Picnic in the park

[CafeMochaVodkaValiumLate]

DD birthday is on the 15th May so would I be bonkers to arrange a picnic in the park for her birthday on the 22nd?

My logic is, hopefully 30 can meet then (will keep an eye for that changing).
There are only 12 in her year and they mix at school so that's not an issue.
Parents can spread out as huge area.

I don't actually think (at this moment) that it would be breaking any rules.

What are your thoughts?

Is everyone bringing their own food? There may still be rules about “shared food” - there was when I got married last summer.

Otherwise nobody can really say. How many people would there be? If it’s fully outdoors, and space to spread out, it seems likely that some people would be able to do it, if gardens and picnics are allowed from next week... it’d just be the number of people involved that’d be questionable, and you won’t know how many can attend until May.

I’d try and avoid the awkwardness of having to uninvite people, so maybe keep it small to start with and extend it out if you can?

Well there are 12 children in total so if everyone did come then 12 plus parent (if I can politely suggest one parent comes and bring your own food) lol the biggest cheap skate party ever.

And of course people can decline.

If you're talking about parents coming, I guess this is pre-school/Reception type age? My worries would be about getting 12 children of that age to socially distance (they won't, and it's unlikely to be dropped as a requirement by that point). And "normal" things like "what do we do if it rains?"

honestly i wouldn't think twice

there's people of that size mixing indoors now they're just not advertising

Just go ahead its outdoors and they're in school together

dont suggest bring your own food!!! thats terrible. Either do it or don't

most kids round here having sleepovers every weekend

I'm going to go ahead, the kids won't need to socially distance as they're at school together all day. If it rains, it will be rained off.

People can decline if uneasy.

@Pastanred are they? We're not quite at that age yet where they want sleepovers. Probably a blessing.

We have a local pizzeria that does takeouts so that's an option. I would feel like a huge cheapskate not providing anything

I'm going to go ahead, the kids won't need to socially distance as they're at school together all day.

Yes they do. How can people still not get this? Even if you are ok with no social distancing, are the parents of every single one of the other children? You can't organise a party that contravenes public health guidelines and just say that people don't have to come if they don't want. Well, you clearly can, but I would not be impressed if I had to exclude my child from your party due to you being irresponsible.

I'd do it, but with a back up plan for 6 children if restrictions don't get relaxed on 6th May.

I would put the word out that it is DDs birthday soon and on the 22nd you are going to X park at Y time for a day out. Then say that if anyone is around in the park on the same day it would be nice to say hi and let the kids play for a while. Don't offer it as a party or as anything more than a possible chance encounter. That way you don't need to provide anything.

@CafeMochaVodkaValiumLate

I'm going to go ahead, the kids won't need to socially distance as they're at school together all day. If it rains, it will be rained off.

People can decline if uneasy.

They will have to socially distance still according to the guidance (doesn't matte if they are all at school together or not), but really I don't think anyone will be policing children playing together outside. It's a sensible party and will be a nice thing to look forward to.

In case it rains, you could get an open sided large gazebo/marquee and put it up in the park.

@UserTwice

I'm going to go ahead, the kids won't need to socially distance as they're at school together all day.

Yes they do. How can people still not get this? Even if you are ok with no social distancing, are the parents of every single one of the other children? You can't organise a party that contravenes public health guidelines and just say that people don't have to come if they don't want. Well, you clearly can, but I would not be impressed if I had to exclude my child from your party due to you being irresponsible.

You know social distancing is guidance only and not law? I don't think many people will be social distancing outside by May, and kids needs opportunities to play with others, you don't expect children not to play with each other all summer do you?

I think most people will know that at a kids party in the park, the kids won't be social distancing, and they can come if they're ok with that. That would be completely your choice not to go to something like that, but you can't expect others to do that when it's not law.

my DS will turn 6 later in May and that's exactly what I am planning.

For those who say it might rain, it won’t 😃 my dd’s birthday is the 22nd may and it’s not rained once in 15 years 👍

@Chickenriceandpeas best reply goes to you!

Are people really making their young children social distance from each other now? Nobody I know (apart from one friend who is very anxious) is, the kids play in parks and playgrounds and get close to other kids.

Yes go for it OP, sounds lovely. It is my daughters 1st birthday in may and I will be planning something similar!

@tappitytaptap I hope not, kids need to play with others for development. Mine hasn't because she's a baby so a bit harder when it's just walks allowed, but as soon as we are able to meet in groups outside she will be playing with other babies.

I’ve got a big party planned in my garden for my girls birthdays end of May - I can’t wait! Are people living in the real world? Have you been to the park or out for walks? No-one is expecting kids to distance in my experience. Kids playing together everywhere we go!

What did people actually do last summer? I went to BBQs & picnics & met friends for walks with our kids. We didn’t hug but we walked side by side or sat side by side. We shared bowls of crisps & pasta salad & garlic bread. Husbands cooked hot dogs & burgers for us.. we went to stay with relatives & acted perfectly normally. Distancing is pointless if you are living in their house for 10 days at a time 🤷🏼‍♀️

This year, we’ve got vaccines. Life is so much safer for the vulnerable & hospitals. Roll on summer!

Slightly bemused at this notion that primary school children are socially distancing at school 🤣 go ahead - I would think most parents would bite your hand off for an excuse to socialise. I wouldn’t give a second thought to shared food etc. They can always say no but I bet no one does!

@thewinkingprawn I can't even reply to people with that mindset. I sent the invite out and the majority have already accepted, one can't because she's throwing her 40th

@thewinkingprawn

Slightly bemused at this notion that primary school children are socially distancing at school 🤣 go ahead - I would think most parents would bite your hand off for an excuse to socialise. I wouldn’t give a second thought to shared food etc. They can always say no but I bet no one does!

It is barmy isn't it? Of course they aren't social distancing at school, nor are they expected to. Also it might be in the guidance that they should social distance outside of school but that doesn't mean that it makes any sense. Ok children Mon-Fri you can all sit in a room shoulder to shoulder, play together normally, stand nose to nose when lining up etc. Saturday at the park - 2 metres apart. Yeah, ok....

@OliveTree75 - but I completely see the point?? Education is essential, they NEED to be in school. The schools follow guidelines as much as possible/hand washing etc. If that school bubble then meets outside of school, that’s additional interaction where teachers are not around to monitor hand washing/guidelines. You’ve also then got Aunty who you may bump into and then joins in with her children etc etc.

So no!!! Not barmy at all!!

Thanks @LighthouseCow