Feeling bad about nephews visit

I have a video doorbell and an enclosed porch. I leave the outer porch door unlocked in the day (inner door to house locked) and even when friends have visited to bring gifts they have to talk to me via the doorbell stream and leave the gifts inside the porch. That way we don't have to blast each other with aerosols. The trouble with standing 2m apart is we just naturally talk louder to cross the gap. Don't forget all sound transmission happens by moving air, it's not like light that is electric waves.

4allweknow!! at least 2metres at all times even with a mask!! Too keep you and the friend safe!

My grandson and his partner have come over from Ireland to see the family. My son in law told them to stay away. Now they have booked into a hotel somewhere, it is horrible having to do this to members of your own family.

You did the right thing - that's why I posted all my presents so I wouldn't have the issue of somebody on my doorstep and me feeling bad about keeping them there . Your nephew will understand and you can get together after all this.

We delivered presents to DD and family yesterday via a doorstep drop off . Feels so sad but it is the right thing to do roll on the vaccine.

I feel so rude clearly moving aside so that people we pass are at safe distance. It feels downright anti social and my son, who also stood away from the door yesterday, whilst delivering and collecting parcels, truly peculiar

I guess once we are vaccinated we can start to move cautiously back to “normal”, whatever the hell normal then is.

You did the right thing. I am sure your nephew and great niece understood perfectly.

Same here - exchanged presents via socially distanced doorstop procedure with DD, SIL and GC. DD was desperate to hug us but we resisted, but it was tough and goes against usual family experiences not only at Christmas but day to day ways. I just hope they manage to get the vaccine to as many as possible. The government need to act swiftly over this, but with so many new cases, people having to isolate, it will be difficult to roll this out. They'll draft the army in to help with administrating the vaccine I'm sure.

We are leasing Christmas presents to my Son and his family but are only allowed into the garden and distance most people will be keeping their distance and not going into anyone else’s houses if they want to feel safe it’s only for this Christmas hopefully. Have a good Christmas everyone

It’s difficult times and people do understand. Works both ways, they don’t want to put themselves at risk either. Contact is good outdoors or by phone. Why not call them tomorrow and wish them a merry Christmas and thank them for their gift, a little goes a long way at the moment.

Good idea Awesomegranny each kind thought helps. It does go against all our instincts not to offer hospitality especially at this time of year. Let's hope we can get together a bit more next year.

same with not being able to hugs.. especially when someone upset.

I am visiting my ds and dil Christmas Day as is her mum and step dad, her mum had cancer op, and she is going,

now my older ds and dil and 4 gks, my support bubble... boxing day arrange, I can`t make my mind up whether to go or not.. but we can be in their garden.

You did the right thing. When we have all had vaccines invite him over then. If everyone behaved in the sensible way you did there would be less spread. The family across from me have had people in and out for about a week. They seem to stay for about half an hour then leave. It infuriate me.

Had to laugh at Joesoap typo, leasing christmas presents

we have been doing that with our daughters and their families for the past months, no one feels guilty, my daughters insist on it so please dont feel bad

I took presents to my son and we all stood on the drive. They kindly provided me with a seat so I was able to stay a bit longer.

I too hate this Covid world and now life at times feels a bit of an endurance test.
During the last week as people have popped round to deliver cards and gifts it feels rude to leave people on the doorstep to shout at each other from about 8 feet away. Yesterday in the pouring rain a friend would not even step into our hall when I stepped back about 12 feet. Very uncomfortable but my husband says at least my Christmas cake which he reckons I share too freely will last another week!!!!
We are all sharing this horrible weird existence. Roll on vaccination.

May call and apologise/gently explain why you didn't let them in but reassure them too, that you wouldn't normally hesitate under the circumstances. Best of luck and merry Christmas.

Not May... I meant "Maybe"..

We swopped presents with son, DIL & GC on drive yesterday. It was so hard not to be able to hug them. I confess I shed a few tears after they left. Spoke to my older DGC last night-they were coming here for Christmas day. Now I have a huge turkey for 2 of us & 3 cats.
What a strange year!

You did nothing wrong. It’s instinct to be with family and so it’s bound to feel wrong. I think at some level we will all go through it. Perhaps you could text, email or phone to say thanks again if they gave you a gift, and to say sorry they couldn’t have come in. (I bet they weren’t even expecting to anyway but it will help you feel more settled).

Craftycat we’ve chopped our turkey in two. Half for the two of us tomorrow and the other half in the freezer for Easter. We did the same last year.

I felt exactly the same when my lovely aunt delivered a present. It felt so mean not to invite her in for a cup of tea and give her a hug. People do understand though.

My son & GC are coming this afternoon to swap presents, my husband has MS can’t stand. So I’ve opened the side gate, opened the patio doors & turned my husbands chair around. They will stand back in the garden.!!!
Ps it’s going to be very cold & windy, I’ve poured myself a glass of sherry ready to warm me up !!

We don’t let anyone in....nobody has entered since March...my children and grandchildren think I’m nuts making them stay in the garage while I talk to them through the window...breaks my heart! ??