Tears after visit

I would love to sit in the garden or visit somewhere with my son and his family. Alas they live in USA so will not see them face to face for a long time, my real fear we will never see them again. We FaceTime regularly but it is not the same as being nearer physically.

I understand that the scientists advising the Gvt were against these new social bubbles, saying that the risk of infection is still too high but BJ over ruled them.

I can appreciate that it is frustrating for grandparents living with someone else but you have to try to appreciate how lonely and isolating it is for some people who live on their own. I'm OK because I'm happy to use Zoom and other video calls to see people and join in with social activities but not everyone is that confident.

I have a friend who I was really concerned about, she has just finished cancer treatment so was told to shield her self and was able to get food deliveries. Apart from a few phone calls, she saw no one bar the delivery driver for over 10 weeks and was getting rather low in mood. The change in her voice and energy after just one visit from a friend was amazing.

My husband and I haven’t seen our grandchildren since the middle of March nor are we likely to as my husband is working from home but fully shielded as he is on immunosuppressant drugs for his Crohns disease. My daughter told me last night that my gs who is 3 on 11th july cries after our ft calls . Im just heartbroken for all of us. And to top it all this morning I’ve tried to video call my 95 yr old mum who is in care home and it was useless because theyve lost her hearing aids. Even when she had them in previous calls they always forgot to change the batteries for her so I haven’t seen/ hugged/ spoken to my poor mum since the middle of march either . So alot of you people out there are very fortunate. I know i am too really coz we’re all healthy and thats the important thing isnt it?? Just gone through a bit if a sad moment , sorry ?

I went to my son and daughter in law's house for the first time in months,on Saturday,I gave my 10 year old granddaughter a hug,the first for a long time.We had a lovely time,sitting in the sun then going in for a meal.They had invited me round,it's worked out well,as my DIL's mum has been to her other daughter's house,where she has a grandson,so we each have our social bubble.It means we can only see other family members outdoors,I go for a walk with my daughter,I wish I could meet her properly,but we have to obey the rules.I feel sorry for grandparents who are a couple,they can't see grandchildren properly yet.

Think the single person rule was made on the assumption that these people just might be lonelier than those in relationships. We know there are exceptions but I feel it was a reasonable option to start easing us out of lockdown gently. I had the joy of meeting up with family last weekend under the distancing rules. Worked wonderfully for me and no hugs was not even remotely a problem. Just so glad to be in their insane and noisy company. We had a long riverside walk and I did miss the occasional hand joining during that but it was fleeting. I also feel there is a natural order of things when the dilemma of 'who to bubble' arises. Sometimes greater need takes preference over desire. We will all have a turn eventually. It is not a competition which makes life even more difficult for those we love. I live in hope.......

Totally agree to the pain and pleasure of a family visit. No hugging the DGC so sad. I also have the added "self pity" of living with my husband and so the other Granny to each family, who are single, have been about to hug the DGC under the bubble rule - I'm trying not to be jealous but it's hard - I understand the reason for the rules, and I don't envy anyone who had been totally on their own for the past 12 weeks. But I'm human, and jealous.

I've had odd visits to my family but no hugs yet they haven't been well despite a negative covid test I'm taking no chances, however I've told my gradgaughter I will squeeze her till she squeaks when I do see her. My elderly mother wants me to join her in a bubble while my daughter wants me to join her in a bubble. I'm in great demand

No but just think how awful it would be to unknowingly pass this horrible virus on to them, or to anyone else??? You see thats the thing isnt it? You just dont know...

It’s a guideline people !
Not a law
Doubt you will be arrested for cuddling your grandchildren..
Just use your common sense..

You can hug them if you are in their bubble. First hugs were on Saturday and it was great. They were a bit timid at first having been used to keeping their distance, but we are all good now!

Dont think we're supposed to be dipping in their pool tho?

