Not seeing family

How far away does your family live? In England we are now allowed to drive any distance for a day out so would that be possible for you ?

Or if they are too far for a day trip, how about meeting half way?

Of course if you are not in England none of that unfortunately applies yet.

There are always going to be people who can’t keep a rule to save their lives (which may be literally true at the moment). Fortunately I haven’t come across many, most people round here are being considerate and sticking to the guidelines. Children can easily forget, it’s the nature of the beast.

It’s bound to be getting to you, Abnuyc123. I’m in a similar position to yours (five little grandsons, one born in lockdown) and it’s hard. It’ll pass.

Thanks @Maggiemaybe

I know there will be others in the same boat but some days it’s just so difficult.

@Jennifereccles

I don’t think that would be okay, under the present rules.

You can meet one person outside your house as long as you socially distance. I think that it's time to apply common sense.

Abnuyc123, are you able to keep in touch by FaceTime, Zoom, etc, or even just by phone? Not the same, I know, if you are used to seeing them all the time, but it helps. I know others will say that this is the norm for many grandparents even without the current situation, and that's true.

You could arrange to meet up with one family member at a time in a public place, if you are in England and that works for you? I've been for a socially distanced walk with one of my daughters and it was lovely just to see her face. She's felt isolated since the baby was born, and said it did her the world of good.

I only heard yesterday that when meeting one person in an outside space it does not include that person having a child with them.

Sounds obvious now, one person is one person.

It seems lots of people were not aware of this as many grans have said they have met their grandchildren with their parents in a park.

Yes, we done Zoom and Facetime, texts, whatsapp and phone calls.

Yes, one person is one person.

For the first time we did a socially-distanced meet up with a dd and baby yesterday - she lives 1 1/2 hours away so we met at a country park halfway.
It wasn’t as bad as I’d imagined, being unable to give the very wee one a cuddle - she was very smiley with us anyway.

The two older but still little Gdcs were left at home with Sil and not told that dd was going to meet us - they’d have been very upset to be left behind, and distancing would have been a lot harder with them.

I am not criticizing Witzend and do not agree with the directive but that was the question a viewer asked ,"can they meet their daughter with a baby in the park" the answer was no, one person does not include a child, ridiculous in my opinion especially involving a single parent.

Sadly Abnuycl123 the guidelines say that that you can’t meet up in a park with your grandchildren, unless one of them is old enough to meet you alone. Young children need a parent with them and then it becomes two people, which is not allowed. However, many people display little or no understanding of social distancing, and it’s easy to see this when out and about, or even though the window. Other people think the rules don’t apply to them and that we should get back to normal. They are of course selfish individuals who don’t care less about how their behaviour could possibly spread the virus, with the inevitable result that we all have to remain in lockdown longer.

@maddyone

I know what the guidelines say, that's what's upsetting me, especially when others aren't following the rules.

We ARE now allowed to meet up with one person not from our household in an open space, therefore it is possible to meet family members separately on different occasions.

Of course the problem is some might interpret that as a green light for large gatherings, in which case the little freedom we have may be taken away.

How about the pictures of people flocking to the beach? Absolutely crazy! I can see more cases of the virus in 2 weeks time and us being slammed up for even longer.

I think it’s all starting to get to even the most sensible people now - we’ve been in lockdown for two months which is a long time to live ‘outside life of our normal. Yes of course it has been necessary but there seems to be no end it sight. Still not testing to see if we’ve had it/have any immunity. A lot of us could be living in great fear when we don’t actually need to. I’m normally very stable but im beginning to feel a bit unhinged now - I’m
Missing my family dreadfully. I’ve toured with breaking the rules and driving to see them but I don’t think I can. Low of people are worse off than me and I know that but I’m finding it hard now. Every day is the same, you wake up not knowing what day it is. Sending best wishes to you all - let’s hope for a breakthrough in some way soon.

I think social distancing has gone, people are doing their own thing and interpreting the rules however they want. Only social distancing now is when someone is controlling it ie supermarket queues. Don't get me started on cyclists, I am now at the stage I walk along a footpath with a bit of a swagger to confuse them and they gave to slow down. We need laws like the Netherlands: motorist are liable to cyclists and cyclists are liable to pedestrians. UK has nothing for pedestrians and bikes.

My evening walk was spoiled last night by seeing all the large groups of people sitting together.
On another thing am I being dense? Can I or can I not drive 69 miles to meet my DS and family in an open space with social distancing ? I haven’t even decided if I want to anyway but I’m a bit confused..

Commonsense interpretation is the significant thing though. Whilst strictly speaking, JenniferEccles, you are correct that you can meet one family member on four different occasions, it would be rather like doing your weekly shop in four trips. You increase any risk fourfold.
We're all hurting, missing our families. But the greatest act of love we can show is to do our best to keep them (and us) safe.

The rules say you can meet one person in the park or open space, not your whole family!

I am shocked by how quickly the stringent rules have been lifted in all countries. The minute the rules lifted people began to bend the rules and do as they please.

In Spain and Italy bars are open, we can now have cleaners in our house but not family.

I am waiting for the second spike!

But I could sit in the park 2 m away from a family of four that I don’t know ?

You could, Lucca. But you don't have to.

I am really hoping that even though so many people went to the parks and coast yesterday that we dont see a 'spike'. This would truely mean we have got it under control or at least covid is diminishing. Maybe then we will be able to meet our family, even in each other's gardens or for a picnic in the park etc.

This as been like this since lockdown so can only say as he eases the restrictions it will get worse. I have had workmen in my office but I can't see family. It goes on.....that after Boriss mess of a speech more people will be out and about. And of course with the weather so nice....be glad when we are through it.

Well, if you employ your mother as your children's Nanny, (in your own home), and your Dad as your Cleaner, you have now have both parents in your home all day, every day.!!!
No wonder people are kicking against the rules, when they are so contradictory.

How is that the fresh air in a public place is better than the fresh air in someones garden?? So, you can meet a person in the park (lots of other people may be nearby), but not have them come to your garden??

Do we just continue to obey these rules like Lemmings? And for how long? Silly to keep bleating about waiting for that vaccine, that will be a very long time away or maybe, never!!

Why are such young children (4 &l5 year old) being returned to school in sterile and mind-blowing conditions of a separate table each, no toys,no book, but not the Secondary school aged children at all?

Why are Eton, Harrow and their ilk not opening their hallowed doors until September, but the state schools are being told to do so in a couple of weeks time??

Why can we travel as far as we like, but not stay overnight away from home - even if we have our own campervan or caravan?

Why oh why - do we have a government who really does not know what it is doing - and has made such a mess of the whole thing - and yet, we talk about obeying their rules???