Feeling bad about nephews visit

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

I’ve had several doorstep visitors this week. They stand 2 metres away, we both have face covering, and wish each other a happy Christmas, and a better New Year.

It’s my natural instinct to invite visitors in for a cup of tea/coffee, but we must all take care of each other.

It does go against all our human instincts. BUT needs must. Remember the way Ebola spread so tragically because of hugging and sobbing at funerals. Awful. Sometimes we must do what feels wrong at the time. Soon be easier. Just got to grit our teeth a while more.

I'm sure everyone knows by now anyway of the changes in rules of visits/xmas etc. so we don't really have to say why/what our reasons are for cancellations or keeping people stood outside etc.- they've all seen the news or the bbc updates or the newspapers- so they know, and understand.Heartbreaking though when its children and so sad that we can't let our own family in.This virus is destroying family closeness- but lets hope we can beat this thing! Here's hoping we all have a nice safe christmas- and at least there will be no rushing round like headless chickens to prepare big lunches on time! Even in smaller 'own households' dinners surely it will be more calm and laid back? (so what if its not all ready by 1pm or whatever? No one's going anywhere.A chance to relax a bit maybe- come out of kitchen occasionally, open gifts & enjoy the day a bit more? Merry christmas Gransnetters!??

We kept our daughter and son-in-law on the doorstep yesterday. Much as we love them, no way would we let them in.

I visit a friend with her clothing type shopping (doesn't do internet) and whilst at doorstep I wear a mask as does she. Strange measuring inside leg of old trousers laying them on the ground!

There's nothing unreasonable or mean about this. It feels contrary to our human instincts of warmth and welcoming especially at this time of year, but it is necessary and important and sensible for the protection of all. Anyone visiting to drop off presents will know this and that know that they are expected to abide by it; it isn't your personal choice, it's a medical and governmental strongly advised way of being at the moment. It felt odd for me too, delivering pressies for my mother and father (78 and 92) but to go any further would be at the least disrespectful and at worst posing risk to their health. Like any of us here I would dream of doing neither to a loved one. Worry ye not! Happy Christmas to you and yours.

It is not you keeping them on the doorstep - it is covid.

I am sure they understand. I do this with my DDs all the time; and the lovely GC. It is not ideal but I smile and joke with them and keep it light. We do a sort of virtual hug.

Yes know how you feel but it is necessary ! I am sure they understood too .

We had the same thing with our younger son two days ago. We were all upset but it’s important to us to keep to the guidelines as we have criticised others for breaking them.

We live in the Cotswolds. I have been swimming regularly, but the other day I went and didn’t know anyone there. Someone said they a0re all up from London!
Decided not to swim again until they’ve all gone home. ?

You did the right thing, our Son brings shopping but hasn't been in the house again for several weeks, it's for the best but so very sad.

Anybody that visits another household at this time must understand the reasons why they can't enter your house.
Unfortunately, the way that we have been brought up with common courtesy to visitors brings out the guilt!

Thank you all for your reassuring messages. I just love people dropping in usually! But it is right not to at the moment. Feel better after reading your comments xxx

I understand your feelings my son has been round a couple of times of late and we have had to leave him on the doorstep, sadly he came round with our grandchildren at the week end and we felt horrible because the children wanted to come in and we couldn't let them. A couple of weeks ago they spent the day with us but now it seems the advice is not to mix with children either.

We have also had to tell other son and girlfriend they can't visit over the Christmas period, we'd arranged that before the latest lockdown, disappointing but not unexpected.

I had to tell my nephew to stay away because he would have been indoors trying to cook me a meal or whatever. I am sure youngsters think they are immune to this ghastly virus.

It’s become the norm now and I get quite antsy if out and someone infringes my safe space and yes, doorstep 2m at least. Come the day, please, when this is over, I wonder how long we will take to ‘unlearn’ thse social habits.