As usual BoJo expects us to use our common sense to carry out his ridiculous and quite frankly cruel policies. It is not fair for any grandparent or child to be separated.
Just because you live with someone else does not mean you are not lonely and desperate to see the family. Like a lot of couples we have not seen our family for 14 weeks and it is very painful to see on the news one grandparent having hugs, kisses and staying over night. Not to mention all the crowds doing their own thing without protection. It just makes me wonder what the hell are we doing. Being married feels like we are being punished, whilst we are imprisoned in our own home, other people, using their 'common sense' do what they like. The question is who are the idiots?

I am apparently allowed to stay with a 'support bubble' family as i live alone with my sons who both have a disability(as do i) and my youngest son is only just turned 17- but the truth is i dont think its a good idea, and my 17 yr old wont even leave the house (nor his bedroom for long) as hes always very susceptible to any bug going around, and despite a flu jab every yr he gets it anyway! (Which each time effects him much worse) So he does not wish to do any of that and be at risk of covid 19, and i dont want to risk bringing anything back to house to him, even if i went without him-so i wont be doing it!(despite me missing all my AC & GC greatly, who mostly live an hour&a half's drive from me)Its not just about me!

Totally agree Jeannie59 and that puts it all into perspective, however it’s tantalising when they only live 10 minutes away and you are used to seeing them several times a week. I have friends in your situation and I know how hard it is for them.

Boris had a get out clause when he announced this "bubble" strategy...
he said
of course there will be anomalies

I watch Youtube,, on and off, and found Carl Vernon, now whilst I don`t agree with all he says it has certainly lightened my mood over this lockdown/virus

I have been isolated, living alone, dh died last November, plus extra 2 weeks before lockdown as I had tummy bug.

been out a couple of times with a very close friend, visited family 2/3 times. last Saturday went into their house!! ARGH! now I woke this a.m. accepting that I have anxiety, so now struggling with that,,

anyway,, have a listen to Carl Vernon if you have an open mind.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202006/medium-642229-blind-symbol-converted.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202006/medium-880410-hug.gif

@travelsafar Oh thank you so much for that, think yourself lucky I'VE NEVER SEEN MY GRANDSON and he's 20month old now

It doesnt apply to me either, with my family in u.s and oz
How I would love to hug my gorgeous families, and with the 2 youngest ones in oz birthdays coming up this month and next, I cant be there, the sadness continues for me and others in the same situation
Gp who haven't hugged their families for a few months are very fortunate that they can now do so

The rules are so unfair to grandparents who live together feel it doesn't make any sense or logic... Im one of the lucky ones i guess as i live alone so i can cuddle and help with childcare as my son and dil are both keyworkers and can stay over night as i live 50 miles from them. However i had to help a week ago as they had no one to look after their 9m old twins and the spiteful neighbours called the police who cleared it for me to be there as it was essential childcare i returned last week to resume my nanny duties and they called the police yet again who were fine with it then Boris announced it was ok 2 days later... Cant believe some people poking their nose into other peoples business without knowing the facts!!!

Since the lockdown was eased we have seen some of our grandchildren at a safe distance.
Others we haven't seen and its awful.
I just want to hug them.
I so miss them especially i was looking after the youngest full time.

We saw half the family for a walk last week, then on Saturday went round to sit in the garden. Granddaughter aged 7 asked if she could have a hug with Grandma, and her Mum said she shouldn’t really, to which she replied, “Theres not much point in them coming then!” They have been nowhere for 12 weeks and neither have we and I think common sense has to prevail! Feel guilty about not being able to see the other grandchildren though, apart from the fact that they are 2 hours away, both parents are working so the risk seems higher.

Saw my son and his wife today first time since March it was wonderful went in their pool after

No hugging for us as we are still meeting in the garden but so lovely to see our teenage GC and catch up with them. I think they just enjoyed the pleasure of speaking to somebody other than mum and dad. Now its back to work and school for some of them and they are looking to protect us again for a while until we see what happens.

It doesn't apply to me as my DGC live abroad but why deny two grandparent this special moments after months of sadness?

That sounds like a lovely day Coolgran65

It must have been a great morale booster for you all

That's lovely.