Still not met granddaughter

ReadyMeals With you all the way! Do what is best to protect the family; and in so doing in the interest of society as a whole.

Dougl How lucky to be living on the beautiful island of Jersey (Channel Island). My LH and I met there in 1959 - he had been a regular visitor to the island from the end of occupation in WW2. I was 60 when making my first visit to my brother in Australia, and my H 80 and in a wheelchair. My friend still visiting her son (2019) at 84; and an elderly cousin in his early 90s still visiting his son - last time also 2019. At 64 you are a spring chicken so look ahead and make travel plans to be implemented when at last free of the epidemic.

I really feel for you.Our only grandchildren and daughter live overseas.Before this year I would fly 20+ times and see them alot! My heart aches for them.When they are so small,or newborn in your case,its harder! Missing huge milestones and special moments.Technology is amazing and gets us through.Also as we dont know the end date it feels more daunting.Oh the cuddles we will all have with our precious children and Grandchildren in the future will be priceless.I have had melt downs and tears from myself and little Granddaughter crying on the phone for me...it is heartbreaking.The little ones wont remember all this but we will...One day it will end and we can be reunited with our loved ones

Reading all the above has helped me so much ... my daughter and son-in-law moved in with us last year to save money. I was with them when their darling baby daughter was born at Christmas so we were all together through lockdown. Suddenly because of the economy, covid etc. they've decided to relocate immediately to his home city in the EU where there's a large family support network. She's our only child and only grandchild, we could so easily guilt trip her into staying but if course won't. It's so hard, but comforting to see how many of us in the same situation. Thankyou Newatthis and courage to all.

I feel for you. My eldest son lives in Canada with my 3 grandchildren. It's very hard. Must be doubly so when you haven't even met the new baby. I think we just have to try to keep positive and cheerful. I think the virus will be gone or its effects will have weakened by spring, or we will have a vaccine. Then we will be able to visit our families again. Try to keep yourself cheerful by giving yourself treats and seeing people you can maintain contact with. I'm sure your family are just as unhappy. Is it possible to contact the other in laws if they are in the UK and form a little support group as they must be feeling the same?

To Newatthis - my heart goes out to you but sadly have no advice today

Ps ooops No wonder posters feel the need to say ‘be kind’ or similar.... but they shouldn’t have to.

So sad that people have to say be kind - I’m a newish member and am stunned to read some comments.
I was told to “Grow up” yesterday from TeacherAnne which made my husband and me laugh out loud, the irony of the comment alone leaves me almost speechless- almost!
No wonder poste

There's always someone worse off. I though it was awful not seeing my granddaughter, we missed her first birthday and her belated party, together with his dad for his 30th, was cancelled. It's getting close to a year when we law was them. I'm luckier though as I have a grandson who lives closer and we were able to bubble with them, although that was later in lockdown. We had a couple of video calls but he got so upset not to be able to come up so had to stop.

I think we need to be positive that the time will come when fewer people have serious cases of covid19 and it just becomes one of those winter bugs that does the ounds.

Doug1

I live in Jersey, in the Channel Islands and I have a 16 month old granddaughter in Australia and now a one month old in Dubai. We keep in touch but Oh how I long to give them a cuddle. Cant imagine getting to Australia at my age (64) and although Dubai may be a possibility the prospect of going through 3 Airports in the present situation is scary

When we are allowed to travel again, Dougl, book a flight and get to see your Grandchildren in Australia. Until the virus I visited my daughter and grandchildren. Definitely fly Emirates. Dubai is well signposted. I just look at the travel as part of the holiday. Seats are very comfy, food is good and lots of different diet choices and the entertainment system has films, games, tv series, music etc. Just follow the immigration guidelines as to what you can take in and make sure you have an electronic visa from the Australian immigration website. Look on it as an adventure. BTW, I’m 68.

For the OP. It’s just awful not being able to visit close family but as others have said, we have modern technology so at least we can see them. I often wonder how my parents and grandparents managed during WW1 and WW2 with the just not knowing, with bombs falling, food rationing. I just try to make the most of any contact we have and look forward to a more relaxed time.

