Risk assessing play dates

[slfk3]

My primary aged children have switched schools in the first lockdown and consequently we are sort of between friendship groups between old and new schools, so I haven't really planned many play dates. The few I have tried to organize have made me aware that the norm for others seems to be to be meeting with a different group every day, sometimes more than one group in a day at different times, and many from not just the other part of the county but other counties all together. It then makes me, who hasn't had the jab yet, feel a bit like by meeting I'm taking an unknown risk because of how freely and frequently others are mixing.

I appreciate everyone will do their own thing, and get why people want to see others, but feel a bit unsure, assuming I'm not alone?

If they're meeting outside in no more than groups of 6 at any one time then it's allowed. You don't have to if you don't want to.

If they're in school together it makes no odds.
The risk isn't covid it's kids missing out on seeing friends and the lasting effects of bring kept away from peers - especially if like you say they've swapped schools. It's really important they make friends and have a lovely time at school.

And yes I'm meeting with different people every day. It's permitted and it's good for kids to play with friends. They need to go back to normality now not continue to be kept away

There will be loads of people doing that but I like you am not I'm for various reasons. Lots will be doing play dates and sleepovers inside especially with how changeable the weather is currently. All you can do is risk assess for you and your family and let others worry about their own families. If your concerned those you are meeting are meeting multiple people you could arrange for your meet up to be much earlier in the day.

I wouldn't really worry about kids socialising at this stage and as others have said, I'd actually be happy about it.
I think there comes a stage with covid that you kind of realise that you are going to get it as you can't keep minimising the risks forever. For me that was in January, my children are in pre-school and the new strain of Covid was rife in our area.. I had a choice to keep the kids out of pre-school to avoid infection or keep them in and keep normality for them. We've had covid mildly now, it was just one of those things. I think a lot of families are the same and are just getting on with life now.

Outdoors with SD and rule of six inc adults wouldn’t bother me, if they are breaking the rules and hosting indoors, going over six etc then I’d just decline to be involved.

You should probably start thinking about the impact lack of socialising will have on your children. Unless you are vulnerable why are you worried? Children (and adults) need normality after a year of this, people are becoming obsessed with risk assessing normal behavior, life is not without risk it never has been. Let your children play and meet their friends.

I have had to learn to let go of what others choose to do. I work with young children and they tell me about the things they get up to, sometimes accompanied by "but it's a secret so I mustn't tell anyone". As long as parents realise the children will have to isolate if any of the children or parents they have had play dates with test positive. Given that they are not complying with the rules on mixing i do wonder if they will comply with the isolation rules either.

The Op isn't saying she's not doing play dates she's just trying to do it sensibly. To live alongside covid there has to be an element of common sense and risk assessing is part of that as is social distancing and wearing a mask. Nobody is saying we should stay locked up and to have no interaction but let's be sensible.

@glitterelf with all due respect, risk assessing play dates outdoors is not normal.

Didn't realise there was a quota of meet-ups in the new guidelines.

@IrishMamaMia unfortunately for me and my role it is and what you seem to be forgetting is that children often do not social distance same as lots of parents don't. It's not so much the meeting up but the multiple meeting ups in one day. As a PP said chances are that family who are doing this are probably the same ones who wouldn't isolate or give close contacts details. Like I said people will do what they want we are only responsible for ourselves and our families.

@IrishMamaMia bit harsh. I think in the current climate, risk assessment is very much the norm for a lot of people, whether that's indoors or outdoors.

@Ikeatears she mentions in the OP that these children are in school with hers and seem to play together. Regardless of 'risk assessment' if there's a Covid outbreak it's coming their way at school when the Easter break is over. I think it's a bit out of her control to be honest but if she's more comfortable not to meet them obviously that's better for her. She doesn't mention being high risk, only unvaccinated, so I presume they are a non-vulnerable group which comes across as a bit OTT at this particular stage, so if she's going to risk assess might as well look at the stats of the actual risk.

Outdoors and in 6s is fine.

If your are CEV and need to keep the numbers you are exposed to down (as per deshielding letter) then you'll have to ask around a bit to see who else is taking the more precautionary approach (same 6 or so, not different every single time). Not everyone is mixing as much as you think you see.

It'll be easier once term starts again, as they'll see everyone in class and normal friendship clumps will probably mean the numbers they want to hang out with outside school settle a bit

Have you looked up the number of cases in your area? Where I am the numbers are really low so although I'm following all guidelines I'm not particularly concerned. It'll be lovely when swimming lessons, gymnastics etc start next week too so the children can get a bit of normality back.

@IrishMamaMia If you re read the op she says they are between friendship groups of old and new so not all the children are actually already mixing in school.

Thanks glitterelf, I think you get where I am coming from. Most play dates are with the old school friends as I haven't been able to meet their new friends parents to arranged things. My children aren't asking for play dates and socialise a lot and well in school, it's more my worry they will miss out that motivates my trying to organise things. And what worries me about the people we would meet with socialising with lots of people is that they aren't socialising with other local families but lots of groups from out of our area, London, Surrey, Essex and we are in a low case area for Suffolk. My husband is high risk and has had his first jab, I'm not concerned about COVID killing me but long COVID and the more likely concern that my children would spread it unknowingly when they go to school. Particularly as my sons TA is coping with a mother who is starting chemo next week.
I wouldn't be concerned about playing with local families, but the idea that the local families are having different families up from other areas for the day, clearly going inside the house does concern me a little. I accept people will do what they want and it's "within the rules" but I thought we were still supposed to stay local.

Nerrserr, cases locally are thankfully low so I don't worry about swimming next week or even school, can't wait. It's the people coming from other areas to our areas that concerns me. Especially as some of their jobs mean they are mixing with lots of different groups too. Ie Teachers, GPs etc., in London spending the day with local families here who we would normally meet up with.

Oops, nerrsnerr.