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Second Opinions - Saying NO to Quarentine in Our House with Our Baby

(179 Posts)
SunshineDad21 Mon 07-Jun-21 19:45:20

Hi All
Have already posted in Mumsnet but thought it would be worth getting views of the Grandparents of the Internet...
Are me and my wife being unreasonable that we don't want visitors quarentining in our house with our newborn? We have a small house, and they wouldn't be able to leave at all for the 10 day period.
They are now being incredibly spiteful and sulking. Not only is space an issue (an extra 4 people in our home), they aren't even acknowledging the potential risk of illness to us and our newborn baby. They are spoiling a time that should be special and happy because we have said no and asked to compromise on the visit happening when quarentine is no longer required. They are being completely unreasonable because they've not got their own way and now we just feel like we have to hide what we are doing as a family just to avoid the abusive/bullying/emotionally manipulative behaviour.
My wife is understandably upset at whats happened. Now we dread the visit at all if this is how it is going to be, which makes us both really sad as we did want to see these people when ready and able to

ExD Tue 08-Jun-21 11:29:16

OP said 'No cultural difference, just a parent used to always getting their own way and being a bit of a bully.
So sunshinedad do we assume its your Mum or Dad making this demand? I can see how difficult this must be.
But you've had 100% backup from Gransnet so stand up to the bully in your family.

palliser65 Tue 08-Jun-21 11:28:23

No is a complete sentence as someone once said. No absolutely No. They should never have even thought such a thing. My daughter has just had a baby and we all test twice a week before even visiting. A young mother should be kept safe because if she gets Covid who will care for the baby? How would she cope being ill and having just had a baby she wants to look after. They are sulking! Please get them out of your life. Snip-snip as someone else once said.

dizzygran Tue 08-Jun-21 11:27:42

What a cheek to expect to quarantine in someone else's home. You are right to refuse. You have lots of good reasons - your family's health and safety - you could pass on the virus. You should not be expected to look after other people with a new baby - it is far too much to expect. Good luck

4allweknow Tue 08-Jun-21 11:27:32

A definite No. Remember you would need to quarantine to. The visitors are being totally unreasonable. I wouldn't care how manipulative they try to be they are wrong expecting you to accommodate them with both the quantine issue and the new baby. Sounds like you are better off if they don't visit for quite some while.

cc Tue 08-Jun-21 11:25:05

Of course you are right to say no, and it isn't legal for them to quarantine with you anyway. Having so many visitors staying whilst you have a small baby would be difficult even without the risk of covid. It is completely unreasonable of them even to ask you. They'd want to hold and even kiss the baby, absolutely out of the question, just SO selfish of them.

icanhandthemback Tue 08-Jun-21 11:24:39

SunshineDad21, if it you and your wife think it is unreasonable, you are in full agreement with each other and are ready to take on the world together, you are not being unreasonable. As important as family is, it is your job as parents to protect your family now and if the wider family don't like it, that is their problem.
That said, try to be a little empathetic for their disappointment. I'd be inclined to be a bit like the Royal Family and put out a statement which says how disappointed you are that they cannot visit in a way that keeps your precious child safe within the confines of a World Pandemic. Thank them for their understanding that they wish to keep their Grandchild safe and that that he/she is looking forward to seeing them when the rules are relaxed. I'd probably also say that I was going to maintain a period of radio silence in order to concentrate on your new family.
The way you handle this at this point is so important. Your family have to realise that they do not call the shots and that this is your family and your rules. They have a choice which means they can play the game appropriately or withdraw. They way you handle your family is also important in the context of your marriage too. Your wife needs to know that you have her back because this sort of thing colours perception when the mistakes add up further down the line. Hormones, tiredness and gilt being well and truly being chipped of the gingerbread make everything feel 10 times worse.
Congratulations to you both on the birth of your baby.

granjan66 Tue 08-Jun-21 11:24:02

No, you are not being unreasonable. Even if they are grandparents, they should have consideration for you and your baby.

greenlady102 Tue 08-Jun-21 11:23:28

I'd say no, and I saw your thread on mn. I'd also be saying that you won't be contacting them until they recover theit good manners and Id be (maybe temporarily) blocking their access to you on social media too!

jaylucy Tue 08-Jun-21 11:22:56

Whoever they are have no idea about just what quarantining is for!
I bet they thought that they would be saving money by not staying in a hotel where they will also be regulated as to where they can go!(No wandering out of the building for the odd coffee/lunch/dinner/shopping!)
They have turned, what should be a joyous time for you both into something so upsetting that it will never be forgotten. Stick to your guns it really isn't your fault that these selfish, selfish people can't see the point.

