What is the current park “etiquette”...?

[fireflylanegirls]

I’m a (very) anxious first time mum, and have been living under a rock for the last year....

My son has recently turned one, he’s becoming really active and playful and I was thinking I’d love to take him to the park.

We’ve been before but never used the baby swings etc.

So I’m wondering, what do you do?

Should I wipe swings before and after we use them? Would I take some gentle anti bac wipes for my sons hands.

I don’t want to appear to me the “looney” mum who’s washing everything (baby included) down, but since I’ve never used a park during the pandemic, I’m really anxious on what I SHOULD be doing.

Any advice please?

I just ask them to hand gel when they are finished and/or before having a snack.

I wouldn't worry, risk is minimal.

If you're worried about the park, you can go very early in the morning (before breakfast) or around 4pm when everyone else has gone home to minimise mixing. Our children know not to put their hands in their mouths when outside of the house, we never take snacks to avoid this and we always wash hands when we get home. If we're going to be out longer we take a washing up bowl, flask of boiled water, a towel and some soap. I think generally speaking this is seen to be a bit on the more extreme end of behaviour. But what works for us

A large park near us is very busy every weekend and I don't see much social distancing going on. I really don't understand why people aren't more careful there.

The smaller parks are much quieter. Some parents use antibac gel or wipes on their children's hands whilst they are playing.

I think wiping down a swing makes good sense. It's small enough to wipe down in just a minute or two and it would be cleaner and safer for your child.

Bigger equipment like slides and climbing frames obviously can't be cleaned but they will obviously be being used by children who are a bit older.

You could take out a bottle of warm
Soapy water and pour it over his hands once finished!

I just slap on some alcohol jel once we left the playground and then wash with soap and water when we get home

Parks are pretty normal around here. The parents keep their distance, I think most kids now generally understand they shouldn't lick each other, and hand gel before playing, before a snack and when we leave. But other than that the kids are playing and the adults are chatting like always.

In London the etiquette is to let children play and interact normally outdoors. Adults should converse but always stay 2m apart. (I think this is creeping towards 1.5m.) I've not seen anybody sanitising equipment.

Don't do anything .. go and have fun!!

My son licked the swing - he is fine.

I don't bother with anti bac just wash hands

The 1st July, the first day we were allowed back to the park, I wiped the whole of our park with anti bac. On reflection, I realised this was madness and didn’t do it again 😁
We handwash as soon as we get home, wipe hands and anti bac if having a snack.