 new mothers. Support after birth is very very important and a support bubble offers this. Having a partner doesnt help much if they're working all day, working away or unwilling to help.

It’s completely different for an only child. Even if 2 siblings don’t get on or have a big age gap they are still siblings. There is still someone to talk to or do something with other than your mum or dad.

When I said "don't get on" I meant at the level of not talking to each other at all or fighting constantly.
And by "big age gap" I was thinking of something like my colleague who has a 9 year old and an 18 month old. I'm not sure the 9 year old is getting a huge amount of social benefit from his sibling compared to an only child.

They can't have support bubbles for everyone or cases will never drop. Only children can still meet with another child outside, just like all adults. Why don't you take DC to a local park and meet a friend there, the two children can play/walk together.

@Mousehole10

They can't have support bubbles for everyone or cases will never drop. Only children can still meet with another child outside, just like all adults. Why don't you take DC to a local park and meet a friend there, the two children can play/walk together.

Lots of people are doing this but if is technically illegal as far as I understand

What about kids who’s siblings are too young to play with them? Or 4 year olds who’s siblings are 18?

I agree it’s criminal that kids aren’t allowed to socialise and in your position I would allow my kids to play with others outside at least.

Personally I think every household should be able to bubble with one more household.

However I'd choose my mum and sister (they live together) over other kids for my DS, who isn't really interested in other children.

Children under five don’t count for outside walks in England. Just mentioning that incase a few people here aren’t aware.