Aepgirl Tue 08-Jun-21 11:20:42

People like these are selfish and totally unreasonable. Why should you feel bad about saying ‘no’ - if more people said ‘no’ we might have got over all this by now.

Let them sulk.

Tanjamaltija Tue 08-Jun-21 11:18:32

Spiteful? That's nasty emotional blackmail . "Look, we have to go out, for work / shopping / chores / church / whatever, so you won't be quarantining at all, since we are not all stuck here for the duration of your quarantine. We have a new baby, and she is vulnerable; and four extra people means more work for us, even if you do your part. Also, I do not think it is polite for you to be assuming we owe you this favour." End of story.

Newatthis Tue 08-Jun-21 11:18:18

I would not want these people as friends or family if they are bullying and manipulative. Why are they visiting, are they coming to see your new baby. Having house guests (even if only for the day) when a new baby has arrived can be very stressful for all. Stay strong and say No, No, No!!!

Purpledreamer Tue 08-Jun-21 11:16:26

Do they not realise they are quarantining for a reason? And that reason is so they don't infect others, so why would they even consider risking you and your family? Especially if the would-be quarantiners are family members thenselves, that's just plain selfish.

Tonucha Tue 08-Jun-21 11:14:56

Definitely say "NO!"
They should have had an ounce of common sense and delayed the visit, whatever the culture.
Make sure your wife is NOT upset. You two and your newborn are the priority, not someone else's feelings.

Mistyfluff8 Tue 08-Jun-21 11:14:45

Definitely do not have them .As a retired midwife I would say No People carry COVID without any symptoms Have they had both COVID jabs but you can still get COVID Your wife and you are busy learning to be new parents which is tough at the best of times and lack of sleep .Your wife needs rest not to entertain 4people Tell them to find a hotel for 10days Good luck to the 3off you

Whiff Tue 08-Jun-21 11:13:07

Agree with others say no. You and your family come first. As you have a new born you need time to get used to being parents and you are going to be exhausted. Think your relatives are being unreasonable expecting you to put them up. Quarantine means they are away from other people it's amazes me they think it doesn't apply to them.

Brownowl564 Tue 08-Jun-21 11:12:57

No, they are being completely and utterly selfish , stupid and irresponsible and I would tell them so, it is an unacceptable risk with a new baby.
No need to beat about the bush , this is a situation where you need to tell them straight and if they sulk, ignore them and enjoy your new baby

Purpledaffodil Tue 08-Jun-21 11:12:51

Speaking as someone who is likely to have 2 relatives quarantined here for 10 days in a 4 bedroomed house, although we are both vaccinated I feel apprehensive. But if I had a newborn here I would absolutely not allow it. Who knows what those wannabe visitors could have picked up at airports or planes x 2? Stand your ground!

Nannapat1 Tue 08-Jun-21 11:12:43

I don't see how they can fulfil quarantining requirements in your home, with you present, unless you have self contained premises within it.

RosieJ18 Tue 08-Jun-21 11:09:19

As a nurse and midwifery sister I say absolutely NOT under any circumstances should they quarantine in your home .
Shame on them for even asking and putting you all at risk .Don’t let this ruin such a special time you are RIGHT to refuse ?

esgt1967 Tue 08-Jun-21 11:08:18

The whole point of quarantine is that you are away from other people!!

RillaofIngleside Tue 08-Jun-21 11:06:23

Absolutely not, you are not being unreasonable at all. A new baby should be a time for you and your family, and it would put you all at risk - what if they actually had it?
I have 3 relatives staying with me at the moment for 8 weeks in a large house. They have already quarantined at a hotel and I don't have a baby. It is incredibly hard work even so, we will be lucky if we haven't all fallen out by the end of it. It's very intrusive having people with different ways, thoughts and habits in your home. Just say no!

sunnybean60 Tue 08-Jun-21 11:06:14

Just remember the reason you are saying no, new baby and wife. Then say I need to prioritize them and you can be honest when they ask, what should do? The reply, you will need to find somewhere else to stay.

ExD Tue 08-Jun-21 11:00:15

Oh dear, I read further back on the website and found this

Quarantine can include staying:
in your own home
with friends or family
in a hotel or other temporary accommodation that is not a managed quarantine hotel.

I hope they don't see the bit I've highlighted.

ExD Tue 08-Jun-21 10:53:25

That's a very enlightening website Meryl and well worth passing on. It sets the rules out very clearly. OP should definitely forward it to the 'visitors'.
The only thing it doesn't make clear is that the place of quarantine should not be with a resident family.