Would it be possible for you and your daughter (with your grandchildren) to meet in another country with less restrictions?

I haven't seen any of my grandchildren since March. Not the rules, but as a family we have decided a) I and my husband are vulnerable and b) they shouldn't have to restrict their lives just to make sure they don't catch anything they can give to me. We are all agreed, and as much as I miss them, we're getting by with video calls.

I really feel for you Newatthis. I am in a similar position as my son and only grandchildren are in New Zealand and it is two years since I saw them. It is heartbreaking and I have never really managed not to be sad. I keep in touch via FaceTime and I write to the children every month and send them small gifts although the postage is sometimes more expensive than the contents of the parcel!
I console myself with the knowledge that, as a young family, they are having a far better life there than they would have in the UK . My son and daughter in law love their jobs, the children go to a wonderful multi cultural school and NZ has done so well in controlling the spread of the virus. As a mum and grandmother I am pleased for them and I never show them how sad I feel.

Newatthis

Thank you so much for all your kind words. It’s very difficult for many of us and we all hope that sometime soon we can get back to some sort of normality. It must be particularly difficult for those of you who have grandchildren nearby and can’t see them

You are kind to say that about those with family nearby but it doesn’t really compare given that as soon as this is over they will be able to see them whenever they like and not have to spend a fortune visiting possibly once a year if they are lucky !!

My twin granddaughters live in Australia with my daughter. We Facetime regularly and I feel I have a good relationship with them . I'm the sort of person who accepts things the way they are - at the moment none of us can change anything. Make the most of video calls but please always be cheerful and positive. I know it's very hard and I'm hoping we might get to see our families next year.

Dear 786wales,
Your pain jumped out and cut through me, you poor lass! It must be agonising to be so near and yet so far.
It will be no comfort to know that you are not alone, but at least you might feel less isolated to know that there are many other Grandparents who are tortured by being refused access to their grandchildren.
There is no easy solution. I will pray for you. I am not so unfortunate because I get occasional phone calls - few and far between - but I cannot imagine seeing my DGC as things are. I cannot travel and they cannot come to me.
I can only tell you what I do. I try to keep my mind on good things. I am lucky to have dogs, but they re getting old. I am house-bound. I try not to dwell on my family situation. I read and do some hobbies like my latest which is making jewellery from semi=precious stones.
I will think of you often now and all people in your position. Try to make your life as happy as you can, for your own sake. I do hope things improve.
With love, Elle. xx ??

Thank you so much for all your kind words. It’s very difficult for many of us and we all hope that sometime soon we can get back to some sort of normality. It must be particularly difficult for those of you who have grandchildren nearby and can’t see them

Newatthis Of course I shall be kind! I don't think any one on GN would feel anything but sadness for your situation! This is such a terribly sad situation. I am so sorry. It is so heartbreaking and I truly feel for you.
Yesterday I was labelled a Conspiracy Theorist by quoting a Professor from the Centre For Evidence Based Medicine: “The only ‘circuit break’ we need now is from among the Govt’s doom-mongering scientific advisors who specialise in causing panic and little else” says Prof Carl Henegan". I also quoted Bill Gates himself. But it does not mean that I have no compassion for your situation. Far from it!
I do believe it is safer for you not to travel - obviously you cannot anyway - but perhaps it might be a very small comfort to feel that by staying away you are helping to protect your dear little granddaughter. I wonder if you could start a memory box for her? little things, post cards, photos of what you baked, something you made, pressed flowers...

By the way, and it might cheer you up, The reason I quoted Prof Heneghan (from From the Centre For Evidence Based Medicine) might give you hope. Despite the scary predictions of the government Scientist, the truth is, the Office for National Statistics figures where all deaths are collated, show that the risk of flu is much greater than Covid and that Covid is keeping level and low. Indeed I understand that flu numbers are not bad compared with other years either. The govt's high prediction, of 50,000 cases apparently was based on calculating the rate in France and Spain, but they multiplied it as doubling every week and the truth is that in those countries it doubled in positive cases every three weeks. This is why we need to follow other scientists, look at the official figures ourselves and even read the press in other countries to get a balanced view. To my surprise, out of all the UK newspapers, it was the Sun which printed the Office for National Statistics figures and graphs!
I wondered if the govt exaggerate or invent these enhanced figures to get through to some very stupid people. But I think it is counter-productive. It frightens the decent people and makes the Professionals with knowledge in the field very angry about the lies. Once lies are detected, one has no faith in what they say. Some distinguished Scientists have called for their arrest and many others have written a letter to Boris Johnson.

So I am hopeful that things will improve soon. Meanwhile if we stick to the advice we shall surely beat this little monster. But please everybody, just do what is sensible but do not allow yourself to worry about this all the time!

And Newatthis, I do so hope and pray that a solution may be found so that you may see this precious child soon. Meanwhile, try to be brave my love, you are doing this to protect your dear granddaughter. xx ??

Please count your blessings... I have 3 GC who live 4 miles from me and my DIL didnt once get the little ones to video call me during lockdown. My son bought them over twice for 2 minutes whilst he collected letters that came to my house for him. I'm sitting alone and wish you well. I'd love to be able to get photos and videos..... please know how blessed you are.

I live in Jersey, in the Channel Islands and I have a 16 month old granddaughter in Australia and now a one month old in Dubai. We keep in touch but Oh how I long to give them a cuddle. Cant imagine getting to Australia at my age (64) and although Dubai may be a possibility the prospect of going through 3 Airports in the present situation is scary

I think Lucca sums it up, we don't know now if we will see our son and grandson this year as their visits to us have all been cancelled and we have a hotel booked for a November weekend but dread it not going ahead....we last saw them in December. Who knows and getting increasingly difficult to be positive but IT WILL GET BETTER. Listen to the Bob Marley song 3 Little Birds( or what I thought was called Don't Worry)

I hope it helps to know that you are not alone in this. I haven't seen my grandchildren for over a year. We see them on Skype but it's not the same and miss the close relationship we could have had if they lived nearby. We encouraged our sons to make the most of their opportunities and would not have dreamt of trying to hold them back. I just avoid those who moan at how worn out they are after looking after their grandchildren. They don't know how lucky they are.

Morning all, this situation we are all in affects each and everyone of us in a different way. During lockdown, (we are in Wales,) we couldn’t see our two granddaughters who live 25 miles away so we FaceTimed, sang songs, played games, bedtime stories, struggled along with my daughter trying to work from home, son in law was shielding, home schooling etc. Then Welsh gov said you can travel within a 5 Mile radius to meet family and friends- still no good to us- then eventually we were allowed to form household bubbles. We did this, had a fab summer holiday with them- they moved in for 3 weeks so my daughter and her husband could get some work done- both working from home- and I went back to childcare duties 2.5 days a week in school time.
Then on Monday my daughters area went into local lockdown from 6pm last night- I had to leave the little ones crying- broke my heart. BUT...... I take comfort in the fact that at least we got some time with them, had a great summer and made lots of wonderful memories. I truly feel for those of you out there who have yet to meet up and hug and kiss your families. My love and thoughts are with you all. We will get over this- it will go away or at least be manageable. We have to believe that??

I feel for you. My first grandchild is due in November I Australia and I would love to be there. I worry about my daughter although I know she has lots of support. Her sister was hoping to be with her as she is in New Zealand but she isn’t allowed to go either. I will be on pins when the time comes.

We are in the same position. My daughter and partner live in Western Australia, they had their first baby at the end of May. We last saw my daughter and her partner in September 2018 and no chance of seeing them or our new granddaughter any time soon. I've not seen my UK grandchildren either since the beginning of March. Sadly this is our life now but we live in hope. Our eighteen month old granddaughter in Surrey doesn't recognise us on face to face calls now, she was just twelve months old the last time we saw her. Her older brother who is seven chats regularly and my granddaughter who is four and just started school (a different family) chats every weekend. I have bad days when I wonder how this will end but try my best to be optimistic and keep busy. ?to all grandparents in the same position.

I have nothing to offer you but sympathy. But take plenty of that. so many people are affected in so many ways by this virus. We have to grit our teeth until it